This is writer/director Wong Kar Wai’s first English speaking movie, but being familiar with his work, this didn’t feel any different.

The visual style is certainly the same as his Hong Kong movies, in particular this film reminded me of Chungking Express and Fallen Angels. He uses slow motion a lot in all his movies, to create a certain mood. It’s different from what John Woo does with his slow mo action scenes. Here the emotional mood is highlighted.

His editing style is also very easy to spot, his cuts are not always linear, or they just skip through time in an unexpected way, so that at first you’re wondering what is going on. But it wasn’t confusing at all in this movie.

I would say this is probably one of his most accessible movies, which is a good choice for his first English speaking work. The plot is a simple one: it’s part road movie, part romance. But that’s not what this movie is about.

It’s about growing up, figuring what you want from life, going out on a journey and experiencing life. Once Elisabeth (Nora Jones) figured out herself, she could go back to NY and get on with her life there.

I liked the performances fine, nothing too brilliant or mindblowing. There are a lot of good actors in this little movie, most of them appearing in their own little story segment. Norah Jones is the main character, and she did a good job. The only problem I had was that she looks so much like Vanessa Ferlito (from CSI:NY and Deathproof), I kept thinking of Vanessa Ferlito.

I wouldn’t say this is his best movie, but it’s definitely a good one. Certainly more accessible than his previous 2046, which was much more artistic.

Rating: 3.5 Stars