2046 Trailer [HD]

Where The Memories Never Change (2046 review)

2046
*****

As most of you who know me or have any idea of what kinds of films I enjoy the most, then it would be no surprise that I hate non-linear storytelling. I hate it for being a convention from the art movement, which of all films there is nothing more worthless than art films. They really should take the word “art” away from it, but enough about that topic. The fact is that I’m beginning to change my belief about non-linear storytelling. Funny thing is that I thought I would have to wait for The Tree of Life, which I have mixed feelings for, yet high hopes. I didn’t have a clue about 2046, and perhaps that allowed me to watch it without hesitation. A TA from one of my film classes recommended us to look at Wong Kar Wai’s pictures, if anything to study the mice-en-scene in his films. Before popping in the DVD on my Playstation 3, I only knew to expect a visual treat of color.

As the film progressed, almost from the very beginning I was more than blown away. Wong Kar Wai understands color and works it together with light to create a visual feast that easily transfixes the viewer on a world that’s his, yet completely strange. 2046 is not only a complex story told in jumps, and parallel situations. It has one consistent character, Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung Chiu Wai), a journalist. Then it has three women that play the a similar role in his life. The film is told in different times, always skipping a year to the same date, December 24. There is also 2046, which is not just a number in the hotel room or a motif, but a train where memories never change. Further from this, the film is extremely hard to explain, and partly because I myself with just one-time-view do not fully understand it.

In the past if I didn’t understand a film, I discarded it immediately as one of the worst movies ever seen. In a medium where the most important factor is the audience, ambiguity should not play a role. Still, 2046, left such a lasting impression, not only with it’s clever use of light and color where one looses oneself in what feels like a beautiful-one-time-dream, but also thanks to the believable, gripping, yet comic performances of the actors. I loved the characters created by the Hong Kong based director. Specially that of one of the lovers, a prostitute by the name of Bai Ling (Ziyi Zhang). This character is charming beyond belief, and has a fragile nature to her. Perfect, casting Ziyi Zhang with that girly face, yet beautiful figure that exudes sexuality.

One thing is for certain, this film is not a one-timer. I have no intention of merely seeing it and forgetting about it. This film is one I need to watch more and more to keep understanding. This film is the exception in my book. Scenes in the film with the beautiful framing, and interesting mice-en-scene are pure eye candy for movie lovers who understand more than just a good story, but the art that film is. I highly recommend 2046. It’s not a film to completely understand, but one to appreciate for it’s unmatched beauty, and effectiveness on the human soul. A good film is one that can make one feel something not otherwise felt. Something one would not feel unless placed in the place of the characters. Wong Kar Wai’s 2046 does that and more.