Caution: seduction

The explicit sexual nature of Ang Lee's newest film, which earned it an NC-17 rating, may make or break many theatergoers' opinions of it. Thankfully, though, "Lust, Caution" has much more than just sex.\n"Lust" is the story of Wong Chia Chi (newcomer Wei Tang), a shy student at a Hong Kong university during the Japanese occupancy in the 1940s. While at school, Wong tries out for a patriotic play rebelling against the Japanese, and it is discovered that she has enormous acting talent. The radical group of rebels running the production, led by the handsome Kuang Yu Min (Lee-Hom Wang), reels her into a dangerous plan to assassinate a Japanese collaborator. Wong's mission is to use her phenomenal acting ability to seduce the traitor Mr. Yee (Tony Leung), a stone-faced, all-business, married man.\nAt a running time of 148 minutes, "Lust" loses some of its initial intrigue a little more than halfway through the film. Still, the interplay between hunter and hunted keeps the viewer engaged, and the actors are convincing in their deceptions. There is absolutely no doubt that Lee is a great filmmaker, paying extraordinary attention to detail and the physical grace of his actors. The sets, wardrobe, and color schemes create a feeling of absolute authenticity in the setting of the film.\n"Lust" is largely a film about playing a role and the difficulties of keeping emotions separate from that role. Even Yee seems to be playing a role, as we see his multifaceted personality reveal itself during the extraordinarily intense, sometimes violent sex scenes. \nWhile the plot may not be entirely believable, the emotions, particularly those of Wong, are. She is torn between her patriotism, her devotion to her comrades and her unavoidable feelings for the target Mr. Yee. Wei Tang's film debut proves her to be similar to her character: an amazing actress. Her confused mental state transfers onto each audience member, causing them to feel the same confusion and mixed feelings toward her mission that she does. \n"Lust, Caution" probably won't ever get the crossover fanfare that Lee's biggest Chinese hit "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" did, but it's definitely worth a look for those searching for a risque and fearless independent picture.