Before I even landed in Singapore, I have already messaged our Movie Review Squad member TK to book three tickets to watch “My Blueberry Nights”. It is rather unusual to have a Hong Kong director to write, direct, and produce an English film that is packed with big names such as Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, and Natalie Portman. I am a big fan of Jude, Rachel, and especially Natalie. Besides, how can I miss an International film created by someone who is brought up in Hong Kong? For all I know, he could be my hero and role model and a testimony that we too can make a mark in the International scene.
“My Blueberry Nights” falls under the category of films having a main storyline that strings together a few other sub-stories – the type of films that I particularly enjoy watching. The main story evolves around the love story of Norah Jones and Jude Law. While Elizabeth (Jones) takes the long route to meet up with the man she loves, she encounters a couple in separation (Rachel Weisz and David Strathairn) and later on, a girl at a casino (Portman). Within these two sub-stories, there are elements of addiction on alcohol and gambling. Each character is introduced as someone whom you probably don’t really care in the beginning due to negative behaviors – to borrow Cynthia’s words – and slowly developed into characters who you do care and relate to in the end. Slow is the key word here as I can imagine, not many people can stand the pace of this film (111 minutes). Though I agree that this film can trim down a fair bit in order to fasten the pace, I can certainly admire the art within. Cynthia, to my surprise, enjoys “My Blueberry Nights” while TK does not like it at all. I am surprised that Nona Jones can act (by the way, need not to say, the tracks sang by her are marvelous). My favorite scenes still come from Natalie Portman. She is such a talented actress.
So, what the verdict? Low in entertainment value perhaps but high in artistic value I would say.
4 replies on “My Blueberry Nights – An Art House Type Of Movie By Wong Kar Wai”
Wilfrid, I enjoy reading your movie reviews. Always makes me want to catch movies that catch my eye. Sigh. I used to be a movie freak who would watch 1 movie every week back in Spore. But having relocated here, the lack of choices and distance to the cinema put me off from watching. Can you imagine my last movie was Transformers?!!! Oh well.
JT – Thanks! I know … and fear not, you will be back in Singapore this year! How cool is that? We should plan for some horror movies that my squad doesn’t want to watch with me.
Call LL too. I miss her screams.
[…] all take turn within the squad. Since TK was not particularly delighted by my last pick on “My Blueberry Nights”, I let him pick this time. When he texted me with the movie title, I turned to Cynthia and asked […]
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