When the producers of Lust, Caution confronted director Ang Lee about his film’s NC-17 rating, he refused to take out any scenes. Directors know that such a rating can be a death sentence at the box office, but Lee’s decision was justified; the sex scenes make the film, adding not only the right tone but the right emotions to elevate the film from just another thriller to a study in lust and power.
The story follows college student Wang Jiazhi and her dangerous involvement with a revolutionary group fighting against the Japanese in China during WW II. They start out as a theatrical group putting on nationalistic plays, but eventually they take militant action against the Japanese, targeting traitor Mr. Yee, a Japanese aide. Wang eventually gets into a steamy relationship with Mr. Yee; the real meat of the film commences there.
Even though Wei Tang plays the role of Wang Jiazhi with realism and subtle emotions, it is Tony Leung’s ferocity that truly shines in this film. Leung, as Mr. Yee, shows the full extent of his passion for Wang with just a glance, and his actions against his countrymen are shown through his sexual tactics rather than through violence. Ang Lee’s decision to omit torture scenes only reinforces his faith in Leung’s ability to show his terror unobtrusively. The whole film relies on the sexual tension and frustration between the two characters. So much goes on during their sex scenes; her face screams with anguish and pleasure while his face is taut and dead.
The film’s only major flaw is the overly long backstory. The film elaborates on multiple acts in Wang Jiazhi’s past so the audience can understand her actions. By the time the film shows the results, many opportunities to add to the theme of misguided lust are lost. The sex scenes are powerful because the audience knows that she wants to kill him, not because of her past.
Every shot in this film is controlled and beautiful without any unnecessary movement of the camera. The cinematography replicates films of the 30s and 40s, which are constantly referenced in this film. Some scenes have a European feel, depicting cobblestone streets and azure blue skies. Despite the tension and tone of the acting, there are romantic colors constantly floating around. The cinematography balances the inner turmoil of the characters.
Ang Lee has made such a variety of films, from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to Brokeback Mountain, that it boggles audiences and critics alike how attempts to make vastly different films never fail. Lust, Caution not only proves that he can successfully make a sexually driven film, but also that he can pretty much do anything.
