As Tears Go By (1988)

As Tears Go By (1988)

Year: 1996

Runtime: 102 min

Language: Hebrew

Director: Kar Wai Wong

DramaRomanceCrime

A tender drama set in 1960s London, the film explores the evolving relationship between a young apprentice bus driver and his stern, emotionally distant father. The son grapples with anxiety and struggles to pass his driving test, which becomes a symbol of his broader challenges in connecting with his father and finding his place in the world. Through everyday moments and heartfelt encounters, they confront their individual struggles and ultimately find a path toward understanding and connection.

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Timeline & Setting – As Tears Go By (1988) (1996)

Explore the full timeline and setting of As Tears Go By (1988) (1996). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie is set against the backdrop of the late 1980s, a time marked by economic challenges and the rising influence of organized crime in Hong Kong. This period saw a growing divide between the affluent and the struggling, creating a tense atmosphere in the streets.

Location

Hong Kong, Lantau Island

Hong Kong is a vibrant metropolis known for its bustling streets and complex underworld. Lantau Island, home to beautiful landscapes, contrasts sharply with the gritty urban life, where families like Ngor's run restaurants, offering a sense of community amid the chaos.

🌆 City 🏝️ Island

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:07

Main Characters – As Tears Go By (1988) (1996)

Meet the key characters of As Tears Go By (1988) (1996), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Wah

Wah is a seasoned mob enforcer, respected yet haunted by the violent world he inhabits. He struggles with his emotional connections, especially with Ngor and Mabel, as he navigates the consequences of his lifestyle. His journey reflects a deep conflict between duty and morality.

🕵️‍♂️ Enforcer 😔 Conflict ⚔️ Violence

Fly

Fly is Wah's incompetent apprentice, whose reckless behavior often lands them in dangerous situations. His desperate attempts to prove himself to Wah lead to his unraveling, showcasing vulnerability beneath his bravado. His tragic fate serves as a stark warning of the perils within their criminal world.

🎭 Reckless 😩 Desperation 🔫 Tragedy

Ngor

Ngor is Wah's younger cousin, who arrives from Lantau Island seeking connection and a fresh start. Her nurturing nature contrasts with Wah's turbulent lifestyle, and she becomes a pivotal figure in his transformation. Her attempts to bridge the divide reveal her depth and compassion.

🌸 Nurturer 💕 Family 🏅 Courage

Mabel

Mabel is Wah's girlfriend, whose unexpected news of pregnancy forces Wah to confront his emotional detachment. Her decision to terminate the pregnancy amplifies their disconnect, illuminating the impact of Wah's lifestyle on their relationship. She represents the personal sacrifices made in a violent world.

💔 Heartbreak 📉 Sacrifice 🔄 Change

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:07

Major Themes – As Tears Go By (1988) (1996)

Explore the central themes of As Tears Go By (1988) (1996), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🖤 Morality

The film delves into the complexities of morality as Wah navigates his life as a mob enforcer. His internal struggles highlight the thin line between right and wrong, especially when familial ties and loyalty come into play. The tragic consequences of his choices emphasize the profound impact of one's moral compass in a chaotic world.

💔 Love & Loss

As Wah grapples with his feelings for Mabel and his bond with Ngor, the theme of love and its fragility emerges. His relationships serve as a poignant reminder of how quickly life can change, especially in a violent environment where loss is a constant threat. The emotional stakes are heightened as he reflects on what truly matters in his life.

🎲 Risk

The theme of risk runs rampant through Fly's reckless behavior and Wah's dangerous choices. Each character's decisions showcase the high stakes of their differing lifestyles, whether through gambling, loyalty to the mob, or the pursuit of redemption. The consequences of these risks resonate throughout the film's tragic narrative.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:07

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Crime dramas with doomed loyalty like As Tears Go By (1988)

Brotherhood and honor tested by the brutal, inescapable realities of crime.For viewers who liked the tragic brotherhood in As Tears Go By, this thread features movies that explore similar themes of fierce loyalty within the criminal underworld. These films often feature a central protector figure, a reckless charge, and a narrative that leads toward a violent, heartbreaking conclusion.

fatalistictensebroodingviolentdoomedmelancholicgritty

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a central, more grounded character who feels a deep sense of duty to protect a more volatile, reckless friend or sibling. Their attempts to navigate or escape their violent environment are constantly undermined by this loyalty, pushing the story toward an inevitable, often fatal, climax that underscores the futility of their struggle.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their focus on the theme of loyalty as both a virtue and a fatal flaw within a high-stakes criminal setting. They share a dark tone, high intensity from violent confrontations, and a heavy emotional weight stemming from the tragic arcs of their characters.

Movies with a gritty, melancholic vibe like As Tears Go By (1988)

Stories steeped in a bleak, atmospheric world where hope is a fleeting luxury.If you appreciated the grim atmosphere and melancholic tone of As Tears Go By, this thread collects similar films. These movies are characterized by their depiction of urban decay, a fatalistic mood, and stories where characters struggle against a bleak and unforgiving world.

grittymelancholicbleakbroodingfatalisticurban decaytenseatmospheric

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread are often straightforward, focusing on characters trying to survive or find meaning within a grim, urban landscape. The plot is driven by the tension between fleeting moments of human connection (like romance or friendship) and the crushing pressure of the environment, leading to bittersweet or outright tragic conclusions.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by a specific atmospheric blend: a gritty visual style, a setting of urban decay, and a dominant mood of melancholy and fatalism. The experience is one of immersion in a bleak world, where the tone is consistently dark and the emotional impact is heavy.

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As Tears Go By (1988) Summary

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As Tears Go By (1988) Summary

As Tears Go By (1988) Timeline

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As Tears Go By (1988) Timeline

As Tears Go By (1988) Spoiler-Free Summary

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As Tears Go By (1988) Spoiler-Free Summary

More About As Tears Go By (1988)

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