Understanding Happy Together (1997) | Are You Toxic?

[@annachang7323]

For me, it seems that Chang is a gay man coming to awakening of his sexuality and Fai sees Chang as a younger version of himself. Chang ran away from his family cause he’s not happy, just like Fai and his father, could have smth to do with their sexuality. Chang is not into girls with “high voice”, and takes interest in Fai: taking care of Fai every time after he got drunk, tagging along, waiting for him at the same bar after his trip, curious about Fai’s lover. Even Ho had a sense that Chang is someone he should be to worried about. The final embrace of Fai and Chang, they both relaxed and leaned in more to each other, almost in a romantic way, and Chang’s face shows some realization. For Fai, Chang is probably a chance for Fai to be kind and gentle to the “younger him”.

[@fadingnebulous]

This a wondrous interpretation of the film.

[@myathtin9521]

I like to think Chang is not gay. The thing between Fai and Chang is called friendship.

[@EJX220]

As a queer person myself, I saw Chang was queer too. He didn’t want to come out because he was unsure if Fai was also gay. He cared for Fai, being his only friend in a foreign country. He didn’t want to risk losing his friendship by coming out to him. Fai was also too broken and hurt by Ho to come out and just let himself fall for Chang.

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

thanks for the insight...always like seeing how other people view a movie from their perspective...thank you!

[@menofozs12348]

I believe "Happy Together," like Wong Kar-wai's other films, cannot avoid political allegorical interpretations. Especially since "Happy Together" was produced on the eve of the 1997 Hong Kong handover to China. Leslie Cheung's character represents pre-1997 Hong Kong, indulgent and free but ultimately abandoned on the other side of the Earth. Tony Leung's character represents post-1997 Hong Kong, constantly trying to return to a homeland, but we never see him "return to Hong Kong" until the end of the movie. Zhang Zhen's character, of course, represents Taiwan. When Lai leaves Argentina to go to Taiwan to find Chen (especially when Lai arrives in Taiwan and the TV reports the death of Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping), it symbolizes Hong Kong people trying to find the disappearing spirit of freedom in Taiwan but never knowing if they can find it.

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

that's a good point...thanks!

[@lucacom6217]

I just had the chance to see this movie back again in a teather and I had confirmation of how great director Wong Kar Wai is: the story, the photography, the music and two amazing great actors, everything is at a really high level. Great cinema!

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

he has become my favourite of all time after watching his movies

[@huannobrega]

I come here after every single Wong Kar Wai movie, to see your perspective of them. As I said before, you've done an awesome job!

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thanks for the support on all the videos!

[@agustinapo6841]

This movie is beautiful, the tango scene was tender 😢❤ I remember watching this film without knowing it was filmed in my country and was so shocked! Ps ur content is great!

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thank you for the comment!

[@1988-x]

Aguante Argentina Agustinaaaaaaaaaaaa

[@hellnatov9109]

Your comments about films are as poetic and beautiful as the films themselves. I love your reviews :)

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

I appreciate the comment! I feel a bit shit at the moment so it was nice reading this...thanks

[@hellnatov9109]

@@filmisjustmovingpictures that's the fate of sensitive and creative people, we have a tormented soul that makes us feel sad from time to time lol... Channel those feelings in an artistic way whenever possible ;)

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

I've been writing a lot more recently which helps. Thanks again for the nice comment :)

[@wha-258]

This was amazingly put together! Thank you for the content. :)

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@imsleepy620]

Really good content my guy. A bit repetitive at times, but overall very well put together. I can see you growing tremendously in the very near future. Keep going at it!

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thanks for the feedback! I agree that I can get repetitive which I'm trying to work on. But I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@trixinred]

Passioned love is inevitably toxic, it's like a drug. Isn't it? I trully love passionately this film. Thanks for your explanation, I also loved it. ❤👏

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Mutantman02]

What a good edit on such a underrated gem

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thanks for the comment!

[@Wildberry_Cottage]

oh my, i was holding my breath the whole time while watching this short video and didn't even realize until the end.

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Appreciate the comment, thank you!

[@raghavgupta2399]

Great analysis of the film. Really loved how you fleshed out the characters. I have my own personal story with the movie. I watched this with a person, we were madly in love with each other but could not express. Then we had a fight and we ended things there. Sometimes, I wonder what may have been...

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

some chapters just have to remain unfinished

[@frankgillet2752]

Probably my favourite WKW film!! Excellent analysis:)

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

I'm glad you liked the video!

[@stergiosmimidakis2911]

Thank you so much for this review. Να είσαι πάντα καλά.

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@eb9450]

This was great. Watching this movie this evening. Thanks :)

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thanks for watching and I'm glad you liked it!

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Are you toxic?

[@lpcoral2000]

The only thing I feel bad about the ending is that Fai never gives Ho his pasaport back :’v Bro like what is he gonna do at the other side of the world without a passport? At least Fai could have given it to the landlord of his aparent so he can keep it for Ho 😭

[@myathtin9521]

Thats what I was thinking bruh. The freaking passport.

[@alpinarief8643]

If you watch it again, he left it on the table of his old apartment. Maybe somehow he know Ho will come back to that place

[@tristannguyen786]

Hi, I'm quite a fan of your commentary! I watched this months ago and came back to it today because something reminded me of your essay on Happy Together. If possible, I'd love you to make a video essay on Manchester by the Sea. It's another movie that makes me feel a certain way, and I'd really appreciate to hear your interpretation of it :)

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

thanks for the comment! i don't think i'm emotionally ready for the onslaught of sadness that movie will give me but i have actually been thinking about it...so it might happen...

[@brightskysyl3913]

Did Fai really hide Po-wing’s passport? If so, that’s so cruel.

[@EmilyOnTheMoon]

Was it confirmed that Chang was straight? I don’t remember the film confirming. Either way amazing video omg

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

I'm not too sure anymore but I don't think so if I had to guess...also, I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@thaitranslatortony7256]

Bravo

[@filmisjustmovingpictures]

Thank you!

[@aanchalvlogs3402]

I think I am toxic

[@annabridgeta]

where can i watch this

[@tohereknowswhen779]

I dont think Fai is inlove w Chang.