What is the plot of 'In the Mood for Love'?

The film follows the story of Mr. Chow and Mrs. Chan, neighbors in 1960s Hong Kong who realize their spouses are having an affair and then develop an impossible love for each other.

Who directed 'In the Mood for Love'?

The acclaimed film was directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai.

Where was 'In the Mood for Love' filmed?

While set in 1960s Hong Kong, the film was actually shot in neighboring Macau and Bangkok over the course of a year.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / In the Mood for Love: A Cinematic Masterpiece Stands the Test of Time

In the Mood for Love: A Cinematic Masterpiece Stands the Test of Time

15 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love is considered one of the best films of all time
The film is set in 1960s Hong Kong and stars Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung
The film was an immediate sensation at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival

In the Mood for Love: A Cinematic Masterpiece Stands the Test of Time

In 2025, the legacy of Wong Kar-wai's 2000 film In the Mood for Love continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The critically acclaimed drama, set in 1960s Hong Kong, has consistently topped critics' polls as one of the greatest films of all time.

The film follows the story of Mr. Chow (played by Tony Leung) and Mrs. Chan (Maggie Cheung), neighbors in a crowded and shadowy apartment building who gradually realize that their respective spouses are having an affair. As they navigate this impossible situation, the two characters develop an undeniable connection and fall into a love that can never be.

Wong drew inspiration from his own childhood memories of growing up in Hong Kong, where families often shared cramped living spaces and had little privacy. "The characters in In the Mood for Love are inventions, but the world they move through came straight from my childhood memory," the director recalled.