I figured I change my pace and watch a film that I’d been meaning to watch forever, but hadn’t had the chance.  So, I bumped Lust, Caution to the top of my Netflix queue and I watched it the same day it arrived.  I’d heard so much about the sex scenes, that I was very “intrigued”, but who woulda thought…it had a friggin’ doosy of a story too!

Rating:

Wong Chia Chi starts the film off as a young girl that knows very little about life, but is very open to try new things, and ends up with a starring role in a local theater group’s performance about freedom and anti-government propaganda.  Things change rapidly as the group decides that it will take it’s ability to act and use it to infiltrate a powerful poitical figure’s life, with the ultimate goal of destroying him.  The political figure is, of course, played by one of my top 5 living actors, Tony Leung (known for Infernal Affairs, In the Mood for Love, Chunking Express and 2046, among others).  

Wong Chia Chi is chosen to befriend Mr. Yee (Leung).  She finds herself playing games with Mr. Yee’s wife, and her small group of friends.  Through several small chance meetings, Wong Chia Chi is able to seduce Mr.  Yee.  Their attraction builds for one another, even as the radical group that Wong Chia Chi works with grows more anxious and Mr.  Yee must find time away from his wife.  A sudden change of plans fowls up the plan, leaving one person dead and the radical group dispersed.  

Four years later Mr. Yee and Wong Chia Chi meet again.  Not only that, but the radical group has been following Wong Chia Chi and knows exactly where she is.  The plan has not changed and now things are heating up on both sides as the radical group wants to make their move and Mr. Yee’s protective barrier starts to crumble as he lets Wong Chia Chi in.  Symbolism is very important in this film.  There are several scenes that made my mouth drop.  I couldn’t believe how simple, yet ingenius they were.

As for the sex scenes, which I’m sure you’re all excited about…they do live up to the hype.  Even knowing the sex is being acted I still had to remind myself that it wasn’t real.  And, not only that, but this isn’t love-dovey sex.  Nope.  No sir.  This is “smack that b*tch around” sex.  And, let’s not forget the cinematography!  WOW!  The film looked gorgeous.  The colors were vivid and the sets looked amazing.  They really captured the WWII setting perfectly.  This film deserves every award it’s been given, and more.