Fallen Angels (1995)

Literally: Fallen Angels

Director: Wong Kar-Wai

Producer: Jeff Lau Chun-Wai

Writer: Wong Kar-Wai

Cast: Leon Lai Ming, Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing-Mo), Charlie Yeung Choi-Nei, Michelle Reis (Lee Ka-Yan), Karen Morris (Mok Man-Wai), Chan Fai-Hung, Chan Man-Lai, Benz Kong To-Hoi, Kwan Lee-Na, Wu Yuk-Ho

Running Time: 90 min.

Plot: Originally intended to be a third story in his now classic Chunking Express, Fallen Angels has emerged as what some critics have come to consider his "quintessential work." Set in the neon- washed underworld of present day Hong Kong, Fallen Angels intertwines two exhilarating tales of love and isolation. First, there's the unconsummated love affair between a contract killer (Leon Lai Ming) and the ravishing female agent (Michele Reis) who books his assignments and cleans up after his jobs. When the killer decides that he must move on, he leaves her with only a coin for the jukebox and instructions to play song number 1818 ? "Wang Ji Ta" ("Forget Him").

Ex-convict Ho (Takeshi Kaneshiro) stopped speaking at the age of five after eating a date expired can of pineapple. He lives with his father, who runs a guesthouse where the agent is in semi-permanent residence. Ho makes a living by re-opening shops that have closed for the night and intimidating customers into buying goods and services from him. After an awkward romance with a girl named Cherry, Ho Finds himself all the more aloneÉ Wong Kar-Wai brings these parallel storylines together in a blitz of ultra-hip style and classical cinematic sensibilities. A poet of modern alienation, Kar-Wai's universe is populated with characters both dark and comic, magical and existential; Fallen Angels is both a vie at revolutionary cinema and an homage to a love for movies.

ALEXANDER'S REVIEW: "Fallen Angels," Wong Kar-Wai's follow-up to "Chungking Express," is as stark a movie as "Chungking" is bright and airy.  Notable, really, only for Takeshi Kaneshiro's inspired performance as an amicable, mute "thug," "Angels" is simply too bleak to enjoy. The lingering scene of a character "satisfying herself" (ahem) is daring, sure, but only succeeds in beating us over the heads with something we already know: These characters are REALLY lonely. Yes, this film is "different," and I'm all for taking chances, but despite the fun of Kaneshiro's odd character, there's just not enough here to like. I'm just glad I saw "Chungking Express" before this or I might never have given WKW another chance.

ALEXANDER'S RATING: 6/10

YATE'S REVIEW: This is one of those movies that kind of grows on you. The first time I saw this movie, I had mixed reactions to it. I liked it, but thought it had nothing on Chungking Express, and for that reason I thought of it as a dissapointment. Now, after watching it a couple of more times, I like it even more than Chungking Express. It's a really wonderful film in it's own right. I think the main reason people dislike it is because it is a very dark film. Every shot, save the last one, takes place at night in a virtual monsoon, and all of the action takes place in small, dirty hallways and deserted subways, and other rather undesirable places. Another reason people probably dislike this film is that the characters are downright bizzare. Not quirky, like in Chungking Express, but downright strange. I think the two strangest performances are by Charlie Yeung and Karen! Mok. Especially Karen Mok. Her charector is like Faye Wong's Chungking Express character on crack. Trust me, this is one off the wall performance. I think yet another reason this film is not as well received as Chungking Express is that it does not have a particularly happy, upbeat ending. While it is a nice ending, the audience knows that no one in the movie will be any happier in the future. I still dont know why people dislike this film so much. It's meant to be dark and bizarre. If you watch it expecting Chungking Express, you will be dissapointed. This is not a romance film, it is more along the lines of film noir. Out of all the people who deserve mention for this wonderful film, three names stick out in particular. Takeshi Kaneshiro, Michele Reis, and Chistopher Doyle. Takeshi Kaneshiro gives the performance of a lifetime in the role of mute ex-convic! t He Qiwu. The section of the film concerning his charecter is funny, sad, and in the end, very touching. Michele Reis...well, what can I say, she looks great! Wong Kar Wai deserves major props for casting her in this role. I really felt bad for her charecter, The Agent. And the person who deserves more props than anyone? Christopher Doyle. You can press the freeze button on any part of this film and you will have an amazing still portrait. Thanks to the cinematography, this rises above film and into art. Chris Coyle is just as much a genius as Wong Kar Wai. This, in my opinion, is the best HK film I have ever seen, and it is my personal favorite film. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Wong Kar Wai is a genius.

YATE'S RATING: 10/10

PERKELE'S REVIEW: Art house director Wong Kar Wai once again brings to the screen a magnificently shot picture which wonders around the dark neon-colored HK nightlife. The cinematography is excellent but the whole film has no point. And it's pretty boring too. A killer (Leon Lai) kills people in some badly done shoot-outs [whit a cool version of Massive Attack's "Karmacoma" playing at the backgroundÉ.. "'cause I'm cool"] and some gothic type of girl follows him around and then masturbates at her house. Takeshi Kaneshiro succeeds delivering some funny comedic sequences with his character [who haven't talked since he ate some rotten pineapple. Nevertheless, the movie didn't hold my interest the and I doubt that anyone who's not a devoted art house faggot really likes this one.

PERKELE'S RATING: 3/10

YI-LONG'S REVIEW: First of all...This movie is DARK. With dark I mean the whole movie takes place at night, the characters are mostly the outcast of society and there is (almost) no humour in it. Unlike Wong Kar-wai's masterpiece Chunking Express, where most characters were very likeable, this movie just has some "interesting" characters in it. You never really get any kind of relationship with any of the characters, because they are either immoral, or they are just plain crazy (in a funny way). The acting in this movie is pretty good, most notablyTakeshi Kaneshiro's portrayal of the mute who breaks into other people's stores at night to EARN some money. This is the only character you will really feel for in the end. Visually this movie is pretty good, but the best thing about this movie must be the soundtrack: Every time Leon's character goes out, you get to hear a great song. The song that plays at the end of the movie is also extremely suitable. This movie is technically a great movie, but both story and characters are alot less interesting than WKW's other movies.

YI-LONG'S RATING: 7.5/10