ACED Magazine

Rating: R
Starring: Tang Wei, Tony Leung, Wang Lee Hom, Joan Chen, Chih-ying Chu
Directed by: Ang Lee

Synopsis: Shanghai, 1942. The World War II Japanese occupation of this Chinese city continues in force. Mrs. Mak, a woman of sophistication and means, walks into a cafe, places a call, and then sits and waits. She remembers how her story began several years earlier, in 1938 China. She is not in fact Mrs. Mak, but shy Wong Chia Chi.

With WWII underway, Wong has been left behind by her father, who has escaped to England. As a freshman at university, she meets fellow student Kuang Yu Min. Kuang has started a drama society to shore up patriotism. As the theater troupe's new leading lady, Wong realizes that she has found her calling, able to move and inspire audiences--and Kuang.

He convenes a core group of students to carry out a radical and ambitious plan to assassinate a top Japanese collaborator, Mr. Yee. Each student has a part to play; Wong will be Mrs. Mak, who will gain Yee's trust by befriending his wife and then draw the man into an affair.

Wong transforms herself utterly inside and out, and the scenario proceeds as scripted--until an unexpectedly fatal twist spurs her to flee. Shanghai, 1941. With no end in sight for the occupation, Wong--having emigrated from Hong Kong--goes through the motions of her existence. Much to her surprise, Kuang re-enters her life. Now part of the organized resistance, he enlists her to again become Mrs. Mak in a revival of the plot to kill Yee, who as head of the collaborationist secret service has become even more a key part of the puppet government. As Wong reprises her earlier role, and is drawn ever closer to her dangerous prey, she finds her very identity being pushed to the limit...

DVD Features:

• Tiles of Deception, Lurid Affections

Critique:

This is a great historically character-driven film. Replete with fabulous performances by the actors, gorgeous cinematography and a sound story, Lust, Caution is a must-see for any film buff.

Yes, there is a bit of sex, but it is important to the plot. These scenes are scattered here and there and do not make up the entire story. Wei Tang and Tony Leung give an excellent illustration of forbidden intimacy in a complicated era. Near the end, the audience gets the impression that her character (Wong) does indeed have feelings for him (Yee), albeit against her will.

Although there is just one featurette on this disc, it is a very interesting and intuitive addition. A wonderful complement.

Final Analysis: Lust, Caution is a masterful work of art that captures the atmosphere and essence from a time in Chinese history. It is perfect for film enthusiasts, independent film lovers, college students majoring in film or television production, or those who like a good, solid story and don't mind reading subtitles.

This Reviewer's Rating: 4.5 / 5

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