		Year: 1994 Director: Wong Kar Wai Starring: Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung, Faye Wong, Takashi Kaneshiro Genre: Arthouse Literal title translation: 'Chung King Forest'

Two disconnected stories about Hong Kong policemen jilted by their girlfriends. In the first Takashi Kaneshiro goes into a bar on his birthday determined to fall in love with the first woman he sees and picks up a blonde wigged Brigette Lin. In the second story Tong Leung, pining over his ex-girlfriend doesn't notice the counter girl at a fast food restaurant (where his keys have been dropped off) has a crush on him, and is subtly redecorating his department when he is at work.

Apparently, Wong Kar Wai filmed this between the gaps of the long shoot in his other film 'Ashes of Time'. It doesn't show and has gone on to become his most watched and regarded film. Full with eccentric characters Wong has filled his narrative with excellent little touches and again allows you to sympathise with his characters. Singer Faye Wong has the best part and makes a very convincing debut as the counter girl in love with the song 'California Dreaming'. This film needs to be experienced first hand to obtain the full impact and the two interwoven stories are both as compelling as one another. Perhaps a bit slow in places 'Chungking Express' always leaves you wondering what actions the characters will take next. Wong's Hong Kong is a city of lost opportunities where people are lonely and no-one is ever happy with their existence. It is set in the urban backstreets and demonstrates that although Hong Kong is such a crowded island isolation is rife.

I suggest that you watch this film before watching it's excellent semi-sequel 'Fallen Angels' as they both compliment each other. Widely regarded as Wong's best film 'Chungking' falls just short of this accolade by being a bit slow and drawn out in places. But when it's good it's excellent.