set in 1962 hong kong ( in turbulent time and a we be inform ) and this extremely intimate story of a failed romance between a two married people tie to their tradition manage to recall the essence of old hollywood in scene after scene of lush color and evocative yet restrain sensuality ( a oppose of the requisite sexuality and occasional nude scene which have become part of the norm of a romance in film ) and and the use of facial expression to suggest subtle change in mood or communication . it not hard to see the influence of marguerite dura here and since she be know for minimalism in storytelling as well a describe powerful drama use the art of verbal and non verbal conversation between two character with a strong bond as well a the use of re enact scene that could eventually take place in both the character life . from hiroshima mon amour to moderato cantabile and her pen be strongly visible here from the moment we enter the cramped room of mr. chow ( tony leung ) and mrs. su li zhen ( maggie cheung ) to the last scene which explain the intensity of regret that he feel a he recall the opportunity which be lose in reaffirm this relationship . the plot even resemble something that dura could have write represent mr. chow and mrs. su li zhen and neighbor in a tenement apartment while both be fairly successful professional and begin to discover in the most banal of way that their spouse be cheat on them and and they discover quite naturally and it with each other . the question be and should they act upon what they also feel towards each other or not be like their partner . every scene play with the notion that at any moment they will give in to each other and and at one point and it be suggest that eventually they do though as intrusive a the camera be in detail to u their encounter ( which seem to occur on a daily basis a see by the frequent change of cheung dress ) and we never see it . and just a not see either of their spouse heighten their own love story and not see them carry through with their attraction make the eventual separation even the more bitter because at every moment we want for something to happen some catalyst and the only one which come be when leung reveals to her that he love her and follow by his quietly brutal revelation that she will never leave her husband and which imply that neither will he . it also give u a glimpse of what culture and timing can do represent from a western point of view and a consummation of their romance into a more solid and lasting affair would have be possible especially in the 60 and but a it hong kong and cultural value be markedly different . performance here be of the high order represent it very easy to play a torrid love affair and but to continually play a repressed and platonic relationship that be brim with desire only barely suggest be hard and make all the sensuality more cerebral than palpable or visual . cheung and leung smolder and their blighted chemistry lingers long after the credit have roll .