“Lust, Caution 2007” is a seductive and thrilling tale of espionage set in World War II-era Shanghai. A group of idealistic young students form a plan to assassinate a high-ranking official collaborating with the Japanese. But when one member becomes intimately involved with the target, their mission becomes dangerously complicated. The film is both elegant and erotic, with stunning performances from its lead actors and a tense and gripping plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
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Review
In the early hours of a rainy morning in Shanghai, the sound of footsteps echoed down an empty street. The year was 1942, and the world was at war. The city’s buildings were dark and shadowy, and a sense of foreboding filled the air. It was in this setting that Ang Lee’s 2007 masterpiece “Lust, Caution” begins.
Based on the novella by Eileen Chang, Lust Caution is a story of love, betrayal, and espionage during World War II. It tells the story of Wang Jiazhi (Tang Wei), a young woman who joins a group of resistance fighters in Shanghai to spy on Mr. Yee (Tony Leung Chiu-wai), a high-ranking official in the collaborationist government.
The story is set against a backdrop of Taiwanese director Ang Lee’s signature visual style that transports viewers to another era through stunning cinematography and attention to detail. With its intricate plotlines and furtive characters that stay with you long after viewing, Lust Caution is nothing short of cinematic art at its finest.
The movie opens with Wang Jiazhi performing in a play before moving on to gather information for her team as they plan to assassinate Mr. Yee. Her performance catches Mr. Yee’s eye, leading him to offer her an opportunity to be his lover before he is called away on business.
The two become entangled in an affair that quickly blurs the lines between truth and fiction, love and hate. Tang Wei’s portrayal of Wang Jiazhi is exquisite as she seamlessly transforms from her role as an actress into that of a spy.
Tony Leung Chiu-wai delivers an equally remarkable performance as Mr. Yee – his brooding intensity adding suspenseful tension throughout each scene he inhabits.
Lee’s direction brings depth and complexity to each character while highlighting their subtle nuances so cleverly one can almost feel the timidness in Wang Jiazhi’s walk or the sinister undertones hidden behind Mr. Yee’s calculated eyes.
The chemistry between Tang Wei and Tony Leung Chiu-wai is electric, providing a palpable sense of tension that lingers throughout the entire movie. It captures the essence of forbidden love – two individuals on opposite sides of a conflict finding solace in each other’s arms.
The movie is not for the faint-hearted as it includes explicit sex scenes which caused great controversy upon its release. Still, Lee manages to portray intimacy in a manner that is both beautiful and authentic without ever feeling exploitative.
Lust, Caution was initially rated NC-17 by the Motion Picture Association of America due to its graphic content. The decision was controversial as it highlighted a double standard between American and foreign films – but also brought attention to it.
One cannot ignore Lust, Caution’s score composed by Alexandre Desplat, which transports viewers to another time with its grand orchestral arrangements that brilliantly capture every emotion felt by characters. It was nominated for Best Original Score at both the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards.
Lust, Caution’s themes are timeless, presenting audiences with a thought-provoking insight into war and political intrigue’s complexity through masterful storytelling. Lee’s direction effectively conveys ideas of patriotism, morality, loyalty and self-sacrifice that transcend cultural boundaries.
Ultimately, Lust, Caution is an emotionally complex story about sacrifice and loss. It examines human desires’ depth while presenting them as inseparable from one another, be they moral or immoral. Each character undergoes transformation throughout their journey leading up to its explosive climax – one you won’t be able to forget.
In conclusion, Ang Lee’s Lust Caution is an unforgettable film whose visual poetry lingers long after its final credits roll. It’s an impressive piece of cinema that encapsulates drama with intensity all while blurring the line between right and wrong. Despite its controversial scenes, it tells a story that affects all of us on some level – making it one of the most memorable films to have been made in recent years. Anyone who appreciates an epic love story intertwined with elements of betrayal, espionage and politics will love this film.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 158
- Release : 2007-09-27
- Genre : Action, Drama, Romance, Thriller
- Cast : Tony Leung Chiu-wai as Mr. Yee, Tang Wei as Wong Chia Chi / Mrs. Mak, Joan Chen as Mrs. Yee, Leehom Wang as Kuang Yu Min, Tsung-Hua Tou as Old Wu
- Crew : Rodrigo Prieto as Director of Photography, William Kong as Producer, Ang Lee as Director, Ang Lee as Producer, James Schamus as Screenplay
- Popularity 19.465
- Budget : $15,000,000
- Revenue : $67,091,915
- Company : River Road Entertainment, Haishang Films, Focus Features
- Summary : During World War II, a secret agent must seduce then assassinate an official who works for the Japanese puppet government in Shanghai. Her mission becomes clouded when she finds herself falling in love with the man she is assigned to kill.
- Tagline : To kill the enemy, she would have to capture his heart… and break her own.
