"In the Mood for Love" by the Avengers

In the Mood for Love

2016.2.18 Major revision

This is "In the Mood for Love" in a parallel time and space.

In 2000, when "In the Mood for Love" was released, there were heated discussions on the streets about its nostalgic atmosphere, its music, its photography, everyone's gossip about Maggie Cheung's cheongsam, gossip about Tony Leung's actor title, gossip about Wang Jiawei... Only the plot of the film It never seems to be discussed in depth.

Everyone may think: Isn't this just an extramarital affair story with a thin plot like air ? Simple enough to be summed up in a sentence or two, what is there to discuss in depth?

But is it really so?

If you also feel that "In the Mood for Love" is just a simple love story, then please read on. Because what this article tries to expand next is some aspects of the film that may never have received attention. For example, one of the themes of "In the Mood for Love" is actually " revenge ."

Minimalist Zhang Shuping

First off topic.

We may have forgotten that although "In the Mood for Love" is now a classic of Wong Kar Wai, it was spurned by many old Wong Kar Wai fans when it was just released. One of the reasons is probably that, compared with the classic works of Wong Kar Wai in the 1990s, "In the Mood for Love" is extraordinarily restrained and restrained, and the "flavor" of Wong Kar Wai familiar to movie fans in the 1990s is gone.

In fact, more than restraint and restraint, "In the Mood for Love" is simply a "minimalist" work - rich information is contained in the fewest shots.

The plot of "In the Mood for Love" is not complicated , but it is obscure . This is mostly "attributed" to Zhang Shuping, the editor of the film. "Scissorhands" Zhang Shuping cut "In the Mood for Love" to the point where one shot is too little. In addition to letting Maggie Cheung wear all the cheongsam that he can wear (Zhang Shuping is also the styling designer of the film), he also cut out all the scenes that can be cut.

For example: Zhou Muyun's meeting with Su Lizhen for dinner consists of only two scenes: 1. Wang Ma answers the phone, 2. Meeting in the restaurant. There is no transition in between.

If you follow the routine of a general domestic TV series, you may need the following set of shots to explain the plot clearly:

1. The bell rings, 2. Wang Ma answers the phone, 3. Asks Su Lizhen to answer the phone, 4. Su Lizhen answers the phone and talks to Zhou Muyun, 5. Go to the restaurant, 6. Meet.

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, I will trouble you next time, thank you. Zhou Muyun: No thanks.

In the next scene, it seems that even the camera position has not changed, but the plot is already another day. Su Lizhen is wearing another cheongsam and holding a stack of martial arts novels to return the book. There is still no transition in between. However, the exchange between the two of them "not to borrow at first, but then borrowed" between these two shots has actually been shown clearly.

However, the consequence of the simplicity of the lens is that most viewers who are not sensitive to the language of the film may not be aware of the hints hidden behind the lens. The plot of "In the Mood for Love" is actually enough to be made into a series, but under Zhang Shuping's scissors, it became a 2-hour film with a seemingly slow rhythm and a huge amount of information. This is the main reason for the obscurity of "In the Mood for Love".

The expression emperor Liang Chaowei

The second reason is that, unlike most of the line-driven films, "In the Mood for Love" is a film in which the expression of Tony Leung's character Zhou Muyun drives the plot.

According to my analysis below, Tony Leung held up the skeleton of the film's plot with just a few eyes (of course, this method of advancing the plot was "attributed" to Wong Kar-wai's idea, and Tony Leung realized it perfectly). At that time, many people felt disdain for Tony Leung for winning the Cannes Best Actor, saying that he won a Best Actor for his true performance - "Isn't Tony Leung's Zhou Muyun a melancholy man? That's what Tony Leung's life is like." Some people also said that the title of the best actor was compensated by the Cannes judges. The implication was that when the "Breakthrough" participated in the Cannes Film Festival, the actor should belong to Tony Leung.

Those who say this may not understand what Tony Leung is playing in "In the Mood for Love".

More subtle is that many important plots in "In the Mood for Love" are explained in those MV-style slow-motion scenes. When these scenes appeared, I am afraid that most of the audience only focused on admiring the gorgeous atmosphere of the picture, and ignored the interesting expressions of Tony Leung.

Another factor that makes Tony Leung's performance "invisible" is Maggie Cheung. Maggie Cheung's light was so dazzling that when he and Tony Leung appeared together in the picture, everyone only paid attention to Maggie Cheung and forgot to pay attention to what Leung Chaowei was doing. In the end, only Maggie Cheung and her cheongsam remained in their minds. Of course, this can't be blamed on Maggie Cheung, her performance is indeed equally good.

