I'm a relative late-comer to HK movies, so I've never gotten involved in the apparently on-going debate over Wong Kar Wai - Artiste or Pretender. I checked this movie out because (a) I liked Chungking Express (though it left me unfulfilled) and this was supposed to be in the same vein and (b) a movie with both Karen Mok and Michelle Reis demands to be watched, at least going by my superficial, chemistry-based standards. I was not disappointed. This one's better than Chungking Express.

One of the strongest elements of this movie and the first thing that jumped out and grabbed me is the music. I find movie soundtracks generally either annoying or forgetable. But this one was a major part of the film and could be considered another actor. Whoever picked these songs for this movie has shown genius.

As for the ladies, they did not disappoint. Karen Mok, who I've seen in diverse roles, was so different I didn't recognize her at first. Her maniacal screaming was annoying, but otherwise she gave a very strong performance (the only one on the same level was Takeshi Kaneshiro's, though she didn't have nearly as much screen
time). The way she challenges herself when picking roles to play, and the way she always comes through, makes it hard to believe she's not a full-time actor but also a successful singer. What a talented woman.

Michelle Reis's role didn't call on her to say much, her character being dark, lonely, brooding, and the victim of unrequitted love. So I guess it's a tribute to her that despite the lack of diologue I felt I knew her character. She's looking very beautiful here, as always, but if you think she's just good looks, you're wrong. Check out the scene where she's casing out the restaurant for Leon Lai - walking through cooly with predator eyes - she's the whole package.

Despite those two performances, and a good showing by Leon Lai and Charlie Yeung, Takeshi Kaneshiro steals the show. I'm a fan of his and I've never seen him better. He's funny, at times poignant, but always stops just short of being a clown. His scene with the pig's carcass is hilarious and has no doubt gotten him onto PETA's hit list.

This movie isn't for everyone, but don't let the is-this-up-to-Wong-Kar-Wai's-previous-godlike-work debate ride you off. 8.5/10.