FILM CHALLENGE: 176) Lust, Caution

176) Lust, Caution

Director: Ang Lee

Year: 2007

Plot Summary: An espionage thriller set in WWII-era Shanghai, in which a young woman, Wang Jiazhi, gets swept up in a dangerous game of emotional intrigue with a powerful political figure, Mr. Yee.

It's impossible to deny when watching Lust, Caution that you are in the hands of a masterful film-maker.

During World War II in Japanese-occupied Shanghai a student drama troupe plan to kill a Japanese-supported official, Mr. Yee. For the job, the shy girl leading lady of the group who has the power to convulse the audience, Wong Chia Chi, is chosen. She has to be disguised as Mrs. Mak and has to earn the trust of Mrs. Yee before gaining the heart and trust of Mr. Yee.

Spellbinding to look at, Ang Lee has crafted another beautiful movie on the back of his success with Brokeback Mountain. From the cinematography, costume design and editing to the performances, production design and music, he offers a level of technical polish that few films have ever been able to achieve.

Moreover, the stunning visuals never neglect its main characters who are as psychologically complex and subtly explored as any in cinematic history. Rare for a film with the running time of 160 minutes, Ang Lee manages to balance the epic sweep of the narrative with the intimacy of the characters' internal struggles and battles.

The only problem with creating a movie that is just over 2 and a half hours long and frequently focusses on its characters instead of any drama and action is that it makes Lust, Caution feel very long. Although I found myself engrossed in the resistances mission and the sacrifices Mak Tai Tai is forced to make for it, Ang Lee does test your patience at times.

One thing that must be applauded in Lust, Caution, however, are the fantastic sex scenes. These scenes are one of the few times in which we see the true nature of either of our main characters and help to make their characters even more psychologically complex and deep. Moreover, while many films - even the ones by the most daring of directors - tend to keep their sex scenes safe by hiding the nudity, penetration and keeping it formal, Ang Lee's sex scenes in Lust, Caution are very honest and realistic.

A riveting drama that could have been a masterpiece if it was cut shorter, Lust, Caution is an expertly told story that confirms the genius of Ang Lee. Incredible.

4/5

By Daniel Sarath with 1 comment