Favorite scene?


Itfs surprising that no one has yet started a message board for this incredibly beautiful film, while other WKW films such as Chungking Express and In the Mood of Love are getting a certain number of posts.

There's lots of things that I'd like to talk about this film, but I just donft know where to begin.
So allow me to start the very first thread with this simple question, what is your favorite scene?

Mine would be when,

- Leslie takes Tony out for a walk in the rain.
- Tony suffering from cold is asked to cook for Leslie and gets mad, but hefs seen in the kitchen in the next moment.

- Two are dancing in the kitchen.
- Tony tries to come up with something for the tape recorder but fails and breaks into tears instead.
- any scenes with that beautiful gIguacu Fallsh lamp. I really want to get one for myself!
- the city of hong kong is viewed upside-down.

Anyone?

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Hi

I also thought there would be great discussions for this movie along with other WKW classics. I mean after all, it also starred the ever popular late singer Leslie Cheung. Brilliant chemistry between Tony and Leslie. In fact, I think most WKW movies don't have a script, the actors/actresses would have to go by planning out the scenes by their own interaction. Most of the crew I heard were sick during production, I guess that's why they look emotional mostr of the time.

Anyway my favourite scene was when Leslie wanted to sleep with Tony together, but Tony wanted to sleep separately. Funny scene and it gave us first clues of Leslie's sexuality.

There are things that money can't buy. For everything else, there's Kazaa...

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Man, you pretty much nailed what could be possibly be everyone's fav. scene.

So I'm thinking in another sense, maybe in terms of the photography.

I think it's a tie between the scene where Leslie and Tony are on the roof together(the lighting is brilliant, it makes you want to jump to the scene with them) and Lighthouse scene (the dark, haunting setting is just beatiful).

Both scenes also have lovely moments with the characters themselves as well.

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Thanks people, I also love the scenes that you all mentioned.

I just came up with another one. The moment when Tony touches Lesliefs eyelashes while he was sleeping. I was very impressed by the way WKW showed how much Tony cares about Leslie. Very eloquent indeed.


Turns out that lonely people are all the same.

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I adore this movie. It's one of my top ten best films. My favorite moment is when Leslie Cheung meets Tony Leung at the bus stop, right after Tony Leung has chucked his job. At that moment the two actors transcend gender. They are no longer gay or straight, just two people in love.

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Hi,
To answer your question, yes they do kiss and if you focused on those particular scenes putting the whole film aside, you might think they were gexplicith. But after watching the film, I didnft think they were that explicit. In fact the main characters being gay is not the issue here. Obviously the director didnft intend to encourage (or reject) gay relationship either. If you are still not sure, I suggest that you read other peoples comments too. :-)


Turns out that lonely people are all the same.

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Upon watching this film, I was attracted to the way in which it took its cues from traditional straight cinema. A scene that would be considered 'explicit' between two men certainly would almost play as routine between a man and a woman, but even that hardly seems the point. It's just real; that's what happens when men have sex together. It's a little bit passionate and a little bit awkward and a little bit dirty all at once. I was refreshed by its honesty, especially seeing it in the US, where sex between men is still so stomach-turning for the majority of the populace.

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Very well put, MalibuInc.

He said it's all in your head, and I said, so's everything--
But he didnt get it.

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Hi...

I actually have the same kind of curiosity.
How exactly is the so famed initial anal sex scene?
- is it explicit?
- are they body doubles?
- I read (here on IMDB) that Tony Leung Chiu Wai didn't know he was supposed to do a gay sex scene. Where does this information come from? And can't this actually be considered immoral (to drag someone to a film, and due to some artistic motivation be forced to do such a scene)?

Now that I've placed my questions, I must ensure that I'm not a conservative kind. Definitly not right wing! But still this issue of explicitness of sex in films is a controversy to me... And I'm not just talking about gay scenes like in this film, but straigh sex (like in "Lucia y el Sexo" or "Idioterne", which are, by the way, among my favorite). On one hand I understand there can be an especific purpose to it, but on the other, in most cases I've seen the explicit penetration were not necessary since everything else we're seeing is disturbing enough or serves the purpose. In the end, to me, it only reflects the arrogance of the directors (he knows we, the audience, are vulnerable to he's whishes).

The other issue is when the actors accept to do these explicit scenes. On "Lucia y el Sexo" and "Idioterne" I know they were body doubles. (but I was impatiant to know this ever since I've finished seeing the films). Some may suggest that it's nonesense to think that actors would do that in a film, and that doubles (porn actors) are used. But I've read (also here on IMDB) that there's an actress (european, if I recall correctly), that has perfomed an explicit blowjob.

