The ever-intriguing and justly celebrated Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai (Chungking Express, In the Mood for Love, etc.) makes his English-language debut with this tale of missed connections. Upon breaking up with her boyfriend, Elizabeth (Jones) stops at a New York diner and charms upbeat proprietor Jeremy (Law). She hits the road and meets many lost souls along the way, including a cop (Strathairn), his ex-wife (Weisz) and a gambler (Portman), while Jeremy dreamily awaits her return. Like many foreign filmmakers making their English-language debuts, Wong may appear slightly out of step with the film’s locations and dialogue, and especially with the casting of pop singer Jones. (Casting pop singers is standard practice in Hong Kong, but Jones is only adequate, rather than outstanding.)
Wong’s beautiful frames, filled with windows, reflections, lights and colors and a dazzling array of sounds, from distant thunder to tinkling bracelets, establish his all-important mood. We can practically feel the air, from the bright sun and nighttime chill to cigarette smoke and steaming plates. However, Hollywood seems to have lifted his usual dark cloud in favor of a tear-stained twinkle. Crime novelist Lawrence Block co-wrote the movie’s screenplay and its playful dialogue, and though his words may seem to clash with Wong’s tone, they actually sound great and open up Wong’s images in surprising new ways. The film is also lighter in mood and tone than other Wong films, but even if that’s the case, it’s certainly not a bad thing. Either way, the new film is unmistakably Wong, and My Blueberry Nights is made with far more skill, heart, atmosphere and intelligence than many American pictures so far this year.
My Blueberry Nights
****
Jude Law, Norah Jones, David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz, Natalie Portman
Directed by Wong Kar-wai
Rated PG-13