I saw this film review on the Internet, and after reading it, various
I suddenly realized the plot problem that I didn't understand very well
, and went out with a laugh in the sky, boasting that the original work is a talent! !
This is actually a story about revenge.
About the film review of "In the Mood for Love", everyone talks about its nostalgia, about its music, about its photography, about Maggie Cheung's cheongsam, about Tony Leung's movie emperor title, about Wong Kar-wai... but not People have talked about the plot of "In the Mood for Love", at least no one has talked about it in depth. Of course, everyone understands that this is a story about an extramarital affair, but no one has discussed the context of the plot in detail, which 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 movie fans think that Wong Kar Wai movies have no plot at all, while Wong Kar Wai movie fans are proud of being able to understand the plot of Wong Kar Wai movies. And "In the Mood for Love", its film language is so rich and concise that even Wong Kar Wai fans are at a loss when faced with it. If you don't understand the plot of "In the Mood for Love", then you can't really appreciate the emotions it expresses. In fact, the plot of "In the Mood for Love" is not complicated. There are three reasons why it is so obscure: [14]
The first reason is Wong Kar-wai. "In the Mood for Love" is a movie that is driven by Tony Leung's expression, perhaps unprecedented. If you are willing to watch "In the Mood for Love" again, I suggest you leave it alone and just pay attention to Tony Leung's expression. What's even more wonderful is that many important plots of "In the Mood for Love" are explained in those few MTV-style scenes. I am afraid that when these scenes appear, most of the audience take the opportunity to take a nap or indulge in the wonderful soundtrack, and have no time to pay attention to the every move of the hero and heroine on the screen. Tony Leung's performance is the most important factor in "In the Mood for Love".
The second reason is "Scissorhands" Zhang Shuping. The shots of "In the Mood for Love" have reached the point where one less shot is too little. In "In the Mood for Love", Zhang Shuping not only put on all the cheongsam that can be worn on Maggie Cheung's body, but also cut all the shots that can be cut. . For example, Zhou Muyun asked Su Lizhen to have dinner. There were only two shots. Wang Ma answered the phone and met in the restaurant. There is no transition in between. But if it is replaced by ordinary directing and editing, it may take 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 with Zhou Muyun, and goes to the restaurant to 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, and I want to show them to you.
Su Lizhen: No, I will trouble you next time, thank you.
Zhou Muyun: No thanks.
The next scene that followed was another day. Su Lizhen was wearing another cheongsam and returning the book with a stack of martial arts novels. There is still no transition in between. Borrow newspapers and return books. So the cinematography is too minimal, which is rather obscure to most viewers who are not sensitive to the language of the film. The plot of "In the Mood for Love" was originally enough to be 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 drawn to her. When he and Tony Leung appeared together in the film, everyone only paid attention to Maggie Cheung and forgot to pay attention to what Tony Leung was doing. Many episodes were missed because they didn't see a certain look of Tony Leung, and only Maggie Cheung remained in memory. and her cheongsam. Of course, Maggie Cheung can't be blamed, she is really outstanding. Have you ever noticed Tony Leung's eyes at this time?
In short, the obscurity of "In the Mood for Love" is not really in its plot, but in its stunning cinematography. So please don't say that "In the Mood for Love" is a movie with more form than content. Its content is very rich, but it's just too hidden.
"In the Mood for Love" tells a story about revenge, please don't get me wrong, this is not a thriller, "In the Mood for Love" is of course a love movie, but most of it is about Tony Leung's revenge story. Perhaps it is more appropriate to say that, the author believes that "In the Mood for Love" describes the contradiction between love and hate in the process of revenge and the subsequent repentance. This may be too far from what you know of "In the Mood for Love": "Isn't "In the Mood for Love" an extramarital affair story?" Let's go back to the plot of "In the Mood for Love" to re-experience Wong Kar-wai This puzzling story:
It was an embarrassing relativity. She kept her head down in shame and gave him a chance to approach. He didn't have the courage to approach, so she turned around and left.
Zhou Muyun and Su Lizhen moved together and became neighbors. Su and Tuesday found out that Mrs. Zhou had an affair with Mr. Chen (Su's husband), but they were not completely convinced until one time when Zhou saw that Su had a leather bag the same as his wife, so they took Su out for dinner. , explained the words.
Su Lizhen: "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."
One of the "performances":
Su Lizhen: If you don't come home so late, your wife won't tell you?
Zhou Muyun: I'm used to it, she doesn't care about me... How about you? Your husband didn't tell you either?
