I was slightly disappointed by this film: it feels like a diluted version of his previous ones, such as Fallen Angels in its heavy use of night scenes, and Chungking Express, for the repeated sound of a passing train and the lyrics as a diegesis. I have expected something better from Jude Law, and more substantial from Natalie Portman who is brillant in Closer.
As most of his films, the characters are lacking depth and social dimensions. It is like a pop fiction that focuses only on 'now', 'this moment'. And probably due to the constant resort to the soundtrack, it reminds me of A Man and A Woman (1966) from the French director Claude Lelouch which some film critic comments is more like a MTV (born 15 years ahead of its time) than a film!
But does it really matter? After all, not all directors, even the 'greatest ones' have such an knack of how to engage the audience, a sense of rhythm, and are brilliant with improvisation. And maybe for that reason alone, we should give Wong and his gang the due credits.
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