“Ashes of Time” is essentially fanfiction imagining a prequel to a famous wuxia novel, sacrificing action in favor of a more contemplative approach laden with pronounced lyricism both in visuals and dialogue. The narrative is intricate and built upon multiple love triangles. Although in line with the tropes of classical literature, I have to admit it wasn’t particularly riveting. The true merit of this work lies in its ability to enchant with its visuals despite the evident low budget, perhaps offering some of the most memorable shots in the director's entire filmography. On the contrary, the very few action sequences are a huge letdown, deconstructed and butchered by the choppy framerate typical of Kar-Wai's works.