2046 (2004)

Whenever someone asked me why I left 2046, I gave them vague answers.....I once fell in love with someone. After a while she wasn't there. I went to 2046. I thought she might be waiting for me there. But I couldn't find her. I can't stop wondering if she loved me or not. But I never found out....All memories are traces of tears.

2046 is not in the same class as In the Mood for Love or Chung King Express. This story casts Tony Leung in the role of Chow, a womanizer who, after a failed affair in Singapore, leaves and falls in love with the Hong Kong way of life and one-night stands. Apparently, it seems to be the same Mr. Chow from In the Mood for Love as he mentions, "I was in love with a Su-Lizhen once and never dreamt I'll meet another Su Lizhen here" (Su Lizhen is the character opposite Chow in that movie). We see him with three different women on the Christmas eve of three consecutive years. Even though he loses touch with the women around him, they keep appearing in stories he writes about a place in time, 2046. Every passenger who goes to 2046 has the same intention - to capture the lost memories. Nothing supposedly changes in 2046. Though no one knows if it's true as no one has ever come back.

More than the story line, this movie should be watched for the color themes and recurring images combined with an awesome background music. Good acting by most of the cast, and Zhang Ziyi's performance deserves a special mention. However, the movie keeps running in circles and the length can be a little tiring. Worth a watch if you are a strict Wong Kar Wai fan.

P.S. - Although Norwegian Wood has been made into a movie, for some reason I kept thinking, while watching this one, it'd be great if Wong Kar Wai adapts the book.

Rating - 6.5/10