Fallen Angels (1995)

Its time again for another featured Letterboxd List review! The list we’re working off of this week is the Official Top 250 Films with the Most Fans. In particular, we are looking at number 111 on the list with…Fallen Angels (1995).

Title: Fallen Angels

Director: Wong Kar-wai

Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes

Released: September 14, 1995 (Toronto International Film Festival)

Available to stream on: Max and The Criterion Channel

Admittedly, I am not very familiar with Wong Kar-wai’s work. I know that with him, it’s about the style, the framing, and the colors. Having enjoyed Chungking Express (1994), I was looking forward to Fallen Angels (1995).

Wong Chi-ming (Leon Lai) is a hitman who works with his business partner (Michelle Reis). Why does a hitman have a business partner? Simple, he is lazy and doesn’t want to have to do any of the planning. Show up, eliminate the target, leave, that’s his preferred way of operating. At least, that was his way of operating.

He’s decided he wants to walk away from the business. His partner is devasted. She is deeply in love with him and wants him to stay. Try as she might, he remains distant and keeps their relationship strictly professional. A sort of cat-and-mouse game of love ensues.

However, this is a Wong Kar-wai film, so will there be a coherent ending to their love story?

The answer to that question is no. And even as I’m sitting here writing this, I don’t know how I feel about that.

From a style standpoint, Fallen Angels (1995) is, for the most part, very impressive. The use of wide angles, having the colors and shadows tell more of a story than the dialogue, all look great and work well. You feel the chaotic sense of the city under the neon, to the point where it can seem overwhelming and disorienting. While at the same time, you can also get the sense of loneliness from it all.

However, there were times where the wide-angle felt like I was being forcefully drug through a music video. Just aimlessly wandering through these spaces until the needle-drop ends. I understand that it’s supposed to be about the visual journey more than anything. And yes, I can see how just wandering along, not in control, fits the overall theme. But in the moment, when I’m watching the film, it took me out of it.

Also, the entire secondary plotline with the mute character, felt entirely unnecessary and shoehorned in. It certainly didn’t do any favors in trying to make things feel somewhat cohesive.

The visual appeal of Fallen Angels (1995) is its saving grace with me. If you’re a fan of Wong Kar-wai, odds are you’ve already seen this. If you haven’t, I’d recommend it but wouldn’t rush to go cross it of your list.

So, let me hear it. If you’ve seen Fallen Angels (1995), tell me what you think of it in the comments below or on social media!

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