Happy Together (1997) ½
literal translation: Spring Light Leaking
cast: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Leslie Cheung, and Chang Chen
director: Wong Kar-wai

In the oddest way (what do we expect from Wong Kar-wai), "Happy Together" reminds me of couples in my life past, present, and undoubtedly future. The film's two leads and their relationship together should at least spark memories, even if we (like me) haven't had any real contact with homosexual couples. But alas, even if we never will, writer-director Wong Kar-Wai (infamously known for his pretensions art house opuses) is going to let us explore the troubled relationship of a couple of such sexual nature.

Ho Bo Wing (Leung) and Lai Yui Fai (Cheung) are two gay Chinese lovers vacationing in Argentina. Prelude to this moment in Hong Kong, Wing and Fai have gotten into yet another fight in their long-term relationship; which Wing explains through narration, is as common as breaking up and then "starting over" as Fai wants to do after every fight.

This time "starting over" simply means having sex and really nothing more. This is Fai's way of manipulating his partner into staying in the relationship through sexual pleasure; while still denying Wing the companionship he seeks.

While in Argentina the couple gets into yet another fight and once more break-up.

Staying in Argentina, Wing finds work as a doorman to a popular club and Fai bums around on the streets selling himself to Argentina's gay male population. This of course also comes with a price as Fai is regularly mugged because of his line of work.

Eventually Wing and Fai cross paths and decide to "start over" and their troubles begin all over again. The two continue through the motions of bickering, fighting, throwing anything within an arm reach, and even having physical confrontation. Wing starts working at a restaurant, while a badly beaten Fai stays at home going through his boyfriend's personal belongings and makes "long" trips on his way out to get cigarettes.

Wing finds friendship with another Chinese worker in the restaurant (Chen), but is still plagued by Fai's emotional ruthlessness.

After witnessing Wong's sword-meets-art disaster "Ashes of Time" and his disgustingly pretentious "Fallen Angels"--a film like "Happy Together" seems pleasing to my cinematic tastes. Despite the fact that it really starts to slow down in the last 20 min. and makes no valid attempt at finding a climax or ending Wong's intriguing direction combined with Christopher Doyle's cinematography is astounding enough for us to all but look beyond and forget that the script is at times a tad undeveloped.

Like Wong's 1994 film "Chungking Express", the direction is constantly complimented by Doyle's cinematography. The first part of the film is shot in black and white that is a rare treat because not too many Hong Kong films are shot in this fashion. When the film regains color, we are finally able to see the type of brightly faded neon imagery Wong attempted to use (and went ballistic with) in "Fallen Angels" combined with his fanatic style of "art film" direction.

Some of the scenes in the film are shot to be beautiful--others breathe taking and even more continue in Wong's fashion that often annoys and yet (this time) manages to hold our attention at all times.

When Wong discovers how to combine these strong points with a solid script--he might be the biggest thing in the Hong Kong art community since earth tones.