Millennium Mambo (2001)

The ethereally beautiful Vicky recalls her romances with Hao Hao and Jack in the neon-lit clubs of Taipei.

Director:

Hsiao-Hsien Hou

Writer:

T'ien-wen Chu

Stars:

Shu Qi, Jack Kao, Chun-hao Tuan

6 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Shu Qi	...	Vicky
Jack Kao	...	Jack
Chun-hao Tuan	...	Hao-Hao
Jun Takeuchi	...	Jun
Ko Takeuchi	...	Ko
Doze Niu	...	Doze (as Chen-er Niu)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Pauline Chan
Yi-Hsuan Chen	...	Xuan
Hui-ni Hsu	...	Cat
Rio Peng

Storyline

Taipei. A voice off-camera looks back ten years to 2000, when Vicky was in an on-again off-again relationship with Hao-Hao. She's young, lovely, and aimless. He's a slacker. Cigarettes and alcohol fuel her nights. We see bits of her life: when Hao-Hao steals his father's Rolex and the police detain them; when she gets a job as a club hostess, where she meets Jack, who becomes her patron and protector; when Hao-Hao comes to the club, insisting on talking to her; when she visits Yubari, Japan, for its film festival in the dead of winter; when Jack must go to Japan to straighten out trouble caused by one of his acolytes. Does Vicky have any expectations? Does time simply pass?

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Plot Keywords:

drug | police officer | taipei taiwan | obsessed man | film festival | 

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Taglines:

Aisareru isshun ga watashi no subete ni naru [Japan]

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, drug content and some sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Chosen by "Les Cahiers du cinéma" (France) as one of the 10 best pictures of 2001 (#03)

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Alternate Versions

The version screened at the Cannes International Film Festival ran 119 minutes. Hsiao-Hsien Hou then re-cut the movie following its Cannes premiere and reduced the running time to 105 minutes. Most of the deleted footage came from the "Vicky in Japan" sequences and is included as an extra on most DVD releases.

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Connections

References Violent City (1970)

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Soundtracks

A chat
Written by Giong Lim

User Reviews

Poetic film with uninteresting characters

I saw this movie at Vancouver International Film Festival. As typical of a HHH movie showing, some audiences walked out, which means it is slow-paced. Again with his customary long shots, all the acting and actions appear quite realistic. Jack Kao is convincing and cool as always. Shu Qi brings a credible portrayal to a not-so-interesting character. And the movie has a lyrical feel (especially the opening tracking shot and the snow scenes), accompanied nicely by the atmospheric theme music.

However, the two main characters just don't have appealing personalities. Like the characters in "South Goodbye South", both Vicky and Hao are restless, aimless & not very bright. (Lifeless) Rebels without a cause. I am wondering whether this is how Hou and Chu (the screenwriter) perceive the twentysomethings in Taiwan. Since Vicky is narrating from 10 years into the future, I do realize she will mature. Her transformation that starts here was not shown convincingly though. I also know that this is the first of a series of films on this decade, but it doesn't feel fully realized on its own.

I also have a slight problem with the narration preceding the real events. It makes the expected events boring, when the real events don't bring anything extra (e.g. contradiction, irony) to the narration.

Compared to "South Goodbye South", this one may not be as ambitious thematically. While "South Goodbye South" has a lot of boredom and dread (possibly intentionally so), I like the poetic, reflective and semi-nostalgic mood of "Mambo" much more.

Details

Country:

Taiwan France

Language:

English Japanese Mandarin

Release Date:

31 October 2001 (France)

Also Known As:

Millennium Mambo

Filming Locations:

Taiwan

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,619, 4 January 2004

Gross USA:

$14,904

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$393,351

Company Credits

Production Co:

3H Productions, Orly Films, Paradis Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min 105 min (edited) 101 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1