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 tell you about you?
Zhou Muyun: I'm used to it, she doesn't care about me... how about you? Your husband didn't tell you either?
Su Lizhen: I think he was already asleep.
(Su strokes Zhou's coat with his hand)
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)
A few days later, Zhou and Su ate at a restaurant. This is the paragraph that best reflects Zhang Shuping's "quick knife" style. Have you ever noticed that they actually ate two meals in this paragraph!
First meal:
Su Lizhen: Help me, I want to know what your wife likes to eat.
Zhou Muyun:...Then what does your husband like to eat? (Zhou put some condiments in the Su plate).
Zhou Muyun: Are you used to eating?
Su Lizhen: Your wife can eat spicy food..
Pay attention to Zhou and Su's costumes for
the second meal: (When the camera turns, it's actually another meal after a while!) Exquisite montage: When the camera turns, Su has changed into a cheongsam!
Look at their conversation again:
Su Lizhen: Why did you call my company today?
Zhou Muyun: I just want to hear your voice.
Su Lizhen: You're quite like my husband's... grouchy.
Their relationship seems to have taken a step further, and they are still "acting" Mrs. Zhou and Mr. Chen, wondering how they got to where they are today.
Watch the next scene:
(Zhou and Su are in the car)
Su Lizhen: Why don't you call me?
Zhou Muyun: I'm afraid you're not happy.
Su Lizhen: Then don't call me again.
It seems to be going home after eating, but it should be many days later. Their relationship has also undergone subtle changes. (Maybe still "acting"). They "changed" their suits again (is Zhou's eyes becoming more and more disturbing?) Zhou received a letter from his wife from Japan, and Zhou and Su realized that Mrs. Zhou and Mr. Chen had been together Live in Japan.
Su Lizhen: "Guess what they are doing now?"
The camera turns
"performance" No. 2:
what "they are" doing now. There was originally a bed scene here, but Wong Kar Wai cut it off, leaving only this scene, it was well cut! You can understand that Zhou and Su didn't do anything, and this "performance" was not "acted". In Su Lizhen's words, "we will not be the same as them."
Zhou Muyun fell ill for a while. Su met on the street. Zhou invited Su to write martial arts novels together. Zhou Muyun had a lot of thoughts before he started writing. Zhou and Su cooperated to write martial arts novels. Mrs. Sun's family and Mr. Gu's family came back from a meal out. Mr. Gu was very drunk, and Su did not dare to go out at Zhou's house for fear of causing gossip from the neighbors. The next night, she changed into Mrs. Zhou's shoes and pretended to be back from outside. So, Su Lizhen's slippers stayed at Zhou Muyun's house.
Let's talk about Zhou Muyun's psychological process first. At first, he was curious and wanted to know "how did they start", and he and Su Lizhen also shared the same problem. Later, as the situation of Mrs. Zhou and Mr. Chen became clearer, curiosity turned to jealousy, and hatred grew, and he was about to start revenge! He couldn't find Mr. Chen and hated Wu Jiwu, so he could only take revenge on Su Lizhen. What's the best way to get revenge on a woman? Make her fall in love with you, then dump her.
After Su Lizhen left, Zhou Muyun smoked a cigarette at home. This unnoticed shot Wong Kar-Wai uses his classic choppy slow motion, which is intentional. It seems that Zhou Muyun is brewing his "revenge plan" here: conquer and then abandon.
One of the prerequisites for Zhou's plan to be implemented is that he also feels that Su Lizhen is starting to like him a little bit. This can be seen from the previous paragraph where Su cooked sesame paste for him when Zhou was sick. Even if Zhou didn't necessarily 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: rent a room outside in the name of writing a novel, and continue to invite Su to write together, creating 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 do you invite me to dinner for no reason?
Zhou Muyun: I received the manuscript fee today, but you refused to take your share, so I had to invite you to dinner.
Su Lizhen: What's the matter with me? I was just playing side drums beside me.
Zhou Muyun: I may write another newspaper in a while... Someone called today to ask for a manuscript.
Su Lizhen: Really? So urgent, have you dealt with it?
Zhou Muyun: So I wanted to find a place.
Su Lizhen: What are you doing?
Zhou Muyun: Write something. It will be 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, you wrote it all by yourself, so why bother?
"Why do you need to do this?" 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 (bottom) after showing a momentary loss of expression (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 Su Lizhen could take the initiative to come to him. So Zhou Muyun "hide" in his new residence. I looked at the window first, then sneered!
