Freeview film of the day (UK) : thursday 23rd of May

In The Mood For Love (2000 97min.) [Film4 1.55am friday &+1]

Romantic drama set in 1960s Hong Kong starring Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung. Chow Mo-Wan and Mrs Chan live in the same apartment block - both are married, both desperately lonely. Suspecting their respective partners of infidelity, the pair forge a close but tentative friendship - all the while fearing discovery by their neighbours.

Beautifully shot and directed film that is part love story, part mystery thriller.
Director Wong Kar-Wai creates a hypnotic, almost dreamlike world for his characters to inhabit and then moves them through it with great skill and a great eye for detail.

His two leads are both excellent - absurdly handsome Tony Leung won the best actor prize at Cannes for his performance as the lonely newspaper editor who forms a tight bond of friendship with the lovely Maggie Cheung's character, an abandoned wife with unfulfilled dreams.

Their friendship grows through a series of perfectly staged scenes all set in cramped areas - alleys, corridors, too small rooms, restaurant booths - as though the physical location was pushing them together.

The final act is a bit rushed and hasty but for ninety minutes the story, acting and direction will hold you firmly in your seat.