Actor Obsession #2: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai

This is Day #2 of my new actor obsession, and an official foreign ones firsties! Some day I'll expand more about Tony Leung Chiu-Wai as an actor... that some day will probably come after I've seen more than three movies from him. That's right; I've only seen him in three movies - first, a solid performance in one of my all time favorite movies, Hero (2002), and the unforgettable, voluptuous, heartbreaking, now-classic In the Mood For Love (2000). I saw Hero when it first came out and liked him, but nothing came of it. After I saw the second feature, however, I was officially hooked. It's no secret that Robert De Niro was a fan of his work in In the Mood For Love (as any any English article will tell you, in order to establish a familiar reference base. See? You're already intrigued) and it makes sense. His acting, so reticent, open, revealing shades of emotion with a glance of the eyes - minimalist acting at its most haunting and best, is something De Niro would have surely appreciated. In this day and age of flamboyant monologues and "gritty vulnerability", the ability for silent performing is a rare gem.


I finished In the Mood For Love at 3 in the morning, but I was craving more, so I ended pulling an all-nighter. Thanks a lot, Tony Leung. I turned to Lust, Caution, the Ang Lee movie that I've always wanted to watch in a "oh yeah, some day I will" way, mostly because of the praise I've heard about Tang Wei's debut.

I don't want to launch into a review of the movie itself, which is flawed but still psychologically fascinating, as was In the Mood For Love (in fact, in the middle of ITMFL, I actually said aloud, "the is the most mindfuckery movie ever". My mother would have liked it. It falls into the Atonement category, with ripe costume-period porn with underlying eroticism and danger. Tony Leung plays Mr. Yee, who again doesn't talk very much, but whose alternating sadness and viciousness I found more terrifying due to its capricious nature. I was constantly mulling over whether the sadness allowed for a soul capable of true love and the viciousness just an unrestrained uh, manner of showing this love, or the other way around.

Anyways, his razor-sharp movements, sudden bursts of ferocity, and immediate presence (when he first enters the opening scene, there is never a trace of a doubt in your mind that he isn't a vastly distinguished and powerful personnel) makes for a truly fantastic performance. It's not great, because the lackluster writing doesn't make up the basis for a great character, or even half a character, but when Tony Leung inhabits the character, you can't take your eyes off him. From romantic-borderline-psycho to Mr. Loneliness, the charisma is unshakeable, subtle. No scene chewing necessary. At all.


It seems that he's one of those Great Movie Stars that is currently an extinct species in Hollywood. Can I just point out how unfair it is that in places like Hong Kong and Spain, the best actors also happen to be the most popular, while here we have so-called stars like Brad Pitt and Robert Pattinson? Even Leonardo Dicaprio in the long run will be viewed as a solid but nevertheless undistinguished and unoriginal actor, you mark my words. Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, on the other hand, is more along the lines of Humphrey Bogart, who possesses a trademark personality in all his films, but should NEVER, EVER be condemned for any "lack of versatility". All of Tony Leung's character are different. They have the trademark melancholy of his shy eyes perhaps, but even his most radically different character is not the 180-degree "transformation" that is so admired in today's acting, via crazy accent and complex makeup, but rather feels like an extension of his natural character. His Mr. Yee felt both a natural Tony Leung type character and an unexpected departure. This way, he retains a degree of his own authenticity while coloring the darker shades of the character, breathing Mr. Yee to life. That's such a fine, fine talent.

Mr Yee's rough wooing.

I especially love the minutes preceding the first sex scene. He's watching Tang Wei with unrestrained lust. She's aware of it. She coyly does all the right things; straddling his leg, impetuously tossing the cigarette he offers to the ground, slowly reveals her thigh. The effect is, quite literally, maddening. But we sense what we're dealing with when he not only submits to his desires but does it on his own terms - he dismisses her coy seductions with a hissing "are you playing hard to get?" and within a minute we get a glimpse of how exactly Mr. Yee rose through the ranks to become one of the top interrogators for the Japanese. He sits in the chair, watches, flexes his fingers once, and then goes berserk. I actually covered my eyes in shock from the force of the near-rape/sadomasochist sex that follows.

Tony Leung Chia-Wai has like a contractual agreement to chain smoke in all his modern movies, but that's fine. In fact, it's perfect. Like Humphrey Bogart, he was designed to smoke, or cigarettes were designed for him. Either way. There's something about the qualities of both that complement each other.....the subtle sensuality, the slow-burning movements and shadowy, charismatic spirals, the elegant languor....

My favorite shot of him from Hero (2002), partially because it comes as a stunning revelation. If you haven't seen it, Fucking. See. It. Now.

Next up: I really want to see "Infernal Affairs". Also because according to the message boards it's far superior to The Departed.

He's so gifted and reliable that after these three films he can officially join my All Times Favorites Club. Welcome to the club.

Al Pacino

Geoffrey Rush

Ralph Fiennes

Gene Hackman

Paul Rudd

Harvey Keitel

Daniel Day-Lewis

Edward Norton

Michael Sheen

Cillian Murphy

Viggo Mortensen

Tony Leung Chiu-Wai

Note: An actor obsession does not necessarily equate to an automatic entry into the all-time favorites list. For instance, I will always love Ben Whishaw dearly but he's hasn't really gotten there. The boy is talented but lacks that sensual It quality that I search for in all my beloved leading men. In fact there's something rather asexual about him.