Happy Together, a musical movie

In Wong Kar-wai's cinematic universe, music isn't just an accessory; it's a character in its own right, weaving through the narrative, breathing life into the scenes, and echoing the innermost thoughts of the protagonists. "Happy Together" exemplifies this marriage of sound and story with its diverse and evocative musical selections, each note adding depth to the tale of love, loss, and longing.

As the film unfolds against the backdrop of Argentina, the opening strains of Caetano Veloso's "Cucurrucucú Paloma" transport us to the streets of Buenos Aires, where the melancholy of exile and the ache of nostalgia hang heavy in the air. Veloso's rendition, a Mexican classic sung by a Brazilian artist, chosen by a Hong Kong director, sets the stage for a journey that transcends borders and boundaries.

Enter Frank Zappa with his electrifying guitar riffs, punctuating the narrative with discordant rhythms and jolting the audience out of complacency. Tracks like "Chunga's Revenge" and "I Have Been in You" inject a sense of urgency and unrest, mirroring the tumultuous relationship at the heart of the film.

But it's Astor Piazzolla's haunting melodies that linger long after the credits roll, infusing the film with the soulful spirit of Nuevo Tango. From the plaintive strains of "Prologue" to the bittersweet notes of "Milonga for Three," Piazzolla's music becomes a character unto itself, speaking volumes about the yearning and despair that permeate the story.

And yet, amidst the melancholy and the dissonance, there are moments of unexpected joy, epitomized by Danny Chung's rendition of "Happy Together" during the film's finale. It's a wistful nod to the fleeting nature of happiness, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty to be found.

In the end, it's this eclectic mix of sounds and emotions that elevates "Happy Together" from a mere film to a sensory experience, leaving an indelible imprint on the hearts and minds of its audience. For Wong Kar-wai, music isn't just a backdrop; it's the very heartbeat of his storytelling, guiding us through the highs and lows of the human experience with grace and poignancy.