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Search 713 spoiler-free recommendations from 1916 to 2026. Filter by the night you want—not the list you’re supposed to finish.

Direct film viewShowing master rank #682 on its own—not above the ranking.
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Artwork
DirectorAll directors

Most represented · 6+ films

More recurring directors · 3–5 films54
All directors · surname A–Z438
ActorAll actors

Most represented actors

Big Three membership
Major award winners

1 selected film

Master Rank balances Greatness, Engagement, and Ease. Sort by Greatness for the artistic-canon view.

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View Happy Together film page
Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List

Spoiler-free premise

Hong Kong lovers Lai Yiu-fai and Ho Po-wing become stranded in Argentina, repeating separation and reunion far from home.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

Lai Yiu-fai and Ho Po-wing travel from Hong Kong to Argentina hoping to renew their relationship but separate after failing to reach Iguazu Falls. Lai takes work in Buenos Aires while Ho repeatedly returns, and coworker Chang offers another form of connection.

Why it belongs

Happy Together makes a failing relationship sensuous through handheld color, monochrome memory, Astor Piazzolla, cramped rooms, and Leung and Cheung's bruising intimacy.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

The falls lamp, tango bars, shared apartment, kitchen work, changing film stocks, Buenos Aires streets, and Piazzolla's bandoneon make distance and repetition physical—Tony Leung's restraint meets Leslie Cheung's volatile need.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20
Cannes1 win1997 · official festival record ↗
Award for Best Director1997 · WONG Kar Waiofficial festival record ↗

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Good for
Film Club
Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.

Institutional reference ranks

Sight & Sound225IMDb Top 250—AFI 100—
Reference metadata only · not part of the 40/40/20 score

Great Cinema Master List scores

Greatness8.6
Engagement6.4
Ease5.3

Mandarin · Not Rated
Narrative Feature
Mood: Romantic & Reflective