Chungking Express is one of the best introductory films to Wong Kar Wai’s work. Chronicling two separate stories about two charming but lovelorn policemen, they are seamlessly brought together by the setting of a late-night fast-food restaurant.
The busy streets of Hong Kong distinctly mark this film visually and conceptually, allowing brief encounters between dissimilar characters who are brought together by their loneliness. The flux of space and time prove to be a hindrance for the characters to fully realise concrete connections, but Wong emphasises that it’s not the final destination that matters. People will come and go. Wong merely illustrates the lasting impact of shared moments of connection. “Somehow everything comes with an expiry date. Swordfish expires. Meat sauce expires. Even cling-film expires. Is there anything in the world which doesn’t?”, Cop 233 (Takeshi Kaneshiro) asks as he ponders about his breakup.
The brooding internal thoughts of the characters are beautifully transcribed into a pensive script that highlights the inherent beauty within the spectrum of human emotions. However, the character’s yearning for companionship cannot be hidden, and they seek solace in their own idiosyncratic ways that are performed by the cast charmingly. Amongst all this, it is Faye Wong’s debut performance that is most refreshing and kicks up the pace of the film in the second half.
Chungking Express is simultaneously about the painful experience of losing love and the hopeful possibilities that follow. Brief encounters are just as potent as grand tales of romance that span multiple years. Wong’s cinematic universe is a testament to this, with Chungking Express being another film that will linger in your subconscious for years to come. Perhaps the next time you hear California Dreamin’ by The Mama & The Papa’s, or the next time you eat canned pineapple. Experiencing a moment of connection is just as visceral and impactful as experiencing cinema that you connect with. Mementos of these experiences will reappear to remind us, sometimes we’ll forget completely until we come face to face, but sometimes it’ll remain.
Bonnie Huang