Chung Hing sam lam (1994)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Kar Wai Wong

Writer:

Kar Wai Wong (writer)

Release Date:

8 March 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Mystery | Romance

Tagline:

If my memory of her has an expiration date, let it be 10,000 years...

Plot:

Wong Kar-Wai's movie about two love-struck cops is filmed in impressionistic splashes of motion and color...

Plot Keywords:

Flight Attendant | Hong Kong | Pineapple | Obsessive Compulsive Disorder | Whisky

Awards:

7 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Brigitte Lin	...	Woman in blonde wig (as Ching-hsia Lin)
Tony Leung Chiu Wai	...	Cop 663
Faye Wong	...	Faye
Takeshi Kaneshiro	...	He Zhiwu, Cop 223
Valerie Chow	...	Air Hostess
Chen Jinquan	...	Manager of 'Midnight Express'
Lee-na Kwan	...	Richard (as Guan Lina)
Zhiming Huang	...	Man
Liang Zhen	...	The 2nd May
Songshen Zuo	...	Man

Also Known As:

Chungking Express (UK) (USA)
Chongqing senlin (Hong Kong: Mandarin title)
Chung King Express (Hong Kong: English title)
Chungking Jungle (literal English title)
Hong Kong Express (Europe: English title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some violence, sexuality and drug content.

Runtime:

Hong Kong:98 min | 102 min (international version)

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese | English | Japanese | Hindi | Mandarin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-11 (re-release) | Philippines:PG-13 | Australia:M | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-12 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 | South Korea:15 | Singapore:PG | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Hong Kong, China

Company:

Jet Tone Production

Trivia:

Originally, there was going to be three parts to the film. The third part instead became Wong Kar-Wai's "Fallen Angels" film.

Quotes:

Cop663: I thought we'd stay together for the long haul, flying like a jumbo jet on a full tank. But we changed course.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Sepet (2004)

Soundtrack:

Things In Life

Super Goodfeel

Stunned. Chungking Express should be seen at least once for the experience. Caution: may cause smiling and frequent laughter.

What a contrast to Fallen Angels which was the first Wong Kar Wai film I've seen. Talk about polar opposites. The characters here are your everyday working people living ordinary lives. I love the idea of the people we walk and pass by everyday. Who knows what a random meeting will lead to? The chemistry between the actors is key. Takeshi Kaneshiro (I never thought of jogging that way) and Tony Leung are both great as two fellows going through a down of sorts. No one wants to be alone. Or have you ever thought to yourself and asked, "What do I want in life? Where do I want to go?" If anyone can relate to that, Wong Kar Wai captures that in his film.

Also, I love the contrast between the leading ladies; Brigitte is mysterious as the enigmatic blone and she still shines through. On the other hand, Faye's charismatic, bouncy personality is so infectious and definitely made her my favorite. It all comes out through her facial expressions, her dancing, her bright eyed look and super smile is awesome! My mindset is fixed with that song by the Mama and the Papas and Faye. That and her Cranberries' tribute. When she and Tony are onscreen together, it's magic. My favorite thing about Tony is for all the different roles he's played, he always comes off as himself. I'm sure the ladies love his scenes in the apartment!

I wouldn't consider this a great Hong Kong movie. This is a great film PERIOD. Chungking Express has replay value and there's so much more to love and appreciate upon later viewings. Definitely see it for Faye!