Despite the shock-horror headlines that accompanied the theatrical release of Lust, Caution, this World War II tale of sex and secrets really isn’t as shocking as you might expect. The sex scenes certainly aren’t as explicit as those in Michael Winterbottom’s Nine Songs for instance. In fact the real power of these scenes comes from their emotional – rather than physical – nakedness.
Set in Shanghai during the Japanese occupation of 1942, it tells the story of a young student, Wong Chia Chi – beautifully played by newcomer Tang Wei. Wong is recruited by the Chinese resistance forces to spy upon a collaborator called Mr Yee (Tony Leung) and becomes his lover, knowing full well that she will be tortured and killed if her secret is ever revealed.
At the same time, Yee lives in constant fear of revenge from the people he has betrayed. So instead of focusing on the eroticism of their love-making, it’s the desperation of their plight that director Ang Lee reveals in these scenes – they’re not making love, they’re clinging to life. So don’t watch this expecting a few thrills for a Friday night. Lust, Caution is a harrowing drama and a worthy successor to Lee’s Brokeback Mountain.
Score: 7/10
