In the Mood for Love - Characters & Cast

Her primary motivation is to maintain her dignity and moral standing in the face of her husband's betrayal. While she yearns for the emotional connection she finds with Chow, she is equally motivated by a fear of social stigma and a powerful desire not to stoop to the level of their spouses. Her actions are driven by a complex interplay of loneliness, desire, and propriety.

Su Li-zhen begins as a poised, dutiful, and reserved secretary. Upon discovering her husband's infidelity, her composed exterior begins to crack. Her relationship with Chow Mo-wan awakens a deep longing within her, but she is constantly torn between her burgeoning feelings and her adherence to societal norms and her own moral code. She grapples with the desire for connection and the fear of becoming like her unfaithful husband, ultimately choosing a path of dignified restraint and quiet sorrow.

Chow is motivated by a desire for companionship and an escape from the loneliness of his marriage. After discovering the affair, he seeks understanding and solace, which he finds in Su. His motivation evolves into a genuine love for her and a hope for a shared future, though he is ultimately unable to overcome the barriers that separate them.

Chow Mo-wan is a thoughtful and sensitive journalist who is deeply hurt by his wife's affair. Initially, his interactions with Su are a way to understand and process this betrayal. As their bond deepens, he becomes more willing to challenge social conventions and pursue a relationship with her. He is the one who more openly suggests they leave together, but he ultimately respects her hesitation. Years later, he is left with a profound sense of nostalgia and unresolved longing, which he symbolically buries at Angkor Wat.

Her motivations are rooted in maintaining the social order and upholding the traditional values of her community. She is concerned with propriety and appearances, and her frequent interactions with Su serve as a constant reminder of the social scrutiny she is under.

Mrs. Suen is the landlady of Su Li-zhen's apartment. She is a friendly but intrusive figure who embodies the communal and gossipy nature of their Shanghainese community. She remains a constant presence, observing the comings and goings of her tenants and offering unsolicited advice, representing the societal pressures that Su and Chow must navigate.