In the Mood for Love Blu-ray Review

Criterion's Blu-ray release of Wong Kar-wai's "In the Mood for Love" is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1 and encoded with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4. This high-definition digital transfer, supervised by DP Mark Lee Ping-bin, was created using a 35mm interpositive on a Spirit 2K Datacine. Extensive cleaning and minor restoration tasks were conducted utilizing Image System's Phoenix and MTI's DRS technologies. Despite the lack of a new master from a more recent scan, the transfer exhibits a high level of detail, particularly noticeable in close-ups, though some nighttime sequences suffer from reduced definition. While noise and age-related artifacts are occasionally evident, the overall image stabilization remains solid without excessive degraining or severe aliasing issues.

The film's palette, featuring a rich array of reds, yellows, and browns, is largely consistent, save for occasional color saturation dips and minimal light sharpening. The subtlety in the textural details is commendable, particularly in the finely designed wardrobe elements of Maggie Cheung's cheongsam dresses that exhibit vivid colors and intricate patterns. Contrast levels are adeptly managed, offering deep blacks and strong shadow details. Notably, the transfer retains the filmic grain that enhances its visual texture, providing an appropriately cinematic feel.

Overall, Criterion’s Blu-ray release of "In the Mood for Love" showcases Wong Kar-wai’s visually opulent narrative with refined elegance. While not flawless, the high-resolution transfer preserves the director’s breathtaking compositions and dreamlike camera movements, ensuring an immersive viewing experience that surpasses previous DVD releases. This Region-A locked Blu-ray is an essential upgrade for aficionados of this visually captivating masterpiece.

The Blu-ray release of "In the Mood for Love" features a sole Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, accompanied by optional English subtitles. This lossless audio track is meticulously designed to enrich the cinematic experience. The sound quality exemplifies why upgrading from the DVD edition is a worthwhile consideration. The lush and unrestrained soundtrack by composers Michael Galasso and Shigeru Umebayashi is vividly brought to life, with each violin solo resonating with a newfound thickness and richness, and Nat 'King' Cole's voice capturing an appealingly lush timbre. The mix delivers crisp, stable dialogue balanced seamlessly with the music, free from pops, cracks, dropouts, or distortions.

The auditory presentation is both delicate and richly textured, creating an immersive soundstage that extends throughout the room. Subtle ambient noises like background chatter, typing, ringing phones, and falling rain are carefully distributed among the front and surround speakers, contributing to an authentically rich atmosphere. The score stands out with moving fidelity and well-defined separation, embodying a fully enveloping sense of romance. The dynamic range is expansive, seamlessly transitioning between low and high frequencies without distortion, ensuring a consistent auditory experience. This mix's gentle yet spacious layering adeptly supports the film’s romantic narrative, making it an integral component of the film’s sensory appeal.

Criterion presents an exquisite Blu-ray edition of "In the Mood for Love" with a comprehensive suite of extras enriching the viewing experience. The supplements, presented in upscaled 1080i with Dolby Digital audio and optional English subtitles, delve deeply into the film's intricate production process and evocative thematic elements. Highlighting the director's unique improvisational style, the collection includes insightful interviews, detailed behind-the-scenes footage, and substantial deleted scenes with optional commentary by Wong Kar Wai that fill in narrative gaps and extend the storyline. Notably, the included short film "Hua Yang De Nian Hua" and exclusive interviews further offer fans treasured insights into Wong Kar Wai’s creative journey and the film’s lasting cinematic influence.

Extras included in this disc:

• TV Spots and Trailers: Multiple spots in Cantonese, English, and French.
• In the Mood for Love: Informative documentary featuring cast and crew interviews.
• Deleted Scenes: Four extensive scenes with optional director commentary.
• Hua Yang De Nian Hua: Short film by Wong Kar Wai from archival footage.
• Wong Kar Wai: In-depth interview and cinema lesson on the film's production.
• Toronto International Film Festival: Press conference footage with cast insights.
• On In the Mood for Love: Film critic Tony Rayns discusses the film's visual style.
• The Soundtrack: Analysis of the unique soundtrack by Tony Rayns.
• Booklet: Essay by film critic Steve Erickson and story by Liu Yi-chang.

Wong Kar-Wai's "In the Mood for Love" (2000), exquisitely rendered on Blu-ray by Criterion, stands as a paragon of cinematic expression, masterfully blending visual artistry with nuanced storytelling. Set in early 1960s Hong Kong, the film intricately chronicles the lives of Mr. Chow (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) and Mrs. Chan (Maggie Cheung), two neighbors who suspect infidelity from their respective spouses. Bound by shared gloom, they form a platonic yet intensely poignant bond, exploring their emotions through elegantly restrained interactions and deliberate reenactments of their partners' alleged betrayals.

Crafting a minimalist narrative framework, Wong Kar-Wai’s meticulous direction and improvisational style coalesce through a grueling 15-month shoot. This results in a tightly focused, almost methodical work that retains a sense of fluid elegance. Hong Kong's now-lost, atmospheric essence from the ’60s is brilliantly captured by Australian cinematographer Christopher Doyle, who creates a nostalgic backdrop that amplifies the film's emotional depth. The measured cadence and intricate aesthetic choices—including obstructed views, low angles, and intimate perspectives—produce an ethereal experience, further enriched by Michael Galasso and Shigeru Umebayashi’s haunting score punctuated by Nat 'King' Cole's timeless melodies.

Performances by Leung and Cheung are breathtakingly nuanced, articulating profound emotions through subtle body language and fleeting glances rather than explicit gestures or dialogue. Their chemistry imbues the film with yearning and tenderness that lingers long after the closing frames. Wong Kar-Wai eschews melodrama, opting instead for a delicate portrayal of repressed passion, making "In the Mood for Love" not just a story about love and loneliness but a work of art that captures the ephemeral beauty of human connection. The Criterion Blu-ray release supplements this evocative masterpiece with extensive extras, offering deep insights into its creation and thematic resonance.

Wong Kar-Wai's "In the Mood for Love" is renowned for its visual and emotional depth, distinguishing itself as one of the most stunning contemporary Asian films. The Criterion Collection's Blu-ray release enhances this cinematic gem, making it more accessible to modern audiences. While the original DVD release already had its charms, this new high-definition version brings out the subtleties in Christopher Doyle's evocative cinematography and the intricate mise-en-scène. However, despite its many strengths, the video transfer still leaves some room for improvement, particularly in the finer details and color grading.

The audio mix on this Blu-ray is exceptional, perfectly capturing the film's haunting musical score by Michael Galasso and the rich ambient sounds that define 1960s Hong Kong. The soundtrack is an essential element of the film, and this release ensures it resonates with clarity and depth. The supplementary materials are extensive and insightful, delving deep into the movie's development process, from its conception to its final cut. These extras are invaluable for fans and offer a comprehensive look behind the scenes.

In conclusion, Wong Kar-Wai's "In the Mood for Love" stands as a benchmark of visual elegance and narrative subtlety. The Criterion Collection's Blu-ray release comes highly recommended, primarily for its outstanding sound quality and the wealth of supplementary content that contextualizes the film's production. While there are some minor issues with the video transfer, this release remains a definitive addition to any art house cinema enthusiast’s collection. If you haven't seen this masterwork yet, now is the perfect opportunity. RECOMMENDED.