. Everyone talks about its nostalgia, about its music, about its photography, about Maggie Cheung’s cheongsam, about Tony Leung’s title of movie emperor, about Wong Kar Wai... but nothing People have talked about the plot of "In the Mood for Love", at least no one has discussed it in depth. Of course everyone understands that this is a story about an extramarital relationship, but no one has discussed the context of the story in detail. This is very sad for a movie. After all, the plot is the most basic element of a movie. But Wong Kar-wai's movies are too special. Many non-Wong Kar-wai fans think that Wong Kar-wai's movies have no plot at all, and Wong Kar-wai fans are proud to understand the plot of Wong Kar-wai's movies. And "In the Mood for Love", its film language is so rich and concise that even Wong Kar-wai fans seem at a loss when facing it. If you don't understand the plot of "In the Mood for Love", then you can't really appreciate the feelings it expresses. In fact, the plot of "In the Mood for Love" is not complicated. There are probably three reasons why it is so obscure: The
first reason is Wong Kar Wai. "In the Mood for Love" is a movie whose plot is driven by Tony Leung's expression. Such a movie may be unprecedented. If you are willing to watch "In the Mood for Love" again, I suggest that you leave it alone and pay attention to Tony Leung's expression. Even better, many important plots of "In the Mood for Love" are explained in those MTV-style scenes. I am afraid that when these scenes appear, most of the audience take the opportunity to take a nap or revel in the wonderful soundtrack, and have no time to pay attention to the actions of the heroes and heroines on the screen. Tony Leung's performance is the most important factor in "In the Mood for Love".
The second reason is Zhang Shuping, the "scissors hand". The lens of "In the Mood for Love" has reached the point where one shot is missing and there are too few. In "In the Mood for Love", Zhang Shuping not only puts on Maggie Cheung the cheongsam that can be worn, but also cuts out all the shots that can be cut. NS. For example, Zhou Muyun asked Su Lizhen for dinner, only two shots, Wang Ma answered the phone and met in the restaurant. There is no transition in between. But if you change to a general director and editing, this may require the following set of shots to explain the matter clearly: the bell rings, Wang Ma answers the phone and asks Su Lizhen to answer the phone, Su Lizhen answers the phone and talks to Zhou Muyun on the phone, and goes to the restaurant to meet. As another example, Su Lizhen went to Zhou Muyun's house to borrow a newspaper and talked about martial arts novels:
Zhou Muyun: I have a lot of martial arts novels, I want to show them to you.
Su Lizhen: No need, I will trouble you next time, thank you.
Zhou Muyun: No thanks.
The next shot was already another day. Su Lizhen was wearing another cheongsam and carrying a stack of martial arts novels to return the book. There is still no transition in between. Borrow newspapers and return books. So the film lens is too simple, which is quite obscure for most audiences who are not sensitive to the language of the film. The plot of "In the Mood for Love" could have been made into a Qiong Yao drama, but under Zhang Shuping's scissors it became a seemingly slow but very compact movie.
The third reason is Maggie Cheung. Her light was so dazzling that all eyes were attracted by her. When he and Tony Leung appeared in the movie together, everyone only paid attention to Maggie Cheung and forgot to pay attention to what Tony Leung was doing. Many plots were missed because they didn’t see Tony Leung’s eyes. Only Maggie Cheung remained in the memory. And her cheongsam. Of course Maggie Cheung cannot be blamed, she is indeed excellent. Have you ever noticed the look in Tony Leung's eyes at this time?
In short, the obscurity of "In the Mood for Love" is not in its plot, but in its amazing film skills. So please don't say that "In the Mood for Love" is a movie whose form is greater than its content. Its content is very rich, but it is hidden too secretly.
"In the Mood for Love" tells a story about revenge. Please don't get me wrong. This is not a thriller. Of course, "In the Mood for Love" is a love movie, but most of its length is about Tony Leung's revenge. Perhaps it is more appropriate. The author believes that what "In the Mood for Love" describes is the contradiction between love and hate in the process of revenge and the subsequent confession. This may be too far from what you know about "In the Mood for Love": "Isn't "In the Mood for Love" a story of extramarital affairs?" Let us return to the plot of "In the Mood for Love" to re-experience Wang Jiawei. This puzzling story: It
was an embarrassing relative. She kept her head down in shame and gave him a chance to approach. He didn't have the courage to approach. She turned around and left.
Zhou Muyun and Su Lizhen moved together and became neighbors. Su and Tuesu discovered that Mrs. Zhou had an affair with Mr. Chen (Su’s husband), but they were not completely convinced until Zhou saw that Su had a purse that was the same as his wife, so they took Su Yue out for a meal. , Explain the words.
