Review of Lust, Caution (2007) by Caleb M — 13 Dec 2008

If you've heard anything about Ang Lee's Lust, Caution it's probably that its too long and too graphic. You know what? That may be true. Know what else? This film is a stunning, beautiful, thrilling work of art.

With meticulous attention to detail, beautiful images and a captivating performance from Wei Tang. You can say it's self indulgent at 2 hours and 39 minutes long and you can say the sex is uneccesarily graphic, but films like this require your attention and care.

Epics are supposed to be big, and the long running time can either put you off, or help you to lose yourself in the time and place, it all depends on if you're patient and willing to submit yourself to the film.

I happily found myself lost in World War II China. As for the sex, first, why does the MPAA make a bigger deal about it than violence? Audiences under 17 aren't allowed to buy a ticket for this because it shows two people having sexual intercourse, but as long as they have an "adult" they can get into the latest Saw flick and watch people get torn apart or hung from hooks? Sure the sex is extreme here, it isn't pornography, but it is very very graphic.

We feel Wong Chia Chi's mixture of pain, hatred and attraction for Mr. Yee in these scenes. Lust, Caution is a remarkably involving and luscious film that cinephiles will most likely appreciate the most.