Lust, Caution

August 1, 2008

Directed by Ang Lee

Turning a storm of controversy into success in 2007, director Ang Lee's (Brokeback Mountain, The Wedding Banquet) first NC-17 rated film follows in his tradition of telling a love story with interwoven complications. Based on a short story by one of China's literary elites, Eileen Chang, Lust, Caution traipses through a provocative tale of espionage, deception and love. Newcomer Tang Wei transforms from the shy and impressionable student, Wong Chia Chi, into the confident seductress, Mai Tai Tai. Set against the backdrop of Japanese-occupied Shanghai in the 1940s, young Chia Chi finds her calling onstage and is drawn into an assassination plot against Mr. Yee (Tony Leung), a known collaborator with the Japanese secret service. Leung's role is a far departure from his previous works as the charismatic love interest. This intricately woven tale clings to these characters as they risk everything to uncover the layers of truth about themselves only to find that contrary to popular belief, the truth does not set you free. DVD bonuses includes a featurette documenting the making-of the film, with interviews with Ang Lee on his casting choices and with the cast and production team. -Jenny Ping

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