Su Lizhen: "I don't know how they started..." So they each acted as each other's spouse and began to "show" Mrs. Zhou and Mr. Chen "How did they start".
One of "Performances":
Su Lizhen: If you don't go home so late, your wife doesn't talk about you?
Zhou Muyun: I'm used to it, she doesn't care about me... how about you? Your husband doesn't talk about you either?
Su Lizhen: My husband has already fallen asleep.
Zhou Muyun: ...Don't go back tonight.
Su Lizhen: My husband would not say that.
Zhou Muyun: What did he say?
Su Lizhen: Anyway, he won't.
(The two came again)
Su Lizhen: If you don't go home so late, your wife doesn't say you?
Zhou Muyun: I'm used to it, she doesn't care about me... how about you? Your husband doesn't talk about you either?
Su Lizhen: I think he has fallen asleep long ago.
(Su touches Zhou's coat with his hand)
Su Lizhen: I really can't tell.
Zhou Muyun: I know... now that it doesn't matter who speaks first.
Su Lizhen: Do you know what kind of person your wife is?
(Su leaves Zhou and leaves) A
few days later, Zhou and Su ate in a restaurant. This is the paragraph that best reflects Zhang Shuping's "quick knife hand" style. Have you ever noticed that they actually ate two meals in this paragraph!
The first meal:
Su Lizhen: You can help me, I want to know what your wife likes to eat.
Zhou Muyun: .... What does your husband like to eat? (Zhou put some condiments in the plate for Su).
Zhou Muyun: Are you used to eating?
Su Lizhen: Your wife is quite spicy...
Pay attention to the
second meal of Zhou and Su's costume : (The camera turns, it is actually another meal after a while!) Subtle montage: As soon as the camera turns, Su has changed into a cheongsam!
Look at their dialogue again:
Su Lizhen: Why call my company today?
Zhou Muyun: I just want to hear your voice.
Su Lizhen: You look like my husband...slick.
Their relationship seems to have gone further, and they are still "performing" Mrs. Zhou and Mr. Chen, wanting to know how they got here today.
Look at the next scene:
(Zhou and Su in the car)
Su Lizhen: Why don't you call me?
Zhou Muyun: I'm afraid you are upset.
Su Lizhen: Then don't call me again.
It looks like I went home after eating, but in fact, it should be a lot of days later. Their relationship has also undergone subtle changes. (Maybe it's still "showing"). They "changed" their clothes again (Is Zhou's eyes more and more disturbing?) Zhou received a letter from his wife from Japan, Zhou and Su realized that Mrs. Zhou and Mr. Chen were already together Live in Japan.
Su Lizhen: "Guess what they are doing now?" The second
scene of
"Performance":
What they are doing now. There was originally a sex scene here, which was cut off by Wong Kar-wai, leaving only this one shot, which is well cut! You can understand that Zhou and Su did nothing, and this "performance" did not "act". In Su Lizhen's words, "we will not be the same as them."
Zhou Muyun fell ill, and after he recovered, Zhou and Su met on the street. Zhou invited Su to write martial arts novels together. Zhou Muyun was very thoughtful before he started writing. Zhou and Su co-wrote martial arts novels. Mrs. Sun’s family and Mr. Gu’s family came back for dinner. Mr. Gu was drunk. Su was afraid of causing gossips from neighbors, so he dared not go out at Zhou’s house. The next night, she changed into last week’s wife’s shoes and pretended to come back from outside. So, Su Lizhen's slippers stayed at Zhou Muyun's house.
Let me talk about Zhou Muyun's psychological journey first. At the beginning, he was curious and wanted to know "how did they start", and Su Lizhen had the same disease. Later, as the situation of Mrs. Zhou and Mr. Chen became clearer, curiosity turned into jealousy, and hatred began to rise, he was about to retaliate! Can't find Mr. Chen, hate the house and Wu, he can only retaliate against Su Lizhen. What is the best way to avenge a woman? Let her fall in love with you, and then abandon her.
After Su Lizhen left, Zhou Muyun smoked a cigarette at home. This unnoticed shot Wong Kar-wai used his classic intermittent slow motion, which was intentional. It can be seen that Zhou Muyun was here to brew his "revenge plan": conquer and then abandon it.
A prerequisite for Zhou's plan to be implemented is that he also felt that Su Lizhen started to like him a little bit. This can be seen from the previous section that Su cooked sesame paste for Zhou when he was sick. Even if Zhou didn't know that Su was intentional, Zhou should be able to feel something from Su's reaction when he met Su after his illness.