Zhou Muyun "disappeared" for a few days. Su called Zhou's unit, and Zhou's colleagues didn't know where he was. Su was very anxious. Finally, Zhou called Su:
Su Lizhen: "Hey... where are you?"
Su Lizhen rushed to Zhou's new residence anxiously. 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 was because the plan was successful, and the wry smile was because maybe he was hesitant now: "Is this kind of revenge necessary?" Did he also realize that there was another kind of feeling for Su Lizhen hidden in his heart?
After meeting Zhou (cut by Zhang Shuping or Wong Kar Wai), Su came out of Zhou's room:
Su Lizhen: I'll see you tomorrow.
Zhou Muyun: No, I'll just 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 should 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 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 turned (again typical Zhang's montage):
In Zhou Muyun's new residence, Zhou Muyun was standing 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 time, Su Lizhen can be said to be immersed in happiness, but she doesn't know that Zhou Muyun is revenge on her, the more she loves Zhou Muyun, the more certainty of Zhou's chances of winning, she is innocent like a child. And what about Zhou Muyun at this time? As I wrote, I secretly glanced at Su. Still this look!
At Zhou's new residence, the two imagined each other as their spouses and had a conversation imitating Mr. Zhang's return from Japan.
Su Lizhen: Tell me honestly... Is there a woman outside you?
Zhou Muyun: What's wrong with you... Who told you?
Su Lizhen: Don't care who it is, is there a woman outside you?
Zhou Muyun: ...No.
Su Lizhen: Don't lie anymore, you look at me...you look at me...I ask you if there is a woman outside?
Zhou Muyun: Yes...
(Su brushes Zhou's face lightly)
Zhou Muyun:... What's the matter with you? He has already admitted in front of you that there is a woman outside, and you still beat him so lightly?
Su Lizhen: I didn't expect him to 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 outside you?
Zhou Muyun: What's wrong with you... Who told you?
Su Lizhen: Don't care who said, do you have a woman?
Zhou Muyun: ...No.
Su Lizhen: Don't lie to me, tell me, is there a woman outside you!
Zhou Muyun: Yes...
(Su stares at Zhou for a moment, silently)
Zhou Muyun: Are you alright?
Su Lizhen: I didn't expect it to be so sad. (crying 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 this.
(Su is still crying on Zhou's shoulders)
"I didn't expect it to be so sad." - This was actually paving the way for the last "performance".
Su Lizhen often came home late, which was noticed by the landlord, Mrs. Sun, and she was scolded by Mrs. Sun. So Su called Zhou.
Su Lizhen: I don't think I will come here 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: Don't want to mention it... Let's meet less recently.
In this way, Zhou Muyun's plan, which was going well, suffered a major setback because of Mrs. Sun's interference. Can't see Zhou Muyun, Su Lizhen is very worried at home. At this time, Zhou Muyun, looking at his expression, is about to sink his boat! The plan can't be frustrated anymore, Zhou Muyun is about to use his "killer". Zhou called Su's unit to find her, but Su did not return the call. It rained heavily, and Zhou met Su who was sheltering from the rain.
Su Lizhen: ...you have found 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 out of town?
Zhou Muyun: A Bing sent a lot of letters, saying that he was short of manpower and wanted me to help him.
Su Lizhen: How long are you going to go?
Zhou Muyun: I don't know, let's go and talk about it.
Su Lizhen: Why do you want to go to Singapore all of a sudden?
Zhou Muyun: Change the environment... so you don't have to listen to so much gossip.
Su Lizhen: ...We know that there is nothing wrong with it?
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 didn't think you would 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 as innocent as a child in the dark.
Continued conversation:
Zhou Muyun: I didn't think about it either... I just wanted to know how they started, now I know... A lot of things happened before I knew it... I thought I was nothing... But I'm starting to worry about when your husband will come back...better not...I know I don't think so...can you do me a favor? (What Zhou Muyun said was exactly what was on Su Lizhen's mind, "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 have a mental preparation.
Su Lizhen:......
So, they started "acting" again, and their "acting" was when Mr. Chen came back from Japan and they were forced to break up. What Zhou Muyun said "I want to have a mental preparation" means that he wants to experience the feeling of being forced to break up when Mr. Chen comes back. And his real purpose is not to let himself, but to let Su Lizhen experience the feeling of losing her in advance! Let Su Lizhen feel the great pain of losing herself, so that she can fall in love with herself completely, this is Zhou Muyun's "killer"!
"Performance" 3:
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 look for you in the future...take good care of your husband.
During the "performance", Zhou Muyun's eyes were still very guilty.
