All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day

From the brilliant mind of Wong Kar Wai (director of Chungking Express), these lyrics from the song California Dreamin’ by The Mamas & The Papas, perfectly placed in Chungking Express, just transports you to another world.

Basically, the story revolves around two Hong Kong cops, a mysterious woman, a server in a restaurant, and their crazy viewpoints. The interesting part is—you agree with them. Believe me, the experience feels more like hypnosis.

Moving on, the proceedings and technical brilliance are top-notch and, at the same time, make one totally immerse in a trance. It's like a hit of fresh breeze to the weary soul.

Actually, Chungking Express was considered a passion project by Wong Kar Wai, made to relieve himself from the stress of his previous film, Ashes of Time. Self-produced, he had to manage the film's budget on a shoestring, due to which the production faced many issues. In an incident quoted by Wong Kar Wai himself, the direction team had to run away from cops as they weren't permitted to shoot at that location. It was all chaos in production—but little did he know, he was creating a masterpiece.

Enough with the chatter—when are you planning to get tranced by this drug named Chungking Express? (Those who have already watched it, just rewatch it.)


And finally, all together:

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
If I didn't tell her (if I didn't tell her)
I could leave today (I could leave today)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day

"That's what she said."