Chungking Express (1996) - Quotes

Enduring Memories and Time's Limits

Taglines: If my memory of her has an expiration date, let it be 10,000 years..

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Flight Change Notification and Key Handover

Stewardess: [in a letter to Cop 663] Change of flight. Your place cancelled. Here's your key. Bye.

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The Fluidity of Personal Preferences

Woman in blonde wig: Actually, really knowing someone doesn't mean anything. People change. A person may like pineapple today and something else tomorrow.

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Embracing Uncertainty in Everyday Life

Woman in blonde wig: Somehow I've become very cautious. When I put on a raincoat, I put on sunglasses too. Who knows when it will rain, or when it will turn out sunny?

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A Reflection on Business Acumen

Cop 663: [to Faye about previous restaurant's owner] He has great business sense. First he sold me fish and chips, then the whole thing.

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Misunderstanding about California trip revealed.

Cop 663: [after his date failed to meet him in "California" restaurant] Actually she did go to California that evening. But it was the other one.

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The Struggle of Self-Identity and Change

Cop 663: [to new soap's bar; to new towel; as it drips] You mustn't let yourself go. You've gained weight so fast. She may have gone but life goes on. You must stop indulging yourself. You're a real disappointment to me. You've changed so much. You can't just switch personality like this. Her walking out is no excuse. It was such a relief when I saw it crying. It may look different, but it's still true to itself. It's still an emotionally charged towel.

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Reflections on Loneliness and Abandonment

Cop 663: [after he finds out his apartment was flooded] Did I leave the tap running, or is the apartment getting more tearful? I always thought it would cope okay. Didn't expect it to cry so much. When people cry, they can dry their eyes with tissues. But when an apartment cries, it takes a lot to mop it up.

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Changing Course in Relationships

Cop 663: I thought we'd stay together for the long haul, flying like a jumbo jet on a full tank. But we changed course.

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Reflections on Loss and Self-Worth

Cop 663: [to soap bar; to washcloth] Since she left, everything in the flat is sad. Everything needed lulling to sleep. You've lost a lot of weight, you know. You used to be so chubby. Have more confidence in yourself. You have to stop crying, you know. Where's your strength and absorbency? You're so shabby these days.

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A Question About Pineapple Preferences

Cop 223: Do you... like pineapple?

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Unsuccessful Attempts to Connect with Others

Cop 223: [calling potential dates] Lulu? This is Qiwu. Want to come out for a drink? You're in bed already? This early? You were asleep? Never mind. Bye. Chieko-san? Guess who? This is Qiwu. That's right. Want to come out for a drink? Your husband? When did you get married? Five years! Has it been that long? You have two kids! You're happy, that's great! Okay, never mind. Is Kong Siu-wai there? This is He Qiwu. We were classmates in grade four. You don't remember? Nothing, goodbye.

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Fleeting Connections and Unforeseen Outcomes

Cop 223: At the high point of our intimacy, we were just 0.01 cm from each other. I knew nothing about her. Six hours later, she fell in love with another man.

Perception of Self and Objectification

Cop 223: In May's eyes, I'm no different from a can of pineapple.

Contemplating the Nature of Memories

Cop 223: If memories could be canned, would they also have expiry dates? If so, I hope they last for centuries.

The Nature of Expiry in Life

Cop 223: Somehow everything comes with an expiry date. Swordfish expires. Meat sauce expires. Even cling-film expires. Is there anything in the world which doesn't?

Love and Expiration Dates

Cop 223: We split up on April Fool's Day. So I decided to let the joke run for a month. Every day I buy a can of pineapple with a sell-by date of May 1. May loves pineapple, and May 1 is my birthday. If May hasn't changed her mind by the time I've bought thirty cans, then our love will also expire.