THE MOVIE

Wong Kar Wai, you either love him or sit there scratching your head wondering what all the fuss is about. While, granted, there is some movie magic at play in his work, it is often at the expense of something much more important to a film, coherency. Art for arts sake is all well and good but we’re talking films here, not paintings, which when I think about it is a medium this film has a lot of similarities with.

The story follows an out of work pulp fiction novelist whose life begins to parallel one of his most consuming works, a science fiction story about a train ride to another time. Burnt by a lost love Chow Mo Wan begins a series of affairs, trying to recapture the magic he once experienced. However, he soon discovers that what may exist in fantasy, may not exist in reality.

This film had potential but its center is so wrapped up in layers of ‘symbolism’ and other trimmings that anything that could have been brought out isn’t. Yes you walk out of this film knowing what has happened and you can get an understanding of the story, however it is unfulfilling as I wanted to know why they didn’t just tell the story and instead had to dance with ambiguity and dilute the effect. Still, I know Wong Kar Wai fans love this sort of thing so I shall leave it to them.

THE TRANSFER

Video:

The 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen looks pretty darn nice. There is an interesting color palate at work here and the video transfer does a good job of capturing it fully. The scenes set in the ‘real’ world have an antique look to them, as if they have been given a green wash. They appear rather dream like and old fashioned which reflects the timelessness of the film. The scenes on the train have a sort of hyper reality to them and the vibrant colors and images leap off the screen. Nice.

Audio:

We get a DTS 5.1 and a DD 5.1 track on this DVD. Both of them doing a wonderful job. It is always strange with films like this to get the big soundtracks and to tell you the truth they are not fully warranted. But that said they do help to create a wonderful ambiance that helps to sweep you along into the film. No issues with music, sound or sync either.

THE EXTRAS

This DVD is part of the fabulous new directors series and comes with an audio commentary by Wong Kar Wai expert Stephen Teo. Mildly interesting and a tad boring for those who don’t worship at the alter of Wai but for those who do I have no doubt that it is endlessly fascinating.

SUMMARY

As I said above this film is okay and could have been a whole lot better. If you are after some challenging cinema and are willing to essentially ‘work’ for things then this may be worth checking out. Undoubtedly made with an artists hand that is both a blessing and a curse.

Technically the DVD is excellent and continues the fine tradition of these directors series DVDs from AV/Madman.