January 7, 2008
Lust, Caution is an intense drama set mainly in Japanese-occupied Shanghai. It follows the fortunes of a patriotic Chinese theatre group, who start their career by putting on plays to stir up nationalistic pride in Hong Kong. Naively, they determine to use their acting talents to help the Chinese resistance more directly. They plan to worm their way into the life of a particularly vicious member of the colaborationist Chinese government, Mr Yee (Tony Leung). It soon becomes apparent that the most effective way of doing this is to utilise the charms of their beautiful leading lady Wong (Wei Tang). Their first attempt goes badly wrong, but they are never actually exposed, so three years later, the group tries again, this time under the guidance of the main Chinese resistance movement.
The film is absolutely gripping as a straight spy story, which is what it is in the first half. But what it becomes in the second half is even more involving. You can see it coming, but that doesn't lessen the impact. When Yee and Wong start their affair, emotions, identities, and objectives become confused. It turns the film into a very modern version of a Joan Fontaine Hitchcock thriller, where you feel every up and down in the heroine's emotional journey. The difference, apart from the explicit sex scenes, is that Wong is a much more active player in her own drama.
Wei Tang is absolutely amazing in this role. She's pretty and innocent-looking, with a great line in downward glances and subtle pouts, but she also conveys Wong's phenomenal courage. Tony Leung is great too, showing all the jaded humanity that made him so moving in In the Mood for Love and 2046.
This is a tough, grown-up, but also swooningly romantic film. I found it absolutely gut-wrenching.
One thing – it did make me wish I knew a bit more about this aspect of the second world war, and it would be useful if you have time to bone up before you see it. It would probably also be useful to know the rules to Mah-Jong!
The film is absolutely gripping as a straight spy story, which is what it is in the first half. But what it becomes in the second half is even more involving. You can see it coming, but that doesn't lessen the impact. When Yee and Wong start their affair, emotions, identities, and objectives become confused. It turns the film into a very modern version of a Joan Fontaine Hitchcock thriller, where you feel every up and down in the heroine's emotional journey. The difference, apart from the explicit sex scenes, is that Wong is a much more active player in her own drama.
Wei Tang is absolutely amazing in this role. She's pretty and innocent-looking, with a great line in downward glances and subtle pouts, but she also conveys Wong's phenomenal courage. Tony Leung is great too, showing all the jaded humanity that made him so moving in In the Mood for Love and 2046.
This is a tough, grown-up, but also swooningly romantic film. I found it absolutely gut-wrenching.
One thing – it did make me wish I knew a bit more about this aspect of the second world war, and it would be useful if you have time to bone up before you see it. It would probably also be useful to know the rules to Mah-Jong!