Wong Kar Wai’s romantic masterpiece.

Two neighbours (Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung) betrayed by their spouses form a tender, reserved friendship, in the claustrophobic, lonely setting of their apartment block. Separated by convention and shyness, the ache of uncertain love is explored with almost unbearable understatement. Leung, the quiet, lonely, impossibly handsome hero, whispering his secret into a wall.

The lush, swooning palette of Christopher Doyle’s cinematography is ripened by sensuality and tempered by elegant set design – not to mention costumes to die for. How can anyone be so sad, when they look so good? A Brief Encounter for the 21st Century.