Lust, Caution (2007) – Chinese Movie – Review

Lust, Caution is not short of being another master-piece by Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) than it is another one of his controversial films (Brokeback Mountain). FYI, the films aforementioned have both won an Oscar. Lust, Caution has a long list of nominations and awards itself. Its to no surprise that the espionage thriller (and perhaps erotic) film was based on a novella — by Elieen Chang whom is known for her love-tension fiction.

The movie itself is quite long, so the “caution” and “lust” is quite drawn out. The word erotic is often tagged to Lust, Caution for its ‘explicit sex scenes’. Aside from being a captivating erotic melodrama about forbidden love, its an espionage thriller of great proportion. In the context of a Japanese occupied Shanghai, its actually quite epic.

Full plot (spoiler, don’t even read it, just watch)

“…the story of a group of patriotic Chinese students who hatch a plot to assassinate the Japanese-allied intelligence chief in World War II-era Shanghai.” (Movie247)

English trailer

“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.” (IMDb)

Starring: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai // Tang Wei // Joan Chen // Leehom Wang

Full reviews: Guardian // Rotten Tomatoes // indieLondon // MonkeyPeaches // Mvhit // Gypsyscribe // Sex and the University // Etheriel Musings // NY Times // Telegraph

aparoo’s words: provocative, drama, romance, espionage, thriller, suspense, explicit, erotic, love, lust, passion, sex, politics, revolution, oppression, freedom, war