Some may find this a conservative standpoint, but let me argue:
First, I believe anyone should do what they want. I'm not against porn, on the contrary! I actually applaude porn for being honest. It is what it is, and it serves it's purpose!
Now, other films and actors use a double standard. It's porn in a porn film, but art in an art film.
Furthermore, you can just ask yourselves why does a couple break up (not always, I understand) when one of them has sex with someone else? And more than that, what do you think is going through his (or her) mind? Especially if the other one is caught in the act! It becomes revolting!
The point is that in a film the actress (or actor) would be doing something which we imediatly interpret in that specific way. We almost always tend to understand and put ourselves in a character's shoes, a natural behavior. I believe that's not too far from trying to understand the actors. So in a way they become people "close" to us. And what would you think if your girlfriend, boyfriend or just friend would just have sex with someone in front of you and a room full of people?
By now you must be thinking I'm contradicting myself, because I said that I don't mind porn. The difference is exactly in the fact that because porn is so honest in that sence, it become much more bearable. Whereas in a "normal" film, hiding it under artistic motivation only makes it more sadistic. Just as one would feel if a girlfriend (or boyfriend) would say to you, after having sex with someone else: "It was just sex, it didn't mean anything" DOES IT MATTER? (by the way, I never understood people who say that as an attempt to smoothen things!) I think this applies to non conservatives as well!!! Don't think most non conservatives would reply: "Ok honey, we're a progressive couple! Was it good for you???"

Well, don't know if I explained myself. Hope it was clear. I respect anyone who would not agree with me, so I'm open to comments.

Anyways, this is way too long a post, so I also hope I haven't bored or annoyed anyone.

Thanks for reading!

Peace

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From what I remember, the sex scene isn't explicit. It's faked, like in most films. But still it's pretty steemy, they kiss and rub a lot. ;)

Wong kar-Wai, the director, never uses screenplays, and the actors are aware of that. They choose to play the game. And Tony didn't feel like he was trraped or something, at least he wasn't mad afterwards, because since then he made two more films with Kar-Wai (playing straight characters, by the way).

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Yeah pretty much all the great scenes have been mentioned but out of them the two that i really liked were
- when leslie wanted to sleep with tony (it was just so funny and endearing) and
- the two dancing in the kitchen.
God, that scene just blew me away, i felt just like the camera protrayed it to be, someone voyeuring on the two and i was able to sense that moment the two shared.

Oh and my fav scene that was mentioned but no one has actually claimed as their favorite or at least special scene was the sex scene at the beginning. I too was curious about the way it would be protrayed but it turned out to be one of my fav scenes. haha it was just so passionate, i mean it was playful at first, but you just see it develop into something more and it kept in touch with the protrayol of the rest of the film. (besides both the actors were really hot, so even tho i'm a straight female, i can't say i wasn't intrigued) :)

Anyways, i could just watch those scenes over and over. Great film so for those who may be apprehensive on viewing, give it a try and be open-minded and if you just can't take it, fast forwward its right at the beginning so just miss that and watch the rest. it's really worth seeing.

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I think you monopolised all of the favourite scenes, Mai. I find it difficult to disagree with your choices.

I loved when Tony was ill - and got really mad at Leslie for even having the nerve to ask him to cook, and it cuts to Tony pathetically attempting to cook wrapped in a blanket. I was laughing out loud.

I guess the most affecting scene in many ways is when Tony just breaks down with the tape recorder. It was very unexpected at that point to see such an open display of emotion, in the middle of a tango bar.

Some other moments that particularly stay in my mind are both Tony Leung moments, and both very similar. Near the beginning when Leslie stumbles into Tony's bar with some male friends. Just the look of helplessness on Tony's face is so unbelievably expressive. He also has exactly the same facial expression when he comes home from work to find that Leslie is not waiting for him. In these moments, he seems to be the most innocent man in the world - totally open and unable to mask the pain. For me, both are examples of why he is the best actor in the world right now....totally open.

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Tony and Leslie dancing in the kitchen and Tony crying to the tape recorder are two great scenes.

No one here have mention and is my absolute favorite scene/shot in the movie is when Tony walks out of the bar then camera pulls back to Leslie in the car. A focus change to Leslie. He lights up a smoke then turns back for a glimpse of Tony. He turns back to blow a mouthful of smoke. The score was on key to every movement. Wong Kar Wai and Christopher Doyle having the creativity to even think of this shot amazes me.

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Yes, I agree with the 3 scenes you mentioned. I also like to add one more; it's when Tony and Leslie were in the Taxi together after a visit from the hospital. It's my favourite scene in the whole movie.

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I just saw this movie, and so at the moment every scene for me is recalled as beautiful, moving. Another moment I enjoyed (among all those mentioned) is in the restaurant kitchen when the young man first makes an effort to engage Lai Yiu-fai. It was like seeing the older man in this young one, curious and open.

This is the second movie I've seen of Wong Kar-Wai, and I'm in awe.

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I think the last scene you mention is my favorite too. It's the one where we first here the Frank Zappa tune Chaunga's Revenge, which is one of the musical refrains throughout the movie.

I also like the last scene on the train.

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