wong kar wai

The Deleted Scenes

That Could Have Changed EVERYTHING

In the Mood for Love

The Affair That Almost happened

Most people assume that Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung) and Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) never physically consummate their love in In the Mood for Love. But originally, Wong Kar-Wai shot scenes where they actually sleep together.

Wong filmed multiple versions of their relationship’s climax: one where they simply kiss, another where they spend the night together. Test audiences saw an early cut where they made love, but Wong decided the film was stronger when their relationship remained ambiguous, focused on longing and restraint.

There was also a version where Su Li-zhen becomes pregnant but never tells Chow.

Wong believed that unfulfilled desire is more powerful than physical love. By keeping their relationship platonic, the audience feels the ache of what could have been.

The film’s theme of _______________ is stronger if nothing is confirmed.

missed opportunities

Happy Together

The Missing Third Lover

The film’s toxic romance between Ho Po-wing (Leslie Cheung) and Lai Yiu-fai (Tony Leung) is already intense, but a third man was originally part of the story.