Zhou's plan is simple: borrowing the name of writing a novel, renting a room outside, and continuing to invite Su to write together to create a more convenient environment for the two to be together. Unfortunately, Su Lizhen did not accept his proposal.
Take a look at their conversation: Su Lizhen: Why invite me to dinner for no reason?
Zhou Muyun: I received the manuscript fee today, but you refused to ask for the copy, so I had to invite you to dinner.
Su Lizhen: What does it really matter to me? I'm just playing rim drums next to me.
Zhou Muyun: I might write one more newspaper in a while...Someone called for an appointment today.
Su Lizhen: Really? So anxious, are you able to deal with it?
Zhou Muyun: So I want to find a place.
Su Lizhen: What are you doing?
Zhou Muyun: Write things. It will be more convenient for you to come here in the future. Although there is nothing between us, I don't want others to misunderstand. What do you think?
Su Lizhen: Why waste money? In fact, it's all written by yourself, so why bother?
"Why bother?" Su Lizhen didn't take this step.
Zhou's plan fell through. After the plan failed, Zhou Muyun looked at Su Lizhen's back gloomily (below) after showing a brief expression of disappointment (top).
Zhou Muyun needs to remedy his plan, and his remedy plan is also very simple: play missing. Because he believed that Su Lizhen wanted to be with him, but she didn't have the courage to do so, she needed to be "pushed". So Zhou simply hid, so that instead of allowing Su Lizhen to take the initiative to find him. Therefore, Zhou Muyun "hide" in his new residence. First looked at the window, and then sneered!
Zhou Muyun had "disappeared" for a few days. Su called Zhou's unit. Zhou's colleagues didn't know where he was. Su was very anxious. Finally, Zhou called Soda:
Su Lizhen: "Hey...where are you?"
Su Lizhen rushed to Zhou's new residence very anxiously. And what about Zhou Muyun in his new residence at this time? Standing calmly at the window. He lowered his head and smiled after hearing the doorbell that Su pressed. I can't tell if it's a sneer or a wry smile, I think it's both. The sneer was because the plan was successful, and the bitter smile was because maybe he was hesitant now: "Is this kind of revenge necessary?" Did he also realize that there is actually another feeling for Su Lizhen hidden in his heart?
After meeting Zhou (cut by Zhang Shuping or Wang Jiawei), Su came out of Zhou's room:
Su Lizhen: I will see you tomorrow.
Zhou Muyun: No, I will rest for a while.
Su Lizhen: It's okay, just a while, I'll buy you something to eat, what would you like to eat?
Zhou Muyun: Whatever.
Su Lizhen: Well, I'm leaving, you should rest early.
Zhou Muyun: Go back and give me a call... You don't need to speak, just ring it three times.
Su Lizhen:...Okay.
Zhou Muyun:...I didn't expect you to come.
Su Lizhen:...We will not be like them... See you tomorrow.
Su Lizhen said: "We won't be the same as them."
But...
Su Lizhen, who was about to leave, stopped at the end of the corridor for a long time. The camera turns (again a typical Zhang's montage):
In Zhou Muyun's new residence, Zhou Muyun is standing in front of the window, still with that gloomy look. Behind him, Su Lizhen is writing. Although Su Lizhen said "We will not be the same as them", the fact is just the opposite. She stayed and helped Zhou write novels. Zhou's remedial plan was successful, and Su Lizhen fell into Zhou's "trap". Su Lizhen can be said to be immersed in happiness at this time, but she did not know that Zhou Muyun was retaliating against her. The more she loved Zhou Muyun, the more sure Zhou Sheng could be. She was innocent like a child. And what about Zhou Muyun at this time? As he wrote, he glanced at Su secretly. Still this look!
In Zhou's new home, the two imagined that each other was their spouse, and they had a conversation imitating Mr. Zhang's return from Japan.
Su Lizhen: Tell me honestly...Is there a woman out there?
Zhou Muyun: You have something wrong... who told you?
Su Lizhen: Don't care who it is, is there a woman outside of you?
Zhou Muyun: ...No.
Su Lizhen: Don't lie anymore, you look at me... you look at me... I ask if there are any women out there?
Zhou Muyun: Yes...
(Su Qing brushes Zhou's face)
Zhou Muyun:...What's the matter with you? He has already admitted in front of you that there is a woman out there. Are you still beating so lightly?
Su Lizhen: I never thought he would answer like that... I don't know what to do.
Zhou Muyun: Let's do it again.
(The two came again)
Su Lizhen: Tell me honestly...Is there a woman out there?
Zhou Muyun: You have something wrong... who told you?
Su Lizhen: Leave it alone, do you have a woman?
Zhou Muyun: ...No.
