Tailor's apprentice Chang Chen pays a call on his master's customer, Gong Li, a call girl who is currently a kept woman. She seduces him so he will make her beautiful clothing.

Wong Kar Wai's 56-minute short feature is an extended version of his movie that appeared in the anthology film EROS (2004), and is a work of obsession, decay and metonymy, in which the clothes of his object of desire become the container for the thing contained. It is also a study in the decay of beauty -- in this case, Miss Li's, the beauty of delayed sexual gratification, the distinction between appearance and reality, and, oh, many things or nothing, depending on the audience; you may simply see it as a bit of smutty rubbish. I don't. Take notice of the dominance of dirty browns and the filth in which the tailors create their beauty.

If you're a fan of psychological thrillers that will leave you on the edge of your seat, then The Hand is a must-watch! Directed by Wong Kar-wai, this film follows the story of a talented cartoonist who loses his hand in a car accident, and his struggle to come to terms with his new reality.

The Hand is a beautifully shot and thought-provoking film that will keep you engaged from start to finish. The cinematography is stunning, and the use of colors and lighting throughout the film is exceptional. The Hand also features a hauntingly beautiful score that perfectly complements the film's dark and unsettling tone.

One of the things that makes The Hand stand out is the way it explores the psychological impact of losing a limb. The film delves into the protagonist's psyche, highlighting his struggles with identity, loss, and depression. It's a unique take on a familiar trope that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll.

Overall, The Hand is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking and visually stunning films. It's a fascinating exploration of loss, identity, and the human psyche that will keep you engaged from start to finish.

Quote: "Without a hand, I can't draw. Without drawing, I can't live." - The Hand (2004)

A short piece about a tailor, a prostitute declining from high class to penniless, two hand-jobs, and an undeclared impossible love or infatuation, call it what you like. It certainly has Wang KarWai's distinctive mood and camerawork, as you would expect in his movies - the dark corridors for example. It does evoke some of the mood of 'In the mood for love/Hua yang nian hua' but is not a patch on that wonderful masterpiece.

The music I cannot recall but it was there yet forgettable, unlike that of 'In the mood for love'. Short snippets of 20s-30s Shanghai cabaret, silences and the sound of Hong Kong rain. Set in Hong Kong I assume, but with the lead characters speaking Putonghua.

If I am not mistaken the entire movie passes without a single smile - lots of neck chin and face shots of GongLi, many taken over the shoulder of and from behind the male lead, Chang Chen, the smitten tailor. Nothing maudlin or mawkish is said or done, yet it leaves me with that feeling, and it seems to skirt very close.

No great work of art here, be assured!