2046
d. Wong Kar-Wai, 2004
Easily the most beautiful film of 2004, Wong Kar-Wai's 2046 is a film that shares a lot of the same elements of his previous attemps, but at the same time is way more ambitious than anything he's done. Told mostly mostly in images and voice-over narration, 2046 is a reminder of how stunning a film can be when an artist knows what he wants to tell, and uses color, music, and emotion in a brilliant way to do so.
To watch 2046 is to witness some astonishing filmmaking, especially in its composition and framing. Wong is smart enough to shoot essentially his entire film in close-ups and medium shots. In a movie like this, keeping the camera close to the subjects plays a key role at enhancing the effect.
Describing the story of 2046 would be an exercise in futility, for it is better to experience it, as it is so abstract and lyrical. Suffice it to say, few films in recent years are as well-made and ambitious as this one.
