In the Mood for Love

In the Mood for Love is a 2000 Hong Kong film directed by Wong Kar-wai, starring Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung.

The film's original Chinese title, meaning 'the age of blossoms' or 'the flowery years' – Chinese metaphor for the fleeting time of youth, beauty and love – derives from a song of the same name by Zhou Xuan from a 1946 film. The English title derives from the song, "I'm in the Mood for Love". Wong had planned to name the film Secrets, until listening to the song late in post-production. The film forms the second part of an informal trilogy, together with the first part Days of Being Wild (released in 1991) and the last part 2046 (released in 2004). Feel the heat, keep the feeling burning, let the sensation explode. (taglines)

Dialogue

 * Chow Mo-wan: In the old days, if someone had a secret they didn't want to share... you know what they did?
 * Ah Ping: Have no idea.
 * Chow Mo-wan: They went up a mountain, found a tree, carved a hole in it, and whispered the secret into the hole. Then they covered it with mud. And leave the secret there forever.
 * Ah Ping: What a pain! I'd just go to get laid.
 * Chow Mo-wan: Not everyone's like you.


 * Chow Mo-wan: It's me. If there's an extra ticket... would you go with me?
 * Su Li-zhen: It's me. If there's an extra ticket... would you go with me?


 * Su Li-zhen: Am I hopeless?
 * Chow Mo-wan: Not really.


 * Su Li-zhen: Why did you call me at the office today?
 * Chow Mo-wan: I had nothing to do. I wanted to hear your voice.


 * Chow Mo-wan: I have a chapter to finish.
 * Su Li-zhen: Where have you got to?
 * Chow Mo-wan: The drunken master just showed up.
 * Su Li-zhen: When did he get written in?
 * Chow Mo-wan: Just now!


 * Chow Mo-wan: That handbag I saw you with this evening... Where did you buy it?
 * Su Li-zhen: Why do you ask?
 * Chow Mo-wan: It looked so elegant. I want to get one for my wife.
 * Su Li-zhen: Mr. Chow, you're so good to your wife!
 * Chow Mo-wan: Not really! My wife is so fussy. Her birthday is some days away. I don't know what to get her. Could you buy one for me to give her?
 * Su Li-zhen: Maybe she wouldn't want one just exactly the same.
 * Chow Mo-wan: You're right, I didn't think of that.
 * Su Li-zhen: A woman would mind.
 * Chow Mo-wan: Yes, especially since we're neighbors. Do they come in other colors?
 * Su Li-zhen: I'd have to ask my husband.
 * Chow Mo-wan: Why?
 * Su Li-zhen: He bought it for me on a business trip abroad. They aren't on sale here.
 * Chow Mo-wan: Then never mind.
 * Su Li-zhen: Actually... I want to ask you something too. Where did you buy your tie?
 * Chow Mo-wan: I don't know where it came from. My wife buys all my ties.
 * Su Li-zhen: Really?
 * Chow Mo-wan: She bought this one on a business trip abroad. It's not on sale here.
 * Su Li-zhen: What a coincidence!
 * Chow Mo-wan: Yes.
 * Su Li-zhen: Actually... My husband has one just like it. He said it was a gift from his boss. So he wears it every day.
 * Chow Mo-wan: And my wife has a bag just like yours.
 * Su Li-zhen: I know, I've seen it.
 * Chow Mo-wan: What are you getting at, actually?
 * Su Li-zhen: I thought I was the only one who knew.


 * Su Li-zhen: Why didn't you call me today?
 * Chow Mo-wan: I was afraid you won't like it.
 * Su Li-zhen: Then don't call me ever again.


 * Chow Mo-wan: I sometimes wonder what I'd be if I hadn't married. Have you ever thought of that?
 * Su Li-zhen: Maybe happier! I didn't know married life would be so complicated! When you're single, you are only responsible to yourself. Once you're married, doing well on your own is not enough.


 * Su Li-zhen: Look at me, do you have a mistress?
 * Chow Mo-wan: Yes!
 * Su Li-zhen: I didn't expect it to hurt that much.
 * Chow Mo-wan: This is just a rehearsal.

Captions

 * He remembers those vanished years. As though looking through a dusty window pane, the past is something he could see, but not touch. And everything he sees is blurred and indistinct.
 * It is a restless moment. She has kept her head lowered... to give him a chance to come closer. But he could not, for lack of courage. She turns and walks away.

Taglines

 * Feel the heat, keep the feeling burning, let the sensation explode.

Cast

 * Tony Leung - Chow Mo-wan
 * Maggie Cheung - Su Li-zhen (Mrs. Chan)
 * Siu Ping Lam - Ah Ping
 * Rebecca Pan - Mrs. Suen
 * Lai Chen - Mr. Ho
 * Joe Cheung - Man living in Mr. Koo's apartment
 * Chan Man-Lei - Mr. Koo
 * Chin Tsi-ang - The amah (female servant)
 * Roy Cheung - Mr. Chan (voice)
 * Paulyn Sun - Mrs. Chow (voice)