In short , the obscurity of "In the Mood for Love" does not lie in the complexity of its plot, but in its unusual language. At first glance, it seems to be an unhurried literary film, but in fact, there are many tricks in it.

Many people say that "In the Mood for Love" is a movie with more form than content, but I think its content is actually very rich, but it's just a little hidden.

"Dismemberment" "In the Mood for Love"

Well, let's start "dismembering" the plot of "In the Mood for Love".

It was an embarrassing relative, she kept her head down in shame, gave him a chance to approach, he didn't have the courage to approach, she turned around and left.

1. meet

At the beginning of the story, Zhou Muyun and Su Lizhen moved on the same day and became neighbors. Su and Tuesday discovered that Mrs. Zhou and Mr. Chen (Su's husband) were having an affair. Zhou Muyun was not completely convinced of this until he saw that Su Lizhen had the same purse as his wife. Zhou Muyun then invited Su Lizhen out for a meal and explained the words.

Su Lizhen said: "I don't know how they started...." - so they each played the other's spouse and began to "act" how Mrs. Zhou and Mr. Chen "started."

2. First Cosplay: "How They Started"

Su Lizhen : Your wife doesn't talk about you if you don't come home so late? Zhou Muyun : She's used to it, she doesn't care about me... What about you? Your husband doesn't talk about you? Su Lizhen: My husband has already slept. Zhou Muyun: .. . don't go back tonight.

Su Lizhen: My husband wouldn't say that. Zhou Muyun : Then what did he say? Su Lizhen : He wouldn't anyway.

(The two came again)

Su Lizhen : If you don't come home so late, your wife won't talk about you? Zhou Muyun : I'm used to it, she doesn't care about me... What about you? Your husband doesn't talk about you? Su Lizhen : I think he's already asleep.

(Su strokes Zhou's coat with her hands)

Su Lizhen : I really can't say it. Zhou Muyun : I know...it doesn't matter who speaks first. Su Lizhen : Do you know what kind of person your wife is?

(Su leaves Zhou to leave)

3. Second cosplay: Ate...two meals

A few days later, Zhou and Su ate at a restaurant.

This is the paragraph that best embodies Zhang Shuping's "scissorhands" style - in this seemingly continuous scene, Zhou Muyun and Su Lizhen actually had two meals in the scene where the camera position was not even moved.

First meal:

Su Lizhen: 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 Su plate) Zhou Muyun : Are you used to eating? Su Lizhen: Your wife can eat spicy food.

The second meal (when the camera turns, it is actually another meal after a while):

Look at their conversation at this time:

Su Lizhen : Why did you call my company today? Zhou Muyun : I just want to hear your voice. Su Lizhen: You are quite like my husband... grouchy.

Judging from the content of the conversation and the expressions of the two, it seems that their relationship has improved during the second meal, which implies that between the two meals, they have no idea how many times this has happened. "Date". Moreover, they are still "acting" Mrs. Zhou and Mr. Chen. Through role-playing, they continue to see how Mrs. Zhou and Chen Xian got to where they are today.

Look at the next shot:

(Zhou and Su are sitting in the car) Su Lizhen: Why don't you call me? Zhou Muyun : I'm afraid you will be unhappy. Su Lizhen: Then don't call me again.

This scene looks as if it is going home after the meal above, but it should be many days later. Their relationship also continues to undergo subtle changes and may still be "role-playing".

4. Third cosplay: "What are they doing now"

Next, Zhou Muyun received a letter from his wife from Japan, and Zhou and Su realized that Mrs. Zhou and Mr. Chen were already living in Japan together.

Su Lizhen : "Guess what they are doing now?"

So then the camera turned:

The scene in the picture above is another role-play, and the two of them are playing what "they are" doing now. What else could it be? ——There was originally a bed scene here, but Wong Kar-wai cut it out, leaving only this scene. Well cut! We can understand it as: Zhou and Su did nothing, they wanted to repeat what "they are" doing now, but they didn't "act". In Su Lizhen's words, "we will not be the same as them".

5. Write a novel

The next episode is that Zhou Muyun fell ill, and after recovering from the illness, Zhou and Su met on the street. Zhou invited Su to write martial arts novels together.

The two began to collaborate on writing martial arts novels. Mrs. Sun's family and Mr. Gu's family went out to eat. Mr. Gu was very drunk. Su Lizhen was afraid of causing gossip from the neighbors, so she hid in Zhou's house and did not dare to go out.

The next night, she changed into Mrs. Zhou's shoes and pretended to be back from outside.

