Happy Together
Gay | The Queer Film Guide | New Queer Cinema: The Director's Cut | Drama | Glasgow Film Festival 2024 | 1997
Original Title
Chun gwong cha sit- Director: Kar Wai Wong
- Writer: Kar Wai Wong
- Producer: Ye-cheng Chan; Kar Wai Wong
CGiii Comment
An angry, perhaps, unengaging and monotonous examination of a dysfunctional relationship.
Kar-Wai certainly does challenge his audience - which is not a bad thing - but, his style alienates rather than absorbs. That may have been his intention since the film deals almost exclusively with alienation - and it is relentless.
Some may marvel at the cinematography, some may not - this is an important film...but, it is hard to watch.
For an acquired taste that appreciates talent...ponder awhile on the title...some of us are happy being miserable...together!
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Yiu-Fai and Po-Wing arrive in Argentina from Hong Kong and take to the road for a holiday. Something is wrong and their relationship goes adrift. A disillusioned Yiu-Fai starts working at a tango bar to save up for his trip home. When a beaten and bruised Po-Wing reappears, Yiu-Fai is empathetic but is unable to enter a more intimate relationship. After all, Po-Wing is not ready to settle down. Yiu-Fai now works in a Chinese restaurant and meets the youthful Chang from Taiwan. Yiu-Fai's life takes on a new spin, while Po-Wing's life shatters continually in contrast.
Cast & Characters
Leslie Cheung as Ho Po-wing;
Tony Leung Chiu Wai as Lai Yiu-fai;
Chen Chang as Chang;
Gregory Dayton as Lover;
Shirley Kwan