He is basically a hitman, he kills for money. There is no direct plot, it just tells the individual stories of the many different friends and clients of Fengs. These people include a swordsman who drinks a magical wine that enables the person to lose their memory, another swordsman who will eventually turn blind, and must protect his village from soldiers, a brother and sister pair who attempt to have eachother bumped off, a woman who must avenge her brothers death, and a woman whom Feng loves most. The cinematography by now Wong regular, Christopher Doyle, is astounding. Each and every shot is grade A work.
Some shots are so amazing, it is as if they have a life of their own, because they explain so much.
This film contains Doyle's best work to date. Wong Kar Wai also secured a slot for action legend Sammo Hung, appropriately as action director. The choreography is top notch, but is diluted by the bouncy camera work, streaking slow mo, basically Wong Kar Wai's style. Leslie Cheung gives a great performance that is restrained, perfectly matching his character. Bridgette Lin is again, stunning, and perfectly complements that with her ice cold stare.