6. A cigarette

After Su Lizhen left that night, Zhou Muyun smoked a cigarette at home:

Wong Kar-Wai used his signature frame-drawing slow motion for this unnoticed shot, which was clearly intentional. This scene is the turning point of the whole story. Because if the plot before this scene is a consensual role-play between Zhou Muyun and Su Lizhen, then what happens next becomes very weird:

Zhou Muyun tried every means to make Su Lizhen fall in love with her, and then abandoned her.

Zhou Muyun seems to have determined his "revenge plan" in this scene - to conquer and then abandon. All subsequent actions are based on this purpose.

However, why did Zhou Muyun do this? We will analyze this later. Let's see how he does it first.

7. Rental writing

One of the prerequisites for Zhou Muyun's plan to be implemented is that he feels that Su Lizhen begins to like him a little bit. When Zhou Muyun was ill, Su Lizhen cooked him his favorite sesame paste. Even if Zhou didn't necessarily know that Su was intentional at that time, just from the reaction of Su when he met Su after the illness, he should have felt something.

Zhou's plan is simple: rent a room outside in the name of writing a novel, continue to invite Su to write together, and create a more convenient environment for the two to be together. Take a look at their conversation:

Su Lizhen: Why did you invite me to dinner for no reason? Zhou Muyun: I received the manuscript fee today, but you don't want your share, so I had to invite you to dinner. Su Lizhen: What's the matter with me? I'm just playing drums beside me. Zhou Muyun: I may write another newspaper in a while... Someone called today to ask for a manuscript. Su Lizhen: Really? It's so urgent, have you dealt with it? Zhou Muyun: So I want to find a place. Su Lizhen: What are you doing? Zhou Muyun: Write something Ah. It's more convenient for you to come over in the future. Although there is nothing between us, I don't want others to misunderstand. You...what do you think? Su Lizhen: Why waste money?...In fact, it's all written by you, Why bother?

"Why do you need to do this?" Su Lizhen didn't take this step.

Zhou's plan fell through.

The plan fell through. Zhou Muyun looked at Su Lizhen's back gloomily (below) after showing a momentary loss of expression (above).

8. Missing

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 go further with him, but she didn't have the courage to do so for the time being, and she needed to be "pushed". So Zhou simply hid, so that Su Lizhen could take the initiative to come to him. Hard to catch .

So Zhou Muyun "hide" in his new residence.

Zhou Muyun "disappeared" for a few days. Su called Zhou's unit, and Zhou's colleagues did not know where he was. Su was anxious. Finally, Zhou called Su:

Su Lizhen : "Hey... where are you?..."

And what about Zhou Muyun who was in his new residence at this time? He stood in front of the window with a sullen face:

After hearing Su ring the doorbell, he lowered his head and smiled:

Can't tell if it's a sneer or a wry smile, I think it's both. The sneer is because the plan seems to be successful, and the wry smile is perhaps because of the guilt that is already growing deep inside? - "Is this kind of revenge necessary?" - Did he also realize that there was another kind of feeling for Su Lizhen hidden in his heart?

9. "We won't be like them"

After meeting Zhou Muyun, Su Lizhen came out of Zhou's room: Su Lizhen : I'll see you tomorrow. Zhou Muyun: No, I'll rest for a while. Su Lizhen: It's okay, just a while, I'll buy you something to eat , what do you want to eat? Zhou Muyun : Whatever. Su Lizhen : Well, I'm leaving, you have a rest early. Zhou Muyun : Go back and call me... You don't need to talk, just ring it three times. Su Lizhen :...Okay Zhou Muyun : ... I didn't expect you to come.Su Lizhen :...We won't be like them...see you tomorrow.

Su Lizhen said, "We won't be like them." But—

Su Lizhen, who was about to leave, stopped at the end of the corridor for a long time. When the camera turns (again, a typical "Zhang Shuping montage", the plot cuts directly to another later meeting):

In Zhou Muyun's new residence, Zhou Muyun stood in front of the window, still with that gloomy look in his eyes. Behind him, Su Lizhen was writing. Although Su Lizhen said "we won't 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".

At this moment, Su Lizhen was completely immersed in happiness.

And what about Zhou Muyun at this time? ——

She sneaked a glance at Su when she was writing the book. Still this look.

The more Su Lizhen loves him, the more sure of her chances of winning. But is this really what he wants?

10. The fourth cosplay: "It turned out to be so sad"

Next, at Zhou's new residence, Zhou Muyun played Su Lizhen's husband, Mr. Zhang, and performed the scene after Mr. Zhang returned from Japan.

