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As Tears Go By
旺角卡門
1988 98 min Hong Kong 18+
★7.2
Drama, Crime, Romance
Director: Wong Kar-Wai
Trailers
Description
Mid-level gangster Wah falls in love with his beautiful cousin, but must also continue to protect his volatile partner-in-crime and friend, Fly.
US Gross:
$9,436
Starring
Andy Lau
Actor
Maggie Cheung
Actor
Jacky Cheung
Actor
Awards
2 wins & 10 nominations total
Key opinion
As Wong Kar-wai's debut, As Tears Go By is widely regarded as a compelling bridge between traditional Hong Kong gangster cinema and the director's signature lyrical style. While some view the plot as a conventional, if well-executed, genre piece, most appreciate the nascent visual poetry and emotional depth that hint at his later masterpieces.
| Cinematography | The cinematography effectively uses neon-soaked lighting and fluid camera movement to transform gritty urban spaces into an evocative, atmospheric backdrop. | |
| Acting | Andy Lau and Maggie Cheung deliver strong, grounded performances that lend emotional weight to the central romance and the protagonist's internal conflict. | |
| Originality | The film succeeds as a stylistic evolution of the gangster genre, effectively blending visceral action sequences with tender, character-driven moments. | |
| Score | Critics are split on the score: some find it a perfect, nostalgic fit for the 1980s setting, while others feel it is formulaic and detracts from the film's emotional tone. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided between those who appreciate its straightforward, linear narrative and those who find the plot formulaic or reliant on genre clichés. |