MovieChat Forums > 2046 (2004) Discussion > Faye Wong way better than Zhang Ziyi

Faye Wong way better than Zhang Ziyi

posted 19 years ago by the_wainman
67 replies | jump to latest

Is Faye Wong the greatest actress in the world? Or am I blinded by love? I enjoyed her story 50X as much as zhang ziyi's story. I fell in love with Faye Wong in Chungking Express, and she was amazing in this too. Zhang Ziyi's getting all this attention (and a nomination - good job) for geisha following a lot of praise for this movie. Now I don't think Ziyi is a bad actress, I was just really let down by my lack of affection for her, i usually adore the leading ladies in wkw movies.(Maggie Cheung is the 2nd best actress ever!) So she was a big dissapointment for me. Still I hope Ziyi wins an oscar, then we'll really be copying asian cinema. Anyway, I think Faye Wong trumps, nay, dominates Zhang Ziyi in every catagory (she's even amazing at singing! what can't Faye Wong do?) except that Ziyi is really sexy while Wong is really cute. ummm... back to the point, which one do you like more (for acting or whatever else) and why?

Reading this point a 2nd time, It sounds a bit stalker creepy and I think I need some help... What if Faye reads this? I LOVE YOU FAYE!

[–] beetlebum50 19 years ago

Faye was really good
She just got overshadowed by Zhang Ziyi

Don't forget Gong Li and Carina Lau were really great in the movie.

Even Tony Leung Chiu-Wai said in the interview that he really appreciated working with Gong Li.

[–] zephyr9 19 years ago

Ziyi is good, but I like Faye more.
She is so natural and cute.

[–] fasta 19 years ago

I also love Faye more. I love her acting and she also has a really wonderful voice. Also, Faye only accepts roles which are close to herself, which makes her "acting" look really natural. Of course, I bet she can do that because she earned much more in selling albums than movie tickets!

[–] sccoverton 19 years ago

Yes, I agree, although I happen to think Maggie Cheung is the greatest female actress in Asia, but that's another subject.
It rather annoys and embarrasses me that Zhang Ziyi is lauded quite as much as she is in the West. I feel like it sends the message that Europe never knew about Asian film until Crouching Badger Hidden Pigeon came along, and it degrades the loyal interest and support that Asian film lovers (as I guess we are) have shown in the years preceding. However, to stay on topic, I would suggest that this is Zhang Ziyi's first good performance on film, and while not entirely subtle (which is the quality for which I love Maggie Cheung), it fits nicely within the film's tone, and Zhang portrays a likeable and mutli-levelled character. The cynic within me might be tempted to attribute this to Wong Kar Wai's masterful direction, which has developed exponentially with his latest two films (although I baulk at the idea that he's prostituting himself to Hollywood and Nicole "Bewitched" Kidman - why do great Asian directors do that? Is there no love of art in the Asian film world, or do they all suffer from the Setsuko Hara effect - just doing it for the money?)
Anyway, yes, I agree, she is a better actress, here and elsewhere.

[–] salseroseco 19 years ago

I've read all the comments on favorite asian actresses, am I the only one who adores Gong Li? To me she completely overshadowed Zhang Ziyi in Geisha. I enjoyed Geisha, but I am left with a feeling of wanting to see more of Gong Li. I really want to see Gog Li in a leading role in a new movie. Watching Gong Li in her movies is like watching a true culturally rich Asian actress, bringing with her all that is authentically beautiful from the mysteries and unknowns in cultures and traditions of the far East. While Zhang Ziyi is also beautiful in her own way but, she has been too americanized and seems too modern lacking some of the authenticity that Gong Li brings to the screen. I hope Gong Li finds herself in more American Movies because she stole the show for me in Geisha.

[–] tilted_world 19 years ago

Gong Li is the antagonist in Memoris and yet, I felt more for her than I did with Zhang Ziyi. Especially the scene after her love affair was found out and she stood in the rain. Now, who in the world can act standing still and with their back turned to you? Only Gong Li, I presume. :)

[–] libraryg 19 years ago

You are not alone in adoring Gong Li. Just saw ITMFL last night, and going to see 2046 later this week. Gong has soo many wonderful film credits, such as To Live, Ju-Dou, Farewell My Concubine, Temptress Moon, Memoirs of a Geisha. She is simply superb!