Su Lizhen : Tell me honestly... Is there a woman outside you? Zhou Muyun : You have something wrong... Who told you? Su Lizhen: Don't care who, is there a woman outside? Zhou Muyun :...No. Su Lizhen : Stop lying, look at me...you look at me...I ask you if there is a woman outside? Zhou Muyun : Yes... (Su Qingfu look at Zhou's face)

Zhou Muyun (switching back to his own identity): ...what's the matter with you? He has already admitted in front of you that there is a woman outside, and you are still playing so lightly? Su Lizhen : I didn't expect him to answer like this... 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 outside you? Zhou Muyun: You have something wrong... Who told you? Su Lizhen : Don't care who said, you are Isn't there a woman? Zhou Muyun :...No. Su Lizhen : Don't lie to me, tell me, is there a woman outside ? Zhou Muyun : Yes...

(Su stares at Zhou for a moment, silent) Zhou Muyun (switches back to his own identity) : Are you alright? Su Lizhen: I didn't expect it to be so sad. (Lying on Zhou's shoulder and crying) Zhou Muyun: It's just a try, it's not true. ..even if it's true, he won't admit it...it's okay, don't be like that. (Su is still crying on Zhou's shoulder)

11. Mrs. Sun who gets in the way

Su Lizhen often came home late, which was noticed by the landlord, Mrs. Sun, and she was scolded by Mrs. Sun. Su Lizhen flinched, and she called Zhou:

Su Lizhen : I don't think I will come here for a while. Zhou Muyun: Why? Su Lizhen: I came back last night, and Mrs. Sun hurt a few words. Zhou Muyun: What did she say? Su Lizhen: I don't want to mention it... We are still less recently Let's meet.

In this way, the plan, which was going well, suffered a major setback due to Mrs. Sun's interference.

At this time, Zhou Muyun:

Look at his expression - he is about to die.

12. Meet in the rain

It was raining heavily, and in order to avoid the rain, the two finally met. Taking this opportunity, Zhou Muyun is going to use his "killer". Zhou Muyun told Su Lizhen that she was going to move to Singapore to work. Their next conversation:

Su Lizhen: Why do you want to go to Singapore all of a sudden? Zhou Muyun: Change the environment...to save listening to so much gossip. Su Lizhen: ...We know it's fine? Zhou Muyun: I thought so too, so I'm not afraid of what others say...I believe I won't be the same as them...but so I will...I know you won't leave your husband...I want to go away. Su Lizhen: I don't think so You will really like me.

During the conversation, Zhou Muyun's eyes were always erratic, and he didn't dare to look directly at Su Lizhen. 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, "We know that there is nothing wrong."

"I didn't think you would really like me." On the contrary, it was Su Lizhen herself who didn't expect to really like her. She was still naively completely kept in the dark.

The conversation continues:

Zhou Muyun: I didn't think about it either... I just wanted to know how they started, but now I know... A lot of things happened before I knew it... I thought I was nothing... But I started Worrying about when your husband will come back...better not come back...I know I'm wrong...can you do me a favor?

What Zhou Muyun said was exactly what Su Lizhen was thinking - "A lot of things happened before I knew it... I thought I was fine... But I started to worry about when your 'wife' will come back..."

Su Lizhen: What? Zhou Muyun: I want to be mentally prepared. Su Lizhen:…

13. Last Cosplay: Breakup Preview

So they started role-playing again. Only this time, they were acting as their future selves - when Mr. Chen came back from Japan, they were forced to break up.

Zhou Muyun said "I want to have a mental preparation", which means that he wants to experience the feeling of being forced to break up when Mr. Chen comes back. And obviously, his real purpose is not to let himself, but to let Su Lizhen experience the feeling of losing her in advance.

Let Su Lizhen experience the pain of losing herself in advance, and induce her to take the last step psychologically - this is Zhou Muyun's "killer".

Check out their "breakup preview":

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: No...then I won't look for you in the future. .. take good care of you sir.

Zhou Muyun's purpose has succeeded - no doubt, Su Lizhen has truly experienced the pain after breaking up, and she can't do without herself.

One turn of the lens:

After the "performance" ended, 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." And this time, she was undoubtedly much sadder. She has realized that losing Zhou Muyun may be the most unbearable thing she can't bear.

And Zhou Muyun, although comforting Su Lizhen "Don't be like this...don't be stupid, just talk...don't cry...it's not true...", and his expression(!)——

The thrill of the success of the plan and a little inexplicable loss and vague unease appeared on his face. I don't know which kind of feeling is more in his heart? Does he have some uneasy conscience? Did you suddenly realize that you have fallen in love with Su Lizhen too?

(If this expression wants to express what I have analyzed earlier, then this expression alone would make Tony Leung qualified to be the best actor in Cannes - unfortunately, this expression is ignored by most audiences.)

