Se, Jie (2007)

Too much has already been written on the explicit sex found in Ang Lee's latest tortured love story, Lust, Caution. True to form, Lee has created another story that explores the gambit of human emotion, but just barely.

Set in occupied Shanghai during WWII, young drama student Wang Jiazhi (Tang Wei) becomes swept up in dangerous game of emotional espionage and personal intrigue with the enigmatic political figure Mr. Yee (Tony Leung).

I hesitate to say more. Director Ang Lee uses their sexual relationship metaphorically for what happens outside the bedroom. Although Lee successfully examines lust and caution, we never really have more than a mere character study on our hands.

Sleeping with the enemy takes on new connotations thanks to the leads. Tang Wei portrays Jaizhi as the ideological student that evolves to wield her sexual power. Leung is the mysterious sadistic figure who slowly loses control. The emotion behind these powerful and intricately layered performances unfolds slowly, leaving us all exhausted.

For this viewer, Lust, Caution eventually crossed the line of analogy and became voyeuristic in nature. If I may be so bold, the film would have benefited from more exploration outside the bedroom. Sadly, the movie's climax is not nearly as powerful as the one in the bedroom.

Regardless, Lee has another top-crotch, er, top-notch masterpiece on his hands that will be debated (and decried) for years to come.