As Tears Go By

As Tears Go By

Year: 1988

Runtime: 98 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Wong Kar-wai

DramaCrimeRomance

Mid-level gangster Wah falls in love with his beautiful cousin, but must also continue to protect his volatile partner-in-crime and friend, Fly.

As Tears Go By (1988) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at As Tears Go By (1988) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the neon‑lit streets of Mong Kok, a world of tight alleys and constant hum of traffic forms the backdrop for a gritty undercurrent of loyalty and danger. Within this restless city, Wah moves between the shadows of his day‑to‑day work, carrying the weight of a mid‑level enforcer’s reputation while the urban pulse mirrors his inner turbulence. The film’s tone is both intimate and volatile, blending the glossy haze of streetlights with the stark reality of lives perched on the edge of violence.

Wah is not alone in this precarious balance. His protégé, Fly, is a restless, ambitious figure whose fierce energy both fuels and threatens the fragile order they try to keep. Their partnership is marked by an uneasy camaraderie, each aware that a single misstep could tip their world into chaos. The relationship between the two men is a study in brotherhood strained by the pressures of the streets, hinting at deeper questions about loyalty and the cost of survival.

When Wah receives an unexpected visit from his younger cousin Ngor, a quiet presence from a family restaurant on Lantau Island, the rigid contours of his life begin to blur. Ngor brings a softness and a chance at something gentler, offering a glimpse of ordinary life amidst the perpetual night of Mong Kok. Their growing connection sets up a quiet tension: a desire for a different future that conflicts with the demands of the world Wah inhabits.

The film swirls between the claustrophobic, neon‑washed alleys of the city and the calmer, sun‑lit spaces of the island, creating a visual and emotional contrast that underscores the characters’ inner conflicts. It invites the audience to wonder how far a man can stretch loyalty and love before the two forces collide, leaving the promise of an outcome as uncertain as the night itself.

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:50

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Melancholic crime stories with yearning characters like As Tears Go By

Tough criminals with soft hearts, torn between violent loyalty and fragile love.If you liked the emotional conflict in As Tears Go By, explore other movies where hardened criminals are softened by love or the dream of a normal life. These similar dramas focus on the tension between brutal loyalty and fragile hope, often leading to bittersweet or tragic endings.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a criminal protagonist who is competent and respected in their violent world. Their life is upended by the introduction of something pure—often a romantic interest or a peaceful environment—that represents an escape. The story contrasts their two worlds, building towards an inevitable clash where their old life demands a final, fatal payment, extinguishing their newfound hope.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared emotional core: a deep melancholic tone born from the 'what if' scenario. They share a steady pacing that allows for character reflection, high intensity from criminal stakes, and a heavy emotional weight centered on futile dreams and fated tragedy.

Gritty urban tragedies about brotherhood like As Tears Go By

Stories of fierce loyalty in harsh cityscapes, where bonds become a death sentence.For viewers who appreciated the intense brotherly bond and fatalistic urban setting of As Tears Go By, this list features similar movies about loyal partnerships in crime. These stories explore how deep loyalty in a violent world can lead to a tragic, fated conclusion.

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Narrative Summary

The plot centers on a codependent relationship, typically between a more level-headed protagonist and a volatile, self-destructive partner. The protagonist repeatedly sacrifices their own safety and potential happiness to protect their friend, who continually drags them deeper into danger. The narrative is a straightforward descent, set against a bleak city backdrop, where the theme of fate overshadows any chance of escape.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a specific combination of a high-intensity, gritty urban mood, a steady pacing that builds dread, and a straightforward narrative arc focused on a fatalistic 'brotherly' bond. The unifying experience is the feeling of watching a train wreck in slow motion, driven by unwavering loyalty.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in As Tears Go By

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