On the way back in the car—

Su Lizhen: I don't want to go home tonight...

Su Lizhen rested her head on Zhou Muyun's shoulder. Zhou held Su's hand hesitantly. The happy expression returned to Su Lizhen's face - she had completely opened her heart to accept her love for Zhou Muyun, and Zhou's plan was only the last step. If Su Lizhen was abandoned at this time, the blow to her would undoubtedly be devastating.

I think the vast majority of viewers focus on Su Lizhen when they see the above picture, but don't pay attention to Zhou Muyun's expression. His face became more and more gloomy, did he regret it?

14. If there is one more ticket

(Su's company...the phone rang, and Zhou Muyun called) Zhou Muyun: It's me...if there is one more ticket...would you come with me?

"If there is one more ticket...will you go with me?" This is the last step of the plan. Zhou Muyun invited Su Lizhen to go with him, but he actually left without saying goodbye.

At this time, Zhou Muyun, in front of the window of his residence——

First, he pondered for a long time with a sullen face:

Then, he laughed again:

Still the same, the joy and loss of revenge were intertwined on his face, making it hard to tell whether it was a wry smile or a sneer. But this is the end, can it be salvaged?

Finally, after taking a last look at this room full of memories, I turned and left:

At this time, Su Lizhen, who was still in the dark, was coming from home:

When she arrived at Zhou's residence, she found that the building was empty, and she realized what was going on.

"If there is one more ferry ticket...will you go with me?" She silently recited the last sentence Zhou Muyun left her.

The main story line of "revenge" has come to an end. Let's go back to the unresolved question: the person Zhou Muyun hates should not be Su Lizhen. Why did he do this?

On the surface, Zhou Muyun's psychological process may look like this:

At the beginning, maybe it was just curiosity, wanting to know "how did they start", and Su Lizhen was considered to be in the same ailment. Later, as the fact that Mrs. Zhou and Mr. Chen cheated became more and more clear, coupled with those immersive role-playing, Zhou Muyun gradually replaced himself with Mr. Chen's identity, so curiosity began to turn into resentment and hatred. Humiliation - that's how you (Mr. Chen) seduced my wife.

I haven't been able to find Mr. Chen. Where is the humiliation and hatred in my heart? - If you take mine, then I will destroy yours.

And in Zhou Muyun's eyes, what is the best way to destroy a woman? Simple and cruel: when she can't leave me, I evaporate.

But just because of that? Maybe there is a more hidden psychology behind this:

The success of Zhou Muyun's game depends on Su Lizhen's role-playing and falsehoods, and finally making the falsehoods come true. What about Zhou Muyun himself? Can he come out of the "play" aloofly by himself? So, in Zhou Muyun's eyes, is the victim of this revenge plan Su Lizhen or Mrs. Zhou played by Su Lizhen? And the Avenger himself, is it Zhou Muyun or Mr. Chen in the play?

These possibilities, maybe all of them. The setters often don't realize that they are actually caught in the game .

Back to the plot.

15. A year later, Singapore

The plot in Singapore was originally very simple, but Wong Kar Wai used flashbacks to tell the story. In normal order, the story goes something like this:

Zhou Muyun is already an editor at Sin Chew Daily in Singapore. Su Lizhen, who has been divorced, came to Singapore, quietly "sneaked" into Zhou Muyun's home in Singapore, smoked a cigarette, and left her own lip print on it:

Then, make a speechless call to Zhou Muyun:

Before leaving, she took away the pair of slippers she had left at Zhou Muyun's house a year ago. Is this a small "revenge" for Zhou Muyun? The slippers were brought to Singapore by Zhou Muyun as the only souvenir that Su left him. Maybe Su Lizhen will forgive Zhou Muyun just because of these slippers.

When Zhou Muyun returned home, he found that the slippers were missing, and then saw the cigarette butt with lip prints on it. He knew that Su had come, and that call was made at his house.

(And Wong Kar-wai filmed it like this: First, Zhou was looking for something-found a cigarette butt, which made everyone confused, and then filmed this story in the normal order.)

16. Four years later, Hong Kong

Zhou Muyun returned to the former residence and passed by Su Lizhen, who was already a mother.

That era is over, and everything that belongs to that era no longer exists.

17. The same year, Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Zhou Muyun confided his secrets to the hole in the stone pillar of Angkor Wat. What is his secret? Is it the remorse for revenge or the feeling that Su Lizhen can't let go of?

Those passing years seem to be seen but not grasped by a piece of dusty glass. He's been thinking about the past; if he can break through that dusty glass, he'll walk back in time long gone.

Text: Wei Zhichao

A little personal stuff, my new book published in 2020:

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