Sorry, this movie sucks

Memorable, crazy movie

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Having been a sincere fan of Taiwanese super-director Ang Lee since his superb 'The Ice Storm', I have seen him bravely move from one contentious subject, to another, usually with incredible aplomb.After sweeping the boards with awards for his English language and rightly popular 'Brokeback Mountain', he definitely doesn't rest on his laurels and did not re-make some other short story to the same successful recipe.Only a very brave or suicidal director would come up with a two-and-a- half hour, slow moving war-time epic set in Shanghai, as the follow-up. Listed under both Erotic and Period as well as drama and foreign language, these are not the genres that anyone wanting to make a quick buck would sanely go for. However, whilst stately and often beautiful, it is not one that I sit too happily with and I've just watched my DVD of it for the second time.The story is fairly complex and the first hour is spent setting up the remaining 90 mins. The leads, though are spell-bindingly hypnotic, especially in the often poetic and fluid direction. The music, too, for me, plays a big part, eking out and complimenting the emotions and feeling of the scenes.The erotic tag is justified, though if anyone thinks that it's wall-to- wall sex scenes WILL be disappointed - and wait an awfully long time for when they do. Despite their relative candidness, they are strangely beautiful and Lee has coaxed out that rare thing - intimacy with feeling - in the throws of passion it is possible to see just what each partner is getting from the sex, just from the expression in their eyes: quality stuff. Unfortunately, the sexual violence that precedes all this is difficult to watch and is one of the main reasons why I cannot wholly enjoy, or recommend this film. A pity.Is this a mis-judgement on Ang Lee's part? Possibly not and many do think it a great film of high merit. Having said that, we all have our no-go areas and at the end of the day, no amount of brilliance can wholly redeem a film, or indeed, anything which crosses those boundaries.

I was enthralled by Ang Lee's modern classic Brokeback Mountain. So I decided to check out Lust, Caution that got the golden lion at the Venice Film Festival. I am happy that this was the first Chinese film I saw as it is a true masterpiece.Wong Chia Chi is a shy, inexperienced University student who transforms into the wealthy, elegant Mrs. Mai to spy on the special agent Mr. Yee. Though their first attempt fails, she traps Mr. Yee the second time. But this time, their relation grows from violent, lustful to emotional, intense and passionate.Lust, love and betrayal are key-elements in the plot and Ang Lee juxtaposes them effectively. Even small, minute details are paid attention in the film. For instance, never again will you see (or play) Mahjong without recalling the opulent scene of the game in the beginning. The production design gives a magnificent look and, I assume, is historically accurate. Cinematography is excellent. The film is 160 minutes long and certain sequences are tiring and overwhelming to watch, especially the graphic sex scenes that display the elements of lust and passion. Nevertheless, the screenplay is captivating and the clandestine means of the group are amusing to watch.Tang Wei's performance belies that this was her very first film role. She is the lifeline of Lust, Caution. She is the naïve, shy girl of the university, the rebellious, patriotic spy and the silent, secluded, mysterious mistress of Mr. Yee. She breathes life into each of her dimensions and comes up with a mesmerizing performance that prompts you to watch the film over and over. Joan Chen is lovable as Mrs. Yee. Leehom Wang is perfect for the role. Tony Leung Chiu-Wai got an extremely tough role to which he has put commendable efforts.Lee's direction, what can I say? He is the master. I was speechless as the film ended. He is a director who surpasses expectations, although this was just his second film I saw. I was pleasantly surprised to see Indian actor Anupam Kher in the film as a jeweler. He was flawless as always.Ang Lee's Lust, Caution is a must watch – favorably the NC-17 version. Also, the film has wonderful music. It is pure art.

Movies have lot of sex as people are interested about it and it gives popularity to very poor movies also. However, I have seen only few movies which actually tell a story that would not be complete without showing bold sex scenes. The "Lust, Caution" is one of these movies.This movie is long and goes onward very slowly, but it manages to create a unforgettable atmosphere to a patient viewer. The set and actors make a good work in creating the picture of upper-class life in WWII in Hong Kong and Shanghhai and the resistance towards Japanese occupiers.The actual story is about a student girl who becomes an agent infiltrating near to Japanese supporting officials. The plot is quite simple, but it manages still leave a lot of thinking to the viewer.

Most of the movies I have seen recently have been more entertaining than moving. Not this one. This movie simply was incredible about its expressiveness. By seeing into the faces of the actors, you have been living through a myriad of feelings. It's rare a movie is achieving this for me. The reasons are several: Great story, great directing, great music, great atmosphere, great acting. Everything came together and created a movie on a rare level of perfection.****Spoileralert****Throughout the whole movie was an ulterior tension. You have always been scared that either the main actress gets caught, or the main actor is killed. It kept me interested through all 157 minutes.So why does this movie only have 7.6 points on IMDb? It deserves much more. There might be several reasons. Hong Kong movies are rated less high than Hollywood movies in general. And this movie here, doesn't have much in common with Hollywood movies at all. Especially the ending is something that can rarely be found in Hollywood movies. Also, the almost 3 hours might have been too much for many people. Another reason are probably the raw and controversial sexual scenes. I have to say though, they fit perfectly into this movie. They reflect the emotional world the two main actors live in perfectly. I really hate to see women "raped" in movies (she wasn't exactly raped), but it really seemed to "belong" to this movie.****Spoileralert ending****This movie deserves over 8 points on IMDb. I give this movie 10 points because it's is perfect in my eyes. It's probably going to be one one of my all time favorites.