In the Mood for Love 2001

Chow and Su move to Hong Kong

In 1962, Chow Mo-wan and Su Li-zhen, two Shanghainese expatriates, settle into adjoining apartments in British Hong Kong. Both of them are grappling with the emotional strain of having absent spouses who are often caught up in their demanding careers.

Landlady and neighbors

Their living situation is complicated by the intrusive nature of their landlady, Mrs. Suen, and their lively mahjong-playing neighbors. This community offers a mix of warmth and distraction, but Chow and Su still find themselves mostly alone as they navigate their respective loneliness.

Discovery of the affair

Chow and Su’s lives take a dramatic turn when they uncover that their spouses are having an affair. This shocking revelation leads them to forge an unexpected bond, as they unite in their desire to figure out how the infidelity began and to distract themselves from their pain.

Collaborative writing

In a bid to cope with their new reality, Chow invites Su to collaborate on a martial arts serial project. This creative undertaking marks the beginning of a deepening friendship, as they spend time together, sharing both ideas and personal stories.

Secluded hotel stay

As their work progresses, Chow books a secluded hotel room for them to focus on writing without distractions. In this intimate setting, their initial camaraderie begins to bloom into romantic feelings, though both are hesitant to acknowledge this developing connection.

Chow's job offer

An opportunity arises for Chow to take a new job in Singapore, and he reaches out to Su with hopes that she will accompany him. The prospect of leaving Hong Kong together breathes new life into their budding romance, but their timing is tragically off.

Missed connection

Su arrives to see Chow off, but tragically, she is too late to accompany him to Singapore. This missed connection becomes a poignant moment in their evolving relationship, marking a turn in their paths that will linger with them both.

Chow's reminiscence

In Singapore, Chow shares a reflection with a friend about fond memories from Hong Kong, including childhood secrets whispered into hollows of trees. This nostalgia emphasizes the unresolved feelings he harbors for Su and the significance of their lost moments.

Su's unexpected visit

Unexpectedly, Su arrives at Chow's apartment in Singapore but remains silent when she calls. This moment highlights the longing between them, subtly implied through a cigarette butt with lipstick that Chow discovers later—a bittersweet reminder of Su's presence.

Years pass

Three years slip by as Chow and Su continue to live separate lives yet remain tethered by their past experiences. During this time, Su seeks out their landlady, Mrs. Suen, inquiring about renting her old apartment, showcasing her wish to return to familiar grounds.

Chow returns to Hong Kong

Chow returns to Hong Kong, hoping to reconnect with his former landlords, the Koos. While inquiring about them, he learns that a woman and her child now live in the apartment next to Su's old place, leaving Chow with unresolved feelings about his past with Su.

Chow in Cambodia

Amidst the turmoil of the Vietnam War, Chow finds himself in Cambodia. It is there, at the iconic Angkor Wat, that he reflects deeply on his and Su's relationship and the emotional burdens they've both carried over the years.