"Virtual" breakup
Su Lizhen, who was lost after the "virtual" breakup. Zhou's purpose succeeded. Undoubtedly, Su has deeply felt the pain after breaking up.
The camera turned:
"The performance" ended, Zhou Muyun came back, and Su Lizhen cried 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 he was comforting Su: "Don't be like this...don't be stupid, just talk...don't cry...it's not true..." And his expression, the joy of the success of the plan and the An 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 he also suddenly realize that he had fallen in love with Su Lizhen too? After all, they used to feel sorry for each other, after all, Su Lizhen loved him so much.
(in the car going back)
Su Lizhen: I don't want to go home tonight...
She rested 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, and Zhou's plan was only the last step. If Su Lizhen is abandoned at this time, it will undoubtedly hit her the hardest. 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 became more and more gloomy, did he regret it?
(At Zhou's house)
Radio: Chen Meiyi clicked it for her good friends Quan Zai and Wenwen, wishing her a successful honey luck, and clicked it to listen to Mrs. Zhang, who was in the same room, wishing her a happy family... One of them is on business in Japan Mr. Chen ordered this song for his wife to enjoy, wishing her a happy birthday and smooth work.
Now, please enjoy together, Zhou Xuan sang "The Love in the Mood".
This is their last "In the Mood for Love" together.
(Su's company...the phone rang and Zhou Muyun called)
Zhou Muyun: It's me...if there is one more ticket...would you go with me?
"If there is one more ticket ...Will you come with me?" This is the last step of the plan, Zhou Muyun first invited Su Lizhen to go with him, then he left without saying goodbye and abandoned her! At this time, Zhou Muyun, in front of the window of his residence, first pondered for a long time with a sullen face, and then smiled again. (It was still the same, the joy of revenge and the loss of Su Lizhen were intertwined on his face, making it hard to tell whether it was a wry smile or a sneer. No doubt, Zhou Muyun realized that he also fell in love with Su Lizhen. Can it be salvaged?) After taking one last look at this room full of memories, he turned and left. At this time, Su Lizhen, who was still in the dark, was coming from her home, and when she arrived at Zhou's residence, she found that the building was empty, and she realized that she had been ruthlessly abandoned.
"If there is one more ticket...would you go with me?" She silently recited the last sentence Zhou Muyun left her.
A year later, Singapore
The plot in Singapore was originally very simple, but Wong Kar-wai used flashbacks to film this story. In normal order, the story goes like this: Chow Mu Yun is already an editor at Sin Chew Daily in Singapore. The divorced Su Lizhen came to Singapore, quietly "sneaked" into Zhou Muyun's home in Singapore, smoked a cigarette, left her own lip print on it, and then called Zhou Muyun a silent phone call. He took away the pair of slippers that had been left at Zhou Muyun's house a year ago. Is this a small "revenge" for Zhou Muyun? These slippers were brought to Singapore by Zhou Muyun as the only souvenir that Su left him. I think, just from these slippers, Su should be able to feel that Zhou's feelings for her are definitely not just hatred.
Maybe Su Lizhen has forgiven Zhou Muyun just because of these slippers.
When Zhou returned home, he found that the slippers were missing, and then found the cigarette butt with the lip print on it. He knew that Su had come, and that the call was made by her at his house.
(And Wang Jiawei made it like this: First, Zhou was looking for something?, found the cigarette butt, which made everyone look confused, and then filmed this story in sequence.)
Four years later, Hong Kong
Zhou Muyun returned to his former residence, and he was with his mother. Su Lizhen passed by.
That era is over, and everything that belongs to that era no longer exists.
In the same year, Zhou Muyun at Angkor Wat in Cambodia
confided his secrets to a hole in a pillar. What is his secret? I think it is nothing more than the repentance of the revenge many years ago and the true feelings for Su Lizhen. (Pay attention to the monk Zhou Muyun's back when he is telling his secrets)
Those years gone by, as if through a piece of dusty glass, you can see it, but you can't grasp it.
He has been thinking about the past, and if he can break through the dusty glass, he will go back to the years long gone.
Finally finished analyzing the story of "In the Mood for Love". Maybe the "In the Mood for Love" you see above has changed beyond recognition. But it's not a suspense film about revenge, it's still a romance film, and its focus is still on the emotional entanglement between characters, and it's not hard to feel the contradiction and helplessness of this revenge plan. Just selected some clips to focus on description, some superficial clips and some love scenes are skipped here.
View more about In the Mood for Love reviews