[–] Silvernixy 19 years ago

I didn't think she was overshadowed in MoaG! I thought she was the most wonderful actress in Moag, as a matter of fact :). The way she portrays Hatsumomo is just stunning....... she's exactly the way I imagined the character while reading the book.

[–] mac_alain 18 years ago

...am I the only one who adores Gong Li?

Certainly not. Gong Li is in a class of her own. She is an extremely versatile actress, something one cannot quite (yet) say of Zhang Ziyi.

[–] luizpaulon 17 years ago

To me, Faye Wong is a good actress, but nothing sooo great as you said.
Her performance was very good on 2046. But to me, Ziyi Zhang is better. And you are not the only one to love Gong Li.
My favorite asian actress is Gong Li. She is dark, and she is serious. She has a exotic beauty, and her performances are always outstanding. "The curse of the golden flower" was her best movie, and she reallllyyy knocked me out on "Memoirs of a Geisha".
Ziyi Zhang is my second favorite asian actress. And to me, she's one of the most beatiful too.
Maggie Cheung is the third...

[–] jnagarya-1 10 years ago

Zhang Ziyi is astonishingly good in "2046". Watch it again; connect with her character _emotionally_: you'll be as devastated by her, as she is by Tony Leung. And see the interviews with her, and Tony Leung, about "2046," on youtube. She says she initially didn't know how to deal with Wong Kar-Wai's method -- essentially his non-direction. Tony told her that she had to build her own character (in view of Kar-Wai's not defining that for her), and then she got it. (Tony chose to have the mustache; but it took some convincing of Kar-Wai for him to accept it.)

And Ziyi says that, whereas in prior films she had to think of painful life experiences in order to cry, in "2046" she "fell into" her own pain; so much so that when Kar-Wai said, "Cut!" she couldn't stop crying. (That referred, I believe, to the end of the film, where she is leaning against a wall and breaks down.)

There's much more to Zhang Ziyi than she is given credit for based upon the bias that she's popular only because "a pretty face".

Gong Li is over-rated. I do like her very much in "To Live," and in "Shanghai Triad" (though I don't like her other "glamor" roles), and her role in "2046" is one of her better performances. But there is something heavy, "masculine"-like, and _remote_ about her -- even in "Memoirs of a Geisha".

I love Faye Wong also (she's awesome in "Chungking Express," her very first film -- but how much of that includes dialogue?). And she is a natural -- likely because, as another said, she chooses characters that are close to who she actually is, so making it that much easier.

[–] jnagarya-1 10 years ago

Zhang Ziyi is not at all Americanized. How many American films has she appeared in? -- "Memoirs of a Geisha".

By contrast, Gong Li has appeared in several American films.

All you're talking about is image -- and your own projections; you don't actually know either of them. (She certainly didn't respect Zhang Yimou's wife by having a public affair with him.)

[–] jnagarya-1 10 years ago

That's the "she's only a pretty face" bias -- _jealousy_.

[–] jnagarya-1 10 years ago

"female actress"

Actresses do tend to be exclusively female.

Maggie Cheung is (currently) my favorite actress (wonderful in, as example, "Clean"). And she has more awards (including from Cannes) than any other Asian actress.

[–] PiranianRose 19 years ago

Faye Wong is generally a nice actress, but she is definitely my least favorite in this movie, although she may have the most screen time. Zhang Ziyi, Gong Li, and Carina Lau just come through with more personality for me. Each of the 3 has a special moment - Carina's Lulu smoking on center stage, Gong Li's unforgettable crying sequence which pierced my heart, and Zhang Ziyi's several heartbroken tear-dropping as well as her showcase with the song Siboney in the background. I just didn't feel anything watching Faye Wong here.

[–] profpain11 19 years ago

All of the actors/actresses in 2046 (and in all WKW films) give fine performances, because it's demanded of them. However, to me Zhang Ziyi is absolutely mesmerizing in this role. While watching this DVD I stopped to rewind about 20 times to again see her expressions, movements, reactions, etc. All of it is flawless. She's popular in the U.S. because she's been in movies that have been seen here like CT,HD and Hero and Rush Hour 2. If more Chinese / Hong Kong actresses appeared in American movies about Japanese culture they'd be more popular too!

"Nice coat." - Batman

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] paulgayberk_robsthedead 19 years ago

Zhang Ziyi overshadows every performance in this film.

