Lust, Caution
Based in the time of the Second World War, Lust, Caution is a tale which plays over a four-year period, during the times when the Japanese occupied parts of Shanghai and Hong Kong.
What starts as a University drama group performing to inspire patriotism, ends up turning into a full scale assassination plot to target the chief Japanese collaborator, Yee, who they see as a traitor to the people of China.
The group, which is led by Yu Min, travel to Hong Kong. Feeling a need to do something 'real' for their country, they concoct a plan to kill Yee. However they soon realize that Yee is one overly-protected and overly-cautious individual, and killing him will require a great deal more thought. So it is at this point where Chia Chi steps up to the plate. She is the lead actress of the group and has an amazing ability to inspire and evoke emotion in her performances. And so it is through this skill that the group sees their 'real' chance at getting to Yee; have him fall for Chia Chi. However the group is too young, too inexperienced and too clumsy to pull it off and ultimately the campaign is a failure.
Three years pass by and the plan to assassinate Yee is brought back to life, conversely this time, the plan is given greater thought and direction. Led by a higher authority, Chia Chi revives her previously assumed cover and is now given greater access to Yee than previously before. It is from this point forth where the real fireworks between Yee and Chia Chi take place.
There is has been a bit of talk regarding the sexually explicit nature of this film; however unlike a lot of other films that hit the mainstream, the content is justified and done so within the right context of the film. In the United States the film was given an NC-17 rating (a rating higher in impact than the R classification) and it was suggested that certain parts be edited out, however the filmmakers and producers stood their ground and stayed firm with their final product, and rightfully so.
Running at just over 2½ hours Lust, Caution may test some peoples' patience, but nonetheless is a worthwhile experience.
*** (out of 4 stars)
Solomon Paul
