Wang Kar-wai's "THE GRANDMASTER": How Do We Honor Tradition in the Face of Death and Romance?

[ February 18th, 2025 ]

[ by Dillon Hamann ]

[ Wong Kar-wai has been beloved by many throughout his career for his fast-paced and visually charged films such as Chungking Express and Fallen Angels, but his other works seem to have disappeared from typical "high-art" film dialogue. It makes me sad (really, like I get sad over this) because anyone familiar with him that I've talked to hasn't seen his more mature works, namely In The Mood For Love, 2046, or The Grandmaster. ]

[ Wong Kar-wai, Narcisse Magazine ]

[ These works not only evolve on his technical prowess in terms of editing and visual effects but showcase his evolved writing style. He creates characters that are so understandably misunderstood and finds ways to make them connect through the strangest situations. This strangeness is how Wong animates his characters into something more than mere representations or tropes. ]

[ 2046 (2004) dir. Wong Kar-wai ]

[ The Grandmaster is Wong's latest (but not so recent) release (2013) and is... different in its plot and themes compared to his other works. Its description online reads: "The fall of China's last dynasty, a time of chaos, division, and war, is the golden age of Chinese martial arts. Legendary kung fu master Ip Man, who will eventually train Bruce Lee, finds his peaceful life interrupted by vengeance." (Google) The prevailing themes of this movie are really about cultural heritage- the ways the "torch" is handed off from elders to the next generation. Wong focuses on how gender roles play into this- broadening the perspective of who is worthy of becoming a leader and why. Even with such worldly themes of Kung-Fu, war, and the fight for succession, romance becomes the driver of the plot for this film... I don't think Wong Kar-wai can help himself lol. This movie evolves his "love and war" style to the highest degree yet. If he ever makes a Sci-Fi epic of this nature, I think I'd faint just from being told that information. ]

[ The Grandmaster (2013) dir. Wong Kar-wai ]

[ Honoring how Kung-Fu fights are usually filmed in China, The Grandmaster elevates its fighting scenes through Wong's signature close-ups and fast but timely editing style, creating moments of awe and grandeur and a masterful suspension of disbelief. Someone flying 10 feet backward only to kick off a wooden column and send themselves flying back at their attacker had never felt more realistic. On the other hand, the romance of this film becomes more and more heartbreaking- until finally, no one ends up winning. Classic Wong Kar-wai...

Besides being a unique version of his directorial style, you should see this movie because this is one of his last, if not the last, films he will make. It was a privilege to be able to see such a refined work of art by a master of their craft in the theater; I got to view it at UChicago's Max Palevsky Cinema last Thursday thanks to Doc Films- one of the oldest collegiate film societies in America. You HAVE to check out their screenings sometime if you're an aspiring film buff. Thank you if you got this far, now add The Grandmaster to your watchlist!!! :P ]

[ The Grandmaster (2013) dir. Wong Kar-wai ]

[ Musings of a Space Cowboy ]