Millennium Mambo (Qianxi Manbo) (2001)

80% of critics liked it
(30 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(2,509 ratings)

Master filmmaker Hou Hsiao-Hsien directs this look at life in modern Taipei, the first part of a planned series. The film opens with a vivacious lass named Vicky (Shu Qi) sauntering down a neon-lit tunnel as the voice-over describes how she is going to break up with her on and off boyfriend Hao Hao… More Master filmmaker Hou Hsiao-Hsien directs this look at life in modern Taipei, the first part of a planned series. The film opens with a vivacious lass named Vicky (Shu Qi) sauntering down a neon-lit tunnel as the voice-over describes how she is going to break up with her on and off boyfriend Hao Hao once she has spent the NT$500,000 in her bank account. A young free spirit and party girl, she makes a living for both her and Hao Hao (Tuan Chun-hao) by working at a hostess bar. Lazy, neurotic, and pathologically jealous, Hao Hao spends his time DJ-ing and smoking speed when he is not rifling through Vicky's belongings looking for some hint of infidelity. At work, she meets Jack (played by Hou regular Jack Kao), a businessman with strong links to the mafia who nonetheless is kind and nurturing to Vicky. They soon begin an ambiguous affair. This film was screened at the 2001 Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr.
Directed By: Hsiao-hsien Hou
Written By: Chu Tien-Wen
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Oct 8, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Aug 17, 2004
Studio: Palm Pictures

Critic Reviews

G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle
A work of uncommon emotional density.
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
There is artistry and a fabulous ambiguity coursing through Hou's meditative film.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
Recalls the unease that crept over the world's youth back at the turn of the last century.
Charles Taylor, Salon.com
The combination of the thick sensuality of Mark Lee Ping-bing's cinematography and the gradual fascination that Hou's measured rhythms exert keep you watching.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Amazing film.
Elvis Mitchell, New York Times
Hou Hsiao-hsien's latest movie has a much quicker pulse than several of his other recent films, but it is not nearly as rich or resonant as his other work.
Robert Davis, Paste Magazine
We get far too few opportunities in the U.S. to see Hou's gorgeous films on the big screen. If this one comes to your town, don't pass it up.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A disappointing follow-up to the sublime Flowers of Shanghai and minor work in the oeuvre of one of the world's best filmmakers. Even so, this rambling story of a young woman (new star Shu Qi) torn between two loves is visually impressive.
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
Even a minor Hou effort is brimming with poignant artistry.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Not a great film, but it makes the best of its shallow narrative and concludes with an emotionally lyrical payoff.
Brent Simon, Entertainment Today
A movie with long patches of interpretive quiet, Millennium Mambo is often pretty to look at, but needs a little more to say.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It's not only a masterpiece, but also Hou's most accessible film to date.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
A precise versification ruled by the unbearable beauty of youth at its terminus and decisions for a lifetime made at the trembling moment of crisis.
, E! Online
Magical in any millennium.
John Powers, L.A. Weekly
A ravishing bauble about la dolce vita in Taiwan.
Paul Sherman, Boston Herald
Looks and feels like one big, long commercial.
Ed Scheid, Boxoffice Magazine
Vicki's extensive narration is emotionally distancing and her character is too passive to sustain interest.
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
Appreciative of Vicky's problems, Hou still doesn't appear to understand her character.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Not much happens on the surface of Hou Hsiao Hsien's latest film, a black-lit, Taipei nocturne shot in velvety tones of purple and black by ace cinematographer Mark Lee Ping-bing. Nevertheless, it can break your heart.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Justin Y

Coming out of Taiwan, Millennium Mambo is a film from Hsiao-hsien Hou with its own uniqueness. Unique enough to make it special? To some, maybe.There isn't much to the plot and although this seemingly B-movie is realistic, it isn't entertaining… More
Coming out of Taiwan, Millennium Mambo is a film from Hsiao-hsien Hou with its own uniqueness. Unique enough to make it special? To some, maybe.There isn't much to the plot and although this seemingly B-movie is realistic, it isn't entertaining enough. This 1 hour 40 minute picture creeps by slowly and it is almost all long takes. I'm talking takes that take minutes at a time. While this is pretty cool, the camerawork isn't the greatest and everything that happens in these shots are uneventful. There is also narration that basically explains what will happen next for most of the movie. I guess that means no surprises.It must be the realism that will catch people's interest, but watching all the constant smoking and drinking, whether in a club or at an apartment, makes you want to go someplace with fresh air.The gorgeous Shu Qi puts on a quite a performance. It is too bad this movie isn't as entertaining as her. The rest of the supporting cast is forgettable. Chun-hao Tuan is one annoying guy to watch. His character is just so bland and irritating that he is very detestable. You don't love to hate him. You just hate him.Props to the long takes and Shu Qi, but at the end of the day, Millennium Mambo is one boring movie. I'm not saying that this is a film to avoid, because people that enjoy the directing work of Hsiao-hsien Hou or the acting of Shu Qi will want to give this a shot.
Dimitris S

I aspire to become familiar with Hsiao Hsien's film package,in a greater degree through his past movies.His independent mambo derives a swaying emotion and a texture of images brimmed with poetry no matter how many neon lights appear.There should have been a more… More
I aspire to become familiar with Hsiao Hsien's film package,in a greater degree through his past movies.His independent mambo derives a swaying emotion and a texture of images brimmed with poetry no matter how many neon lights appear.There should have been a more "undercover" mystery in all this,it's an obvious fact this girl's loneliness pushes her endorsed senses.The 2000's is a new era for Taiwanese cinema and Hsien.
Anthony V

Good Qi Shu performance and direction, but the script seems a bit lacking in spots.
Christopher B

The first and last movie I ever walked out on, mostly because of the person attending it with me. But make no mistake, this is a boring, boring film. I should really watch it again, since I never saw the whole thing this rating doesn't really count, and I might not have the… More
The first and last movie I ever walked out on, mostly because of the person attending it with me. But make no mistake, this is a boring, boring film. I should really watch it again, since I never saw the whole thing this rating doesn't really count, and I might not have the whole movie marathon of TIFF bringing me down also.