DCSIMG
 
 

Three Times (2005)

Three Times (2005)
Member Rating:  
Millennium Mambo director Hou Hsiao-hsien explores the ever-changing cycle of love in this collection of three romantic stories set in 1911, 1966, and 2005 and utilizing the same actors in all three tales. In "A Time for Love," a fresh-faced soldier boy named Chen (Chang Chen) searches for a pool hall hostess named May (Shu Qi) who captured his heart before disappearing into the crowd. The second tale, set against the backdrop of the Japanese occupation of Taiwan and entitled "A Time for Freedom," finds an elegant courtesan tending to a young intellectual in a lavish brothel. The trilogy draws to a close with a segment entitled "A Time for Youth" in which a present-day Taipei singer who is also an epileptic neglects her female lover to seek the romantic attentions of a talented photographer. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

 Read More


Starring:
Shu Qi, Chang Chen, (more)
Director(s):
Hou Hsiao-Hsien
Format(s):
DVD
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 
 
 

Synopsis of Three Times

Millennium Mambo director Hou Hsiao-hsien explores the ever-changing cycle of love in this collection of three romantic stories set in 1911, 1966, and 2005 and utilizing the same actors in all three tales. In "A Time for Love," a fresh-faced soldier boy named Chen (Chang Chen) searches for a pool hall hostess named May (Shu Qi) who captured his heart before disappearing into the crowd. The second tale, set against the backdrop of the Japanese occupation of Taiwan and entitled "A Time for Freedom," finds an elegant courtesan tending to a young intellectual in a lavish brothel. The trilogy draws to a close with a segment entitled "A Time for Youth" in which a present-day Taipei singer who is also an epileptic neglects her female lover to seek the romantic attentions of a talented photographer. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
135 mins

Complete Cast of Three Times


Director(s):
Hou Hsiao-Hsien
Writer(s):
Chu T'ien-wen, Chu Tien-wen
Producer(s):
Hwamg Wem-ying, Chang Hua-fu, Hou Hsiao-Hsien
Categories:
Independent Films, Romance
Looking for special editions of Three Times?
See All Versions
Subtitles:
Check All Versions
Closed Captioning:
Check All Versions
 
 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription
 
Buy Previously Viewed   $2.39
(disc only) 

 

IN-STORE

 

ON DEMAND

Blockbuster Instant Video

Watch thousands of movies instantly on your TV, tablet, mobile phone or computer with no monthly subscription. You pay only for what you watch.
 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
    YOUR REVIEW
    WRITE A REVIEW
     
    1000 
     
    Member Reviews
    Read all (17)
     
    James V.

    A trilogy featuring the same two stars (Qi Shu and Chen Chang) in three love stories set 50 years ago, 100 years ago and present day, THREE TIMES is one-third of a fine film. It's the first episode that may sweetly, quietly tear you apart: a near love story of missed connections in pool halls of various cities. The second section, which takes place in the early 1900s, is, for some reason, like a silent movie, with Chinese subtitles that are then translated into English. I'm not sure why director/co-writer Hsiao-hsien Hou chose this method, since the cinematography is in gorgeous, sharp color (nothing like the quality of a black-and-white silent film). Yet the beauty of people and place carries you along to number three--which is pretty much an unmitigated disaster: a modern piece of Asian anomie that--though it deals in love (hetero & homo), drugs and sex--is tiresome, repetitive and ugly. Figure four stars for #1, three for #2 and 2 for #3.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Spencer C.

    The first story, "A Time for Love," in Three Times took my breath away. It moved and touched me in a way that a film rarely does. It's a simple love story, about a young man searching for a pool hall hostess. But it's shot and acted with simple elegance, grace, beauty, and tenderness. It moves at un unhurried pace. The lovers, played by Chang Chen and the lovely and talented Shu Qi, are shy and awkard, but extremely appealing and earnest. "A Time for Love" is a terrific work of art--a gem. Unfortunately, the two tales that follow, "A Time for Freedom" and "A Time for Youth," are much less successful. It's too bad, because if they would've been the same caliber as the first tale, this movie would be a masterpiece. I recommend you rent this movie, but just watch the first story. That alone makes this movie worth renting

    Yes   |   No

     
    Joe H.

    I sufferred through this film because Ebert hailed it as "One of the great films of the year".....DAMN YOU Ebert

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 17 Reviews
       

      Rating Systems

       

      Blockbuster

      Find Us Online: BLOCKBUSTER Blog - BLOCKBUSTER Widgets - BLOCKBUSTER RSS FEED - BLOCKBUSTER Facebook Page - BLOCKBUSTER Twitter Page - BLOCKBUSTER Wiki

      Email Exclusives

      BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster L.L.C.
        2013 Blockbuster L.L.C. All rights reserved.

      Portions of Content Provided by Rovi Corporation.   2013 Rovi Corporation.