REVIEW: DVD Release: Happy Together

Film: Happy Together
Release date: 26th January 2009
Certificate: 15
Running time: 93 mins
Director: Wong Kar-wai
Starring: Leslie Cheung, Kwok-Wing, Tony Leung, Chiu-Wai, Chang Chen
Genre: Drama
Studio: Artificial Eye
Format: DVD
Country: Hong Kong

Flamboyant, camp and loud are the characteristics of a homosexual man which mainstream media has been keen to exaggerate - damaging displays of what it is to be gay dominate today’s society. I’m glad to say that these representations are a million miles away from what director Wong Kar-wai chooses to present in his 1997 outing, Happy Together.

As with most of Wai’s work, the story is limited and focuses on one particular area. We follow the on/off relationship of Lai (Tony Leung - Chungking Express, Lust, Caution) and Ho (Leslie Cheung - Ashes Of Time, A Better Tomorrow). After arriving in Argentina as a couple, suddenly they break up. Ho has been deeply affected by this event. He is trying to move on with his life, but now working in Buenos Aires as a doorman at a Tango bar, Ho unexpectedly turns up one night with another man. Suddenly all of his emotions come rushing back.

Deeply upset and angry that his ex partner has returned, Ho insists on trying his best to get back with Lai. After several confrontational violent arguments, Ho returns to Lai severely bruised and beaten. Lai begins to care for him at his small one bedroom apartment. As Lai and Ho stay together again, overtime Lai’s feelings once again start to develop. What follows are events that will test their love forever…


This is all I care to share about the movie’s narrative - the movie’s success lays in not really knowing a lot about it. This enhances the overall effect of the movie. In fairness, not a lot of events actually happen in this movie. On the other hand, Wong Kar-wai has never been a director to rush along with the development of the narrative. What we have is one of the most authentic and real representations of what it’s like to be in a relationship in cinema history.

Whether you are homosexual, bisexual, lesbian or straight; this movie captures the passion, the foundations of what makes people fall in love with someone; and also presents the effects of what being in love can do. Wai did not choose to exploit the representation of a homosexual relationship - for instance, the movie does not use graphic sex scenes for the sake of ‘shock factor’.

Unlike other gay-targeted productions, the movie works so well because it does not focus on the taboos of being a homosexual in society. The relationship could as easily be a man and woman – it just happens to be two men (they do not act in any manner that is out of the ordinary). This is what drives the movie, seeing their relationship develop over a period of time. In particular moments, Wai will have several scenes back to back in the same location. The cinematography by Christopher Doyle is once again on top form - beautifully captivating a true sense of isolation from the outside world. This makes the relationship seem more believable and on a knife’s edge.

The two characters live in poverty stricken conditions, however Wong Kai-wai manages to craft each shot like they are individual pieces of art. Although Happy Together is not as accessible as his other works, the movie is still enjoyable, making use of two powerhouse performances from Leung and Cheung in career defining roles. The tone of the movie isn’t as funny or hip as say Chungking Express, but this movie isn’t meant to be in that same vein.

Its seriousness and gripping tone throughout does make you care for the relationship. It can be argued that the brief comedic and romantic elements are lost due to the constant violent arguments and struggling desires between the two, but it’s a minor quibble.

The new print of Happy Together has been beautifully remastered for its twelve year anniversary. The sound of Frank Zappa’s guitar sounds crisper, whilst the visuals have been transferred into glorious high definition - the movie looks better than ever!

The DVD comes with an insightful making of documentary, the theatrical trailer and filmographies of both the cast and director. I just wish Wong Kar-wai gave more access to raw footage from his movies. I’d especially like to see some original takes of the argument, for example - it would be very interesting to see how he directed these crucial sequences, and how they developed.


Happy Together is a great experience. The movie looks amazing and is incredibly acted. Most importantly, it creates a representation of homosexual men that is generally lacking in film and TV today. TJP