[–] zephyr9 19 years ago

>>Like Hell she is. Zhang Ziyi's performance is the best in 2046 and possibly one the best ever committed to cinema.

Love is blind...

Although Zhang Ziyi is excellent in 2046, I have to say that I always feel she is acting and working hard.
However, Faye Wong, the most natural girl, makes me forget everything. She IS the character. The way she acts is not to act.

BTW, Tony Leung's performance is the best in 2046.

[–] hankbulger 19 years ago

I think Gong Li is world class. She is just a real scene stealer. For me i thought Zhang Ziyi was mesmerizing in 2046 but i liked Fayes character more, but Gong Li just stole the show.

Tony Leung is quite possibly the worlds finest actor. Im a 22 year old Australian, and i can honestly say that he is at least as good as any Western actor.

[–] phataznboi7289 19 years ago

That's really true. Gong only had fifteen minutes of the movie, but I was way more into her than any other character. She was so sad, and mysterious, she was ravishing. The noodle scene is my favorite scene. She ate the noodles so autentically that even I wanted to eat noodles when I saw her. It's just eating noodles, but it was so amazing, she is such a great actress, not a word can describe her talent.

"I can't pay my way out of being Asian." - Khan

[–] iheartbkk 19 years ago

OMG, thats exactly how I felt! I wanted to eat noodles so bad just because of that scene.

[–] jnagarya-1 10 years ago

She "ate the noodles so authentically" because she grew up eating noodles.

Tony Leung eats noodles "authentically" also because he grew up eating them.

Why not just praise them for breathing "authentically".

[–] fasta 19 years ago

Tony Leung is quite possibly the worlds finest actor. Im a 22 year old Australian, and i can honestly say that he is at least as good as any Western actor.

You know, it sounds like a compliment but it's actually an insult.

[–] zephyr9 19 years ago

Tony Leung is quite possibly the worlds finest actor. Im a 22 year old Australian, and i can honestly say that he is at least as good as any Western actor.

I am a 25 year old Chinese, and I can honestly say that he is a wonderful actor and much better than most Western actors.

[–] jnagarya-1 10 years ago

I'm not Chinese, and he is my favorite actor. And see him in "Lust, Caution".

[–] Muvefan 17 years ago

"but Gong Li just stole the show."

We should be used to that by now.

_______

[–] jnagarya-1 10 years ago

Only for those "mesmerized" by the hype about her.

[–] jnagarya-1 10 years ago

Liking one character more than another is not about acting; it's about the character.

What is Faye Wong's character in "2046"? What are the defining characteristics?

By contrast, we know what Zhang Ziyi's character is: a "hostess"/call girl/prostitute. We tend not to look approvingly on such characters. (And her first scene in "2046" is hilarious: a prostitute complaining about the couple in the next room having sex!)

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] jnagarya-1 10 years ago

But how much _dialogue_ -- in which _character_ is revealed -- does Faye Wong have? It's easy to "be" a character when all that is necessary is to "dance"; all the "lines" she is given are in letters written by the Japanese.

Compare that to the astonishingly emotional performance by Zhang Ziyi.

Tony Leung's performance is awesome -- but he's not an actress, whereas the comparisons are between actress and actress.

[–] jnagarya-1 10 years ago

Note that the pre-release trailors for "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" only lists Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh -- probably because the intent was to break them in the US market. Instead Zhang Ziyi was made a star.

And in "2046" she is astonishingly good -- the sensitivity, the fragility; the desperation -- and devastation -- when Tony says he'll sleep with her if _she_ pays _him_. Watch her face reveal how defeated and crushed she is.

But be careful: she'll tear your heart out.

[–] jnagarya-1 10 years ago

Of the actresses Zhang Ziyi had the most screen time. Gong Li probably had the second most.

It took me a number of viewings of the film to realize that Faye Wong was Faye Wong; didn't recognize her initially.

[–] Esplumeor 19 years ago

Faye gets a big nod from me because she strongly reminds me of a girlfriend I once had and still hold dearly in my heart. To revisit this old girlfriend I often return to 2046 and try to recapture those lost memories. Since nothing ever changes, and since I must often return to reality, then Faye is my substitute (I know, "In love you can't bring on a substitute."). So it is that Faye adds extra depth and meaning to the story because I still travel that train and miss Her so much....

