• Director: Ang Lee
  

• Writer (s): Eileen Chang, Hui-Ling Wang & James Schamus

• Producer (s): Ang Lee, William Kong & James Schamus

• Starring: Tony Leung, Tang Wei, Joan Chen, Leehom Wang, Tou Chung-Hua, Chu Chih-ying, Chin Kar Lak & Anupam Kher

• Country: People's Republic of China, Taiwan

• Language: Chinese, Mandarin

'Lust, Caution' (2007), Se, jie-- audio is in native Chinese/Mandarin language. To fully enjoy the effect of the film--it is highly recommended that you enjoy the original language version with English subtitles--without English voice dubbing.

If ever there were a movie where espionage and romance were wrapped up into one--then it is in this film Lust, Caution by Director Ang Lee.

The setting for this story is in 1940's China, when the Japanese occupied Shanghi. Wong Chia Chi (Tang Wei) was on her way to a University in Shanghai where she inadvertently, got caught up with some Chinese resistance who were against the Japanese occupation of China. She meets a handsome student by the name of Kuang Yu Min (Lee hom Wang)--who was in the drama club at the University and persuades her to join in. Many of the plays the drama team produced was related to the Chinese war against Japan. Kuang was always outspoken when it came to the topic of Japan--in fact, he often spoke openly against Japan and wanted to do something more that act in drama scenes in plays that only depict the Chinese/Japanese war...he wanted a greater contribution to the Japanese occupation of China--and organized a small group of rebels to do just that very thing.

I was a bit upset of Kuang misguiding Chia Chi; for she was secretly in love with him--and he knew it. But his love was to the resistance, and would prove fatal in their relationship. He used that love to embark on a sinister plot to assassinate the man, who was a war recruiter and agent of Japan. They began an elaborate hoax--pretending to be wealthy international commodity traders--and Chia Chi, now is Mrs. Mak--and established herself in the closely knit circle of Mrs. Yee (Joan Chen), the wife of Mr. Ye (Tony Leung) the man the resistance group is attempting to assassinate.

Mr. Ye was instantly attracted to the beautiful Chia Chi--and began a very steamy, violent, mature adult relationship.  The love scenes in this movie are very mature--and because of this, there are several edits of this film. I do suggest the unrated, unedited version of this film. The reason being that in order to grasp the gravity of the relationship between Mr. Yee and Chia Chi-- and as the relationship became more significant--it is almost bitter sweet to watch the more mature portion of their relationship--and desires and events that play out among the secrecy between the both of them.

Of course, Chia Chi becomes attached to Mr. Ye--as he too, began to fall deeply in love with Chia Chi. It is important to emphasize that in this film--their relationship plays out most unfortunate--for everyone. You will soon realize the series of events unfold into a cataclysmic ending.

Ang Lee's brilliance in the direction of this film is masterful. Not only is it visually pleasing to watch--the costumes and staying true to the visuals of that era--expertly achieved. If it weren't for the significance and pure perfection of the ending of this film--I would have never recommended it. But be prepared--this is not a family oriented movie.

'To kill the enemy, she would have to capture his heart....and break her own' (2007).

Se, jie (2007). Lust, Caution.  Director Ang Lee.  IMDb.