I finally got around to watching Lust, Caution this evening. I've had it sitting here since its release - but this particular style of film requires a certain mood to ensure that you'll really let it sink in and, with all that's been going on recently, it's taken until tonight to find the right time.
We'll get the obvious out of the way first. The film earns every bit of its NC-17 rating. It was just a slight camera angle shift away from moving into the hardcore realm. I assumed that the sex was just very well faked, but I saw some definite ball action at one point that makes me question that. Nonetheless, this isn't, nor is it meant to be, spank material. One could argue that it didn't need to be as explicit as it was, and he may very well be right. It's hard to say. The scenes are, though, used to show something about the characters, particularly Yee (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai). It is where his cautious, borderline paranoid personality has to face his vulnerabilities. It also expresses what Wong Chia Chi (Tang Wei) is giving of herself.
Backing up - Lust, Caution, for those unfamiliar, takes place mostly in Shanghai during World War II as Japan is extending it's reach into China. Wong Chia Chi ends up studying at a Hong Kong university, where she gets involved in a seemingly innocent patriotic drama group. However, the drama group doesn't limit themselves to drama for long, as they begin plotting a way to assassinate a Chinese official, Yee, that is under the influence of the Japanese. Chia Chi takes on the persona of Mak Tai Tai as she becomes romantically involved with Yee in order to draw him from his guard.
Nothing about the plot is particularly new, nor is it going to have any terribly surprising twists and turns. However, Ang Lee has a touch for creating a backdrop for a story, and placing this story into his vision of WWII-era Shanghai sets it apart and allows you to be drawn in to the world. The film is really about the characters as much as the plot, and the two leads put on excellent performances. Tony Leung has been my favorite actor for a long time and with good reason. He can put the most subtle touches on a scene to give you a hint of a character's real feelings or intentions. Again, this goes back to some of the sex scenes. In what could be a purely erotic scene, among all the moving and moaning, he shows glimpses of the character's vulnerabilities. Tang Wei puts on a breakthrough performance in her first major role. It's a daring role to take on as her first, but she handles it like she's a seasoned actress. She, too, can show very subtle signs of her character. Even just a slight quiver of her lower lip during a conversation can show the emotional dilemma she is in. Some might argue that the film is too long for the depth of the plot. While it likely could be done in less time, I personally enjoyed the atmosphere enough that I was not rushed to finish the film.
Overall, I'd give it a recommendation. While the plot itself is not unique or particularly deep, the characters themselves are, and the environment and mood draws it all together.
