Chun Gwong Ja Sit / Happy Together (1997) - Starting Anew while Facing Struggles - 7/10 (17/10/24)

Happy Together, originally known as Chun Gwong Ja Sit, is Wong Kar-Wai's sixth full length feature film that was released just a month before British Hong Kong was transferred to the People's Republic of China. This movie remains faithful to some of the director's typical trademarks such as experimental camera work, a profound focus on character development and an eclectic soundtrack. However, this film also walks off the beaten path since it has been filmed in Argentina, Hong Kong and Taiwan, its two protagonists form a homosexual couple and the story doesn't involve any gangster movie elements.

This film tells the story of a homosexual couple consisting of ambitious and hard-working Lai Yiu-Fai as well as spontaneous and free-spirited Ho Po-Wing. They have decided to leave British Hong Kong to give their unstable relationship a fresh start in Argentina. The protagonists initially embrace the energy of football, the feeling of the Spanish language and the techniques of tango. However, they soon grow apart again. While Lai Yiu-Fai gets different jobs and works hard to pay for a plane ticket back home, Ho Po-Wing gets involved with a series of lovers who are abusive and leave him mentally and physically scarred. The protagonists try to reunite time and again but fail to be on the same wavelength. Things get even more complicated when Lai Yiu-Fai falls in love with dynamic Taiwanese work colleague Chang who wants to travel the world.

Happy Together convinces in several departments. First of all, this movie is shot in black and white with only a few segments shot in colour. This provides much atmospheric depth and also tells viewers that the film takes place in the time when British Hong Kong still existed in the last millennium. Up next, the idea to portray the struggles of a homosexual couple living abroad was courageous, innovative and surprising in the mid-nineties and shows perspectives many viewers might not yet have been aware of. By doing so, it also spreads a wonderful inclusive message that is still on the pulse of time. The acting performances are so credible that one could think that Tony Leung, Leslie Cheung and Chang Chen are simply being themselves. The settings in Argentina are intriguing, new and unique. The fact that simple living quarters, busy nocturnal downtown areas and sinister slaughterhouses are shown adds to the film's serious atmosphere. These locations are intertwined with wonderful shots of the famous Iguazú Falls and the southernmost lighthouse on continental America located close to Ushuaia. The settings might truly make viewers want to visit Argentina.

However, Happy Together isn't without several flaws. The film's pace is particularly slow throughout and it takes much dedication, focus and patience to enjoy this movie from start to finish. The story remains simple and several plot devices are repeated on too many occasions, such as the frequent arguments between Lai Yiu-Fai and Ho Po-Wing. The film's ending leaves numerous questions unanswered as viewers are tasked to imagine the rest which could frustrate spectators who might have been hoping for a thorough conclusion. Several scenes that have additionally been shot in Argentina and that can be viewed in the making-of segment, haven't made it into the final version of this film or into any other feature film by Wong Kar-Wai. Some promising potential has thus been wasted as especially Shirley Kwan's participation as a stunning actress would have deserved some recognition. Perhaps viewers will one day get an extended cut or a sequel made out of scenes shot in those chaotic days in the mid-nineties.

At the end of the day, Happy Together shows much promise with remarkable acting skills, excellent camera work, a beautiful inclusive message, wonderful plot elements and diversified settings. This film however suffers from its slow pace, unused additional scenes and vague ending sequences. Many parts of this movie have been randomly put together. Some viewers might praise this spontaneity while others might criticize its directionlessness. Even though I appreciate Wong Kar-Wai exploring new elements with this courageous film, its bothersome downsides lead to this movie being the worst in his filmography up to that point in his career. Happy Together is thus only recommended to adamant fans of his filmography and viewers interested in romantic dramas revolving around homosexuality.