[–] thebeautifulones 19 years ago

Faye's always very quirky and strange, in all the characters she portrays. Even in Chunking Express.

Zhang Zi yi did better here than in Geisha, she was more emotional.

Carina Lau acted her bit well, her role in DoBW showed her to be passionate and possessive, which is probably quite close to her true character? You should see her in the serial she acted "Spring River Flows Eastwards". So emotional, so passionate, so possesive...

Gong Li is ever the professional, yes she exude mystery and charm, but I felt her part in Geisha was not well written.

Tony Leung is the perenial scene stealer, I like his idea of putting the moustache,, he did well, and yes he looks like the Asian Clark Gable in the film, even his hero, Robert De Niro called him that. He stols the show in DoBW even though it was only a cameo!

[–] zephyr9 19 years ago

Carina Lau acted her bit well, her role in DoBW showed her to be passionate and possessive, which is probably quite close to her true character? You should see her in the serial she acted "Spring River Flows Eastwards". So emotional, so passionate, so possesive...

I hate to say this... but your comments offend others. You are JUDGING Carina Lau by the roles she took.

[–] MovieFreak101 19 years ago

Zhang Ziyi completely overshadows everyone in this movie, in my opinion. I may be biased because she's one of my favorite actresses, but I thought her performace was incredible. The emotions she was able to evoke through this character were so real. Outstanding job.

[–] jnagarya-1 10 years ago

Yes. And she repeatedly breaks the viewer's heart. Especially in the scene when Tony tells her he'll sleep with her if _she_ pays _him_. The expression on her face . . . the biting of her lip . . .

[–] the_wainman 19 years ago

I wish I had a girlfriend that at all resembled Faye Wong, I'm so jealous. All the girls I know get angry at me for pretending they're Faye Wong. This is ptobably making u feel worse if u ever read this. Maybe it's better to have loved and lost Faye than to have never found her at all...

[–] asianfever 19 years ago

I thought all the ladies very good because WKW is a great director.
About Tony Leung being as good as western actors I don't agree. I can't think of one western actor who matches Tony's depth of talent and versatility. I am not Chinese .

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Lady_Pearl 19 years ago

Ziyi was amazing, I have to agree.

Though, all the actresses in this film were superb in my opinion.

[–] Bale-Pearce-Oldman 19 years ago

Faye Wong for me. As I mentioned somewhere in this board, this movie made me a huuuge Faye Wong fan. Memoirs of a Geisha made me a Gong Li fan :)

Faye Wong is so cute. I love her scenes with Tony. Zhang Ziyi is also good here.

[–] jnagarya-1 10 years ago

"Cute" is not acting.

[–] logaga 19 years ago

well... Faye is actually known for her singing... she must be one of the best singers in Asia! but acting? I just don't get her. My boyfriend loved her in Chungking Express too.. but I just don't get her acting and don't know how to appreciate it. She seems too pretentious and just self indulging, (just how i feel, no offence to her fans)... that's not acting to me. Even WKW said openly how he admires Faye Wong, and praises her as a natural born actress with great body language... so I'm sure it's just me who doesn't get her. I love her singing! but acting? Painful to watch for me.

On the other hand, I thought Ziyi was brilliant. She really expressed her character so well and so alive. Never liked her much in other films, but she was my favourite in 2046.

[–] tajuakbl 19 years ago

Yes, for people like me who have played Final Fantasy -game series Faye Wong is actually familiar for her singing. I fell in love with her voice when I played Final Fantasy 8, where the title song is made by her. Amazing. maybe one of the most beautiful love songs ever made...

I have to say I was very excited when I heard she's an actress too. Can't wait to see this film and then every single one she's done! Wow.

[–] jaydubsky 19 years ago

Sorry, but I thought Zhang Ziyi stole this movie. I thought her performance was great and she looked amazing. Faye Wong is kind of the same personality in every WKW film. I thought she was a lot more appealing in Chunking Express than 2046.

Still, though, I liked her in both.

"Death, you are my bitch lover!"

[–] jnagarya-1 10 years ago

See Zhang Ziyi in "The Road Home".

She's also wonderful in "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon".

[–] BestofMyHug 19 years ago

Please. I don't like Zhang that much, but she acted everyone in this film off the screen.

Even if I set out to make a film about a fillet of sole, it would be about me.