12-29-2025, 12:16 AM
Wong Kar Wai’s first Hollywood effort. Not sure why it’s taken me so long to see this. Norah Jones is the lead, her first feature film lead role; she’s on my list of acts I’d love to see live but still haven’t made it there yet. She plays opposite some major talent - Jude Law, David Strathairn, Rachel Weitz, & Natalie Portman. Norah is the thread that ties all their stories together as she leaves NY and travels across the country waitressing & bartending. It’s another existential exploration of broken hearts and loneliness typical of WKW.
He pulls out all his camera tricks, oddly composed shots looking through windows and around corners as if you’re a peeping tom in the characters’ lives. His color scheme isn't up snuff here, not the usual dazzle of brilliant contrast and moody palettes. And something about this film just doesn’t come together. It’s almost too mundane, making the romantic undertones feel less poignant. There are still some fine performances and beautifully wrought aching passion, but it drifts a little too much and fails to compensate with colorful visuals. Still an interesting film, yet hard to compare again the ItMfL/DoBW/2046 triumvirate.
Norah slays. She is so watchable, putting out the authentic vibe because she’s never trained to be an actor. Some of her music is used too, in the beginning and at the end credits, which I watched through just to hear her song.
Only D00M recommended for WKW fans, which besides me is only cf methinks.
He pulls out all his camera tricks, oddly composed shots looking through windows and around corners as if you’re a peeping tom in the characters’ lives. His color scheme isn't up snuff here, not the usual dazzle of brilliant contrast and moody palettes. And something about this film just doesn’t come together. It’s almost too mundane, making the romantic undertones feel less poignant. There are still some fine performances and beautifully wrought aching passion, but it drifts a little too much and fails to compensate with colorful visuals. Still an interesting film, yet hard to compare again the ItMfL/DoBW/2046 triumvirate.
Norah slays. She is so watchable, putting out the authentic vibe because she’s never trained to be an actor. Some of her music is used too, in the beginning and at the end credits, which I watched through just to hear her song.
Only D00M recommended for WKW fans, which besides me is only cf methinks.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse
