Chung King Express directed by Wong Kar-wai Review by Gary W. Tooze |
To
free his mind from production and editing of the epic swordsman film set
in ancient
China, 'Ashes of Time', director Wong Kar-wai took some time out to
write and direct a roller coaster ride of life's pivotal moments
colliding through romance, emotion, fateful meetings and memories.
Infused with kinetic camerawork and charmingly hip high spirits, he
called it 'Chung King Express'.
A few times in life you have quintessential moments that you only reflect on in memories unaware at the time of their significance in your life. Chung King Express is filled with these rare occasions, so crucial that they are recognized by us the viewer, if not by the characters acting out their own narrative. |
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Set in Hong Kong with four characters and two separate tales (aptly called Part 1 - 'Chung King House' and Part 2 - 'Midnight Express' ). The two stories have a few links; the small Hong Kong snack bar of the second title, and that two of these characters are lovelorn cops, who we know as Badge 663 (Tony Leung) and Badge 223 (Takeshi Kaneshiro). Also, both the female characters in the film appear allured by western culture, one a drug dealer (played by Brigette Lin), the other a flighty, mysterious waitress in the snack bar (Faye Wong). | |
| Badge 223 expresses the innocent, unflagging hope that his breakup with the never seen ex, who we know only as May, is a temporary situation. He gauges the time till he deems it officially concluded by expiry dates on tinned pineapple. He resolves the closure by devouring a months worth and promptly throwing up. He waxes philosophic comparisons to memory and expiration dates of food prompting the tagline: "If my memory of her has an expiration date, let it be 10,000 years...". |  |
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| A charismatic Chinese superstar of over 100 films Brigitte Lin dawns a wig and sun glasses making Chung King Express her final film. Often compared to Greta Garbo she simply quit the business. Her drug dealing character flirts with a dangerous lifestyle and involves herself in a shoot-up with a group of Indians before making a casual and brief entrance into Badge 223's life. She serves as a fitting and memorable distraction for him on his 25th birthday. | ||
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Faye Wong is the biggest pop-star in Asia and Chung King Express was her first film. She steals the show completely. As Quentin Tarantino remarks in the extras wrap-up on the DVD, he doesn't know anyone that didn't develop a huge crush on her after watching this film. Her cute and complex character sneaks into Badge 663's apartment everyday to clean it up and make subtle decorating changes often while bouncing around to the music of 'California Dreamin' or her own version of the Cranberries "Dreams". Being an officer, Badge 663's lack of observational skills only seem to endear this bizarre escapade to us. |
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| Wong
Kar-wai clearly rejects the structured approach of other Hong Kong film
styles and has made bold steps as an Asian "New Wave" auteur, often being
compared to Godard. Shots blurred with smoke-filled poor lighting, bustling
activity and neon signs as a backdrop, he spins a fresh, seductive and
often unpredictable film. It is never directionless, although stylistically
giving that impression. He appears to have made the exact film he
intended, but many will reject this as an experiment gone awry.
Personally, I loved the obsessive nature of the characters and the fun,
artistic feel that seems impossible to put into terms. Masterpiece,
maybe not... but daring and unique - positively.
I find much trouble rating the film, as I am aware
of the disparaging viewpoints regarding it... but still feel it worthy
of |
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| When
Tarantino and Miramax announced the formation of a new distribution
company called
Rolling Thunder, Chung King Express was their first chosen film.
Tarantino gives a short prologue and post film notes, admitting in interviews to crying while watching it... only because "I'm just so happy to love a movie this much.'' I can associate, seeing this as a defined example of a film buff's film. |
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FILM and DVD Details |
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The
new Rolling Thunder Region 1 DVD is better than the HK Region 0 for
picture quality and sound, but still a far cry from perfect although
sporting an anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer. There are numerous visible cue
blips and hairs affecting the picture quality at the beginning but the
sound is quite clear throughout. Neither affect the enjoyment of the
film and Tarantino's comments prove nothing more than fanboy-ish with a couple
of neat anecdotes thrown in. There are a number of trailers for other
Rolling Thunder efforts and two trailers for this film; a domestic and
international one. Overall I give it a thumbs up and  out
of  . |
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| Complete credited cast:
Brigitte Lin .... Woman in blonde wig |
Technical
Information
Release Information: Aspect Ratio(s): Discographic Information: Edition Details:
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