I watched the Criterion version of In The Mood For Love over the weekend.

Words can’t really describe this movie, nor can the graphic above, taken from the movie’s not-so-great web site, which also won’t give you any idea how beautiful and sensual this movie is.

The textures throughout this movie are what put it beyond description. I think director Wong Kar-Wai and his DP have an amazing sense of color and composition; every shot looks like a painting to me. I kept wanting to reach out and touch the sets, they were so well lit and decorated with such lush textures. The colors are beautifully saturated throughout, but by no means overbearing. A spot of bright color here and there mostly, but in key scenes when the emotions run high, the whole screen is soaked in deep red. There’s a lot of sexuality in this movie, even though there are no traditional sex scenes, or even any kissing that I can remember.

Oh, and did I mention the music? The running musical theme is a simple violin line that is so nostalgic and classic with a Chinese twist. It is central to the vibe of this movie. Very nice.

The main characters, Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, hardly touch each other as their love grows. There are frequent lingering moments: someone staring out the window longingly or smoking a cigarette. I think of these as the main characters’ attempts at escape, if only mentally. They’re wanting to make a different reality come true, a reality in which they can be together. The success is limited… so there’s a real sense of restraint to this movie that’s key. You see it in their clothes (all very fitted), in their mannerisms, and in their conversation. Yet it’s very relaxed in its pace. An interesting combination.

The patterns in this movie are SO GREAT. Everywhere: the wallpaper, the dresses, the ties. End papers. They remind me of The Royal Tenenbaums and Amelie.

I need to re-read my copy of Understanding Movies so I can write a real, coherent movie review (a valuable skill!)