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->''His subject in "Three Times" is our yearning to love and be loved, and the way the world casually dismisses it... Hou Hsiao-hsien shows us people who could make each other happy and been happy themselves, and he watches them miss their chance.''
-->-- '''Creator/RogerEbert'''

''Three Times'' (最好的時光) is a 2005 movie by art-house Taiwanese director Creator/HouHsiaoHsien. It depicts the encounter of a boy and a girl (always played by Creator/ChangChen and Creator/ShuQi respectively) in three different historical contexts, showing how the relationship plays out in the varying circumstances.

The first one takes place in 1966: the boy is a soldier on leave, the girl a snooker hall hostess. The second one takes place in 1911: the boy is a journalist and political activist, the girl is a [[HighClassCallGirl high-class indentured courtesan]]. The third one takes place in 2005: the boy is a freelance photographer, the girl is an alternative pop singer.

The film is notable for its exquisite sense of composition and its beautiful photography. Creator/RogerEbert has observed that it is "photographed with such visual beauty that watching the movie is like holding your breath so the butterfly won't stir." It also contains an understated wistfulness about chances missed and love unfulfilled.

Not to be confused with the RuleOfThree.
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!!Contains examples of:

* AnachronicOrder: The 1966 story comes before the 1911 one.
* BoyMeetsGirl: Three times over.
* HookerWithAHeartOfGold: The girl in 1911.
* IronicEpisodeTitle: The middle part is titled "A Time For Freedom", and depicts a woman bound in indentured prostitution.
* LoveTriangle: In 2005, the girl is bisexual and has both a boyfriend and a girlfriend.
* RetrauxFlashback: The silent movie 1911 segment.
* SilenceIsGolden: The 1911 story is silent except for some music. The characters' words are conveyed via title cards.
* TearfulSmile: The courtesan tries to put on a brave face after figuring out that her lover won't buy her out of her condition as she hoped.
* UmbrellaOfTogetherness: At the end of the first part, the boy and girl stand under the same umbrella while waiting for the bus, and [[IntertwinedFingers their hands find one another]].

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