Su Lizhen: Don't lie to me, tell me if there are any women out there!
Zhou Muyun: Yes...
(Su stares at Zhou for a moment, silently)
Zhou Muyun: Are you okay?
Su Lizhen: I didn't expect to be so sad. (Crouching on Zhou's shoulder and crying)
Zhou Muyun: Just try it, it's not true... even if it is true, he won't admit it... it's okay, don't be like that.
(Su still crying on Zhou's shoulder)
"I didn't expect it to be so sad."-This was actually a pavement for the last "performance".
Su Lizhen often went home late, which was seen by the landlord Mrs. Sun, who was scolded by Mrs. Sun. So Su called Zhou.
Su Lizhen: I don't think I will come over for a while.
Zhou Muyun: Why?
Su Lizhen: When I came back last night, Mrs. Sun lost a few words.
Zhou Muyun: What did she say?
Su Lizhen: I don't want to mention it... We still rarely see each other recently.
In this way, Zhou Muyun's plan, which was proceeding smoothly, suffered a major setback because of Mrs. Sun's interference. Can't see Zhou Muyun, Su Lizhen is worried at home. At this time, Zhou Muyun, his expression was about to fall apart! The plan can't be frustrated anymore, Zhou Muyun will use his "killer trick". Zhou called Su's unit to find her, but Su did not answer the call. It rained heavily, and Zhou met Su who was sheltering from the rain.
Su Lizhen: ...Have you looked for me?
Zhou Muyun: I thought your colleague forgot to tell you... I wanted to buy a ferry ticket from you.
Su Lizhen: Are you going to another place?
Zhou Muyun: A Bing sent a lot of letters, saying that there is a shortage of manpower on his side, and he asked me to go over and help him.
Su Lizhen: How long do you plan to go?
Zhou Muyun: I don't know, let's talk about it when we go.
Su Lizhen: Why did you want to go to Singapore all of a sudden?
Zhou Muyun: Change the environment...save to listen to so many gossips.
Su Lizhen: ...we know that there is nothing wrong with it?
Zhou Muyun: Originally, I thought so too, so I am not afraid of what others say...I believe that I will not be the same as them...But it turns out that I will...I know you will not leave your husband...I Want to go away.
Su Lizhen: I never thought you would really like me.
During the conversation, Zhou Muyun's eyes were always erratic, she didn't dare to look directly at Su Lizhen, and she was very guilty; and Su Lizhen seemed at a loss at the news that Zhou was leaving. Originally, she herself was afraid of gossip and didn't dare to see Zhou, but when she heard the news that Zhou was leaving, she persuaded Zhou to "we know that there is nothing we can't do."
"I never thought you would really like me." On the contrary, it was Su Lizhen herself who did not expect to really like the other party. She was still as naive as a child in the dark.
The conversation continues:
Zhou Muyun: I didn’t think about it... before I just wanted to know how they started, now I know... a lot of things came without knowing it... I thought I was nothing... But I'm starting to worry about when your husband will come back... It's better not to come back... I know I don't think so right... Can you do me a favor? (Zhou Muyun's words are exactly what Su Lizhen's thoughts are, "A lot of things came unknowingly...I thought I was nothing...but I started to worry about when your wife will come back...")
Su Lizhen: What?
Zhou Muyun: I want to be psychologically prepared.
Su Lizhen: ...
So they started to "act" again. Their "act" was when Mr. Chen returned from Japan and they were forced to break up. Zhou Muyun's "I want to be psychologically prepared" means that he wants to experience the feeling of being forced to break up when Mr. Chen returns. And his real purpose is not to let herself, but to let Su Lizhen experience losing her mood in advance! Let Su Lizhen experience the tremendous pain of losing herself, so that she can completely fall in love with herself, this is Zhou Muyun's "killer"!
"Performance" III:
Su Lizhen: Can you stop looking for me in the future?
Zhou Muyun: Your husband is back?
Su Lizhen: Yes... Am I very useless?
Zhou Muyun: Not really... Then I won't find you anymore... Take good care of your husband.
During the "performance", Zhou Muyun's eyes were still very guilty.
The "virtual" break up
Su Lizhen, who is desperate after the "virtual" breakup. Zhou's goal succeeded. Undoubtedly, Su has deeply felt the pain after the breakup.
The camera turned:
"The performance" was over, Zhou Muyun came back, and Su Lizhen cried bitterly in Zhou's arms.
