THREE TIMES — ** 1/2 — Shu Qi, Chang Chen; with English subtitles (Asian dialects); not rated, probable PG-13 (sex, vulgarity, brief drugs)."Three Times" is about one time too many.
In this Taiwanese import, filmmaker Hou Hsiao-Hsien tries to tell three tales of romance during different parts of the 20th and 21st centuries. But he winds up stretching a modestly interesting premise out too long — over more than two hours.
As a result, the film gets a little repetitive, and the third of the three segments — the last one — is definitely the least interesting of the bunch.
Still, it does boast a strong visual style and good performances. And its credible period re-creations are lovely.
The first segment, "A Time For Love," is set in the 1960s and examines the relationship between May (Shu Qi), a pool-hall employee, and Chen (Chang Chen), a shy soldier who's about to be sent in action.
In "A Time For Freedom," Chen's character is a married diplomat who strikes up a conversational relationship with a courtesan played by Shu. (Set in 1911, this portion of the film is done silent-movie style, complete with dialogue cards.)
Shu returns as a conflicted, bisexual singer in the third, a contemporary piece titled "A Time For Youth." Chen's character is a photographer obsessed with the musician.
In tone and in its look, the movie is a little reminiscent of Wong Kar-Wai's 2000 drama "In the Mood for Love," though at least that film had the sense to keep its length down to less than two hours.
More than a few audience members will be shifting in their seats because of this film's rather slow, indulgent pacing, though there are rewards for patient viewers. Chief among them are three distinctly different performances given by Shu, whose annoying turn as a woman in distress in 2002's "The Transporter" may have led some to write her off too early. She's also well-matched by Chang ("2046").
"Three Times" is not rated but would probably receive a PG-13 for simulated sex and other sexual contact, some suggestive talk and crude slang terms, and some brief drug content (mostly references). Running time: 135 minutes.
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