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RATING:  
Wong Kar Wai's first Hollywood movie has all the stylised beauty and ennui that one would expect from a film by the Hong Kong auteur, but it's also a little too inspired by script habits of films past.
Singer Norah Jones tries her hand at acting, lending a refreshingly sombre note as leading lady Elizabeth, whose path crosses with New York diner owner Jeremy (Jude Law), when she goes there looking for answers to who her boyfriend is two-timing her with.
Jeremy and Elizabeth begin to connect over late-night chatter and blueberry pie, but the heartbroken Elizabeth makes the decision to take a road trip.
On route, she meets characters such as Arnie (David Strat-hairn), who can't get over his wife Sue-Lynn (Rachel Weisz) leaving him, and Leslie (Natalie Portman), a cunning professional gambler. Meanwhile, Elizabeth keeps in touch with Jeremy via postcards.
The theme of love — lost, discovered and reassessed — ties these stories loosely together; the vivid and moody hues of the film validate that this is, indeed, a work of Wong.
But take away either embellishment and what you're left with is the feeling that you've seen these characters and heard snatches of the dialogue before somewhere. - TODAY/ra
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