In the Mood for Love and 4 Other Best Movies Released in the 2000s
These films aged like fine wine.
Selecting the best films of the early 2000s is no easy task. In hindsight, it's clear that the 2000s were a rich era for cinematic masterpieces.
1. No Country for Old Men, 2007
In the hands of the Coen brothers, a novel about the aftermath of a failed deal becomes a perfect neo-Western that still raises questions today.
At first glance, the gripping story seems to outline a generational conflict between honest police officers and heartless killers.
However, the directors' work is too multilayered to have only one interpretation. No Country for Old Men is a gripping, philosophical thriller where every detail seems to be perfected.
2. In the Mood for Love, 2000
Wong Kar-Wai, the most famous figure in Hong Kong cinema, bathes the viewers and his characters in warm shades of red and yellow to depict budding love.
Su and Chow are neighbors whose spouses are having an affair with each other. Abandoned and alone, they find themselves consumed by mutual passion.
Wong Kar-Wai is known for his delicate exploration of feelings, where every note of the background music resonates with the characters' movements. Here, tenderness reaches its limit, and the story of two Hong Kongers transforms into a melodrama that could be called real poetry.
3. Inglourious Basterds, 2009
A fan of alternative endings, Quentin Tarantino has created a bloodthirsty and vivid portrayal of the end of World War II.
Disregarding the facts of the real chronicle, the director follows his own rules, in which a Jewish girl, personifying art, defeats universal evil. Despite the mixed reviews of his sixth film, its pacifist message only improves with time.
4. There Will Be Blood, 2007
Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, Paul Thomas Anderson's masterpiece is an epic portrayal of power and obsession.
Set in the early 20th century, the story follows an entrepreneur who suddenly discovers oil after searching for gold. The man is unable to cope with his newfound greed and clings to every chance to achieve his goals.
Against the backdrop of sermons by a priest no less fanatical than the main character, Anderson explores the myth of capitalism and the struggle with his own demons.
5. In Bruges, 2008
In Martin McDonagh's black comedy, two hitmen are stranded in Bruges, waiting for their boss to call them with their next assignment.
Complications arise when love and doubt about their career paths appear on the doorstep. The hitmen wander around the Belgian town, trying to escape each other's company and stave off boredom.
Fortunately, viewers are not in danger of getting bored. Filled with caustic dialogue and pretentious yet human criminals, the film turns out to be moderately tragic and quite funny.