In the last performance, Su Lizhen said, "I didn't expect to be so sad before." But this time, she was undoubtedly more sad. She has realized that losing Zhou Muyun may be the thing she can't afford the most. And Zhou Muyun, although he was comforting Su: "Don't be like this... Don't be stupid, just talk... Don't cry... This is not true..." And his expression, the pleasure of planning success and An inexplicable loss and vague anxiety appeared on his face together. I don't know which kind of feeling is more in his heart? Is he a little uneasy of conscience? Did he suddenly realize that he had fallen in love with Su Lizhen too? After all, they had pityed each other for the same illness, after all, Su Lizhen loved him so much.
(In the
returning car) Su Lizhen: I don't want to go home tonight...
She leaned her head on Zhou's shoulder, Zhou held Su's hand hesitantly, and happiness returned to her face. She completely fell in love with Zhou Muyun, Zhou's plan was only the last step. If Su Lizhen was abandoned at this time, it would undoubtedly be the biggest blow to her. At least 99% of the audience focused on Su Lizhen when they saw this picture, but did not pay attention to Zhou Muyun's expression. His face is getting more and more gloomy, does he regret it?
(In Zhou's home)
Radio: Chen Meiyi ordered her good friends Quan Tsai and Wenwen, wishing her honey luck a success, and ordered Mrs. Zhang, who is in the same room, to listen to her, wishing her a happy family... There is one who works in Japan. Mr. Chen clicked this song for his wife to appreciate and wish her happy birthday and success in her work.
Now please enjoy the "In the Mood for Love" sung by Zhou Xuan.
This is their last "In the Mood for Love" together.
(Su’s company...the phone rang, Zhou Muyun called)
Zhou Muyun: It’s me...if there is one more ferry ticket...will you go with me?
"If there is one more ferry ticket ...Will you go with me?" This is the last step of the plan. Zhou Muyun first invited Su Lizhen to go with him, and then left without saying goodbye and abandon her! At this time, Zhou Muyun, in front of the window of his residence, first had a calm face and thought for a long time, and then smiled again. (It's still the same. The pleasure of revenge and the loss of Su Lizhen are intertwined on his face, making it difficult to tell whether this is a bitter smile or a sneer. Undoubtedly, Zhou Muyun realized that he himself fell in love with Su Lizhen. But the matter has come to this. Can it be restored?) After looking at this room full of memories for the last time, he turned and left. At this time, Su Lizhen, who was still in the dark, was coming from home, and when she arrived at Zhou's residence, she realized that people had gone to the building, and she realized that she had been ruthlessly abandoned.
"If there is one more ferry ticket...Will you go with me?" She meditated on the last words Zhou Muyun left her.
One year later, Singapore
The plot in Singapore was originally very simple, but Wong Kar-wai used flashback to film the story. If you follow the normal sequence, the story goes like this: Zhou Muyun is already an editor at Singapore’s Sin Chew Daily. The divorced Su Lizhen came to Singapore, quietly "dive" into Zhou Muyun's home in Singapore, smoked a cigarette and left her own lip print on it, and then made a silent call to Zhou Muyun. Before she left, she Take away the pair of slippers left at Zhou Muyun's house a year ago. Is this a small "retaliation" against Zhou Muyun? These slippers were brought to Singapore by Zhou Muyun as the only souvenir that Su left him. I think from these slippers, Su should also be able to feel that Zhou's feelings for her are more than just hatred.
Perhaps Su Lizhen had forgiven Zhou Muyun just by relying on these slippers.
When Zhou returned home, he found that the slippers were missing, and then found the cigarette butt with the lipstick on it. He knew that Su had been here, and that call was made by her at his house.
(Wang's Guardian did this: First, Zhou was looking for something? When he found a cigarette butt, everyone was confused, and then filmed this story in order.)
Four years later,
Zhou Muyun in Hong Kong returned to his former residence and had a relationship with the mother who was already a mother. Su Lizhen passed by.
That era has passed, and everything that belongs to that era no longer exists.
In the same year,
Zhou Muyun confided his secrets into a hole in a pillar in Angkor Wat, Cambodia . What is his secret? I think it is nothing more than a confession of revenge many years ago and a true feeling for Su Lizhen. (Pay attention to the back of the monk when Zhou Muyun is telling the secret)
Those passing years seem to be seen through a piece of dusty glass, but can't be grasped.
He has been thinking about everything in the past, if he can break through the dusty glass, he will go back to the long gone years.
Finally finished analyzing the story of "In the Mood for Love". Perhaps the "In the Mood for Love" you saw above has become completely unrecognizable. But it is not a suspense film about revenge. It is still a romance film. The focus of its performance is still the emotional entanglement between the characters, and it is not difficult to realize the contradictions and helplessness of this revenge plan. I just selected some fragments to focus on the description, some simple fragments and some love scenes are skipped here.
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