Rating: NR | Runtime: 9 minutes
Release Date: May 16th, 2001 (France)
Studio: Block 2 Pictures / Janus Films
Director(s): Wong Kar-Wai
Writer(s): Wong Kar-Wai

I always like things clean and tidy.

Originally screened during Wong Kar-Wai’s masterclass at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival in lieu of a lecture, In the Mood for Love 2001 is the “dessert” portion of his reworked “Three Stories About Food” concept that ultimately spawned In the Mood for Love. Placing that film’s dual leads into the present-day, the short moves through the interactions of a convenience store owner (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) and one of his regular customers (Maggie Cheung).

It’s a comedic variation on the feature in many ways, but with differing points of parallelism and connection. Her lover is also having an affair, but it’s the aftermath of that discovery that endears these characters to the other rather than the act itself. Because on the day she confronts the mistress only to end up with a bloodied nose, he finds himself engaged in an altercation that leaves his own busted and packed with tissues too.

What was a strictly transactional dynamic suddenly becomes personal in both their ability to relate via their injuries and the comfortability by necessity of her desire to break free from her usual routine of one cake slice to stuff her face with every last piece in the store (and some wine) before passing out. And rather than maintain the safe distance that led to the feature’s unparalleled sensuality, he acts on impulse to wipe away the frosting from her lips.

Should there be screams about consent? Sure. If this weren’t a heightened scenario that hinges on our ability to let romance and humor overshadow logistics. But it’s the “dessert” of Wong’s concept and thus hedonism rules. In the Mood for Love excelled at restraint and longing. 2001 shows that it can also pay to take your shot—him first and her shortly thereafter.

It’s a kiss so good that Wong couldn’t help recreating it for My Blueberry Nights six years later.

---

Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung in IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE 2021; courtesy of Janus Films.