Chungking Express
Director: Kar-Wai Wong
Actors: Brigitte Lin, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung Chiu-wai
PlotIn a bustling Hong Kong setting, two separate tales of love and loneliness unfold. The first story follows a melancholic cop, identified only by his badge number 223, who is grappling with the end of a relationship. He fixates on the expiration date of a can of pineapples, believing it marks the deadline for his former girlfriend’s return. Meanwhile, a mysterious woman in a blonde wig, entangled in the underworld of drug trafficking, crosses paths with him in a late-night snack bar. Their fleeting encounter becomes a bittersweet exploration of fleeting connections and missed opportunities.
The second story revolves around another police officer, badge number 663, who is also recovering from heartbreak after being left by a flight attendant. He frequents a small, nocturnal food stall where a quirky, daydreaming waitress secretly falls for him. Finding solace in tidying up his apartment and infusing it with her whimsical sense of wonder, she tries to bring joy back into his life without him noticing. Their delicate, unspoken bond shines a light on the quiet, sometimes unnoticed transformations that can heal the heart.
Writers: Kar-Wai Wong
Release Date: 08 Mar 1996
Runtime: 102 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: Hong Kong
Language: Cantonese, English, Japanese, Hindi, Mandarin, Punjabi, Urdu
Home Video Reviews
Chungking Express on Blu-ray by Criterion boasts superb video and audio treatments, complemented by thoughtful extras and elegant packaging, all at an excellent value.
Read our review of Chungking Express Blu-ray DigiPack 重慶森林 Chung Hing sam lam to find out more