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for larger version       'Lust, Caution' - Lee In Lust
The last film seems to have put him in a bit of a holding pattern, regarding sexual kinkiness. His recent "Lust, Caution," delves deep into the fine line between prurient desire and romantic love. Similar to Paul Verhoeven's "Black Book," it explores this territory using a Mata Hari heroine in a '40s wartime world. The scene is Japanese-occupied Shanghai, where a group of drama students have naive expectations about infiltrating the ruling power. They plan to assassinate Chinese official Mr. Yee (Tony Leung-Chiu-Wai), who is collaborating with the Japanese. The group's main weapon is pretty Wong Chia Chi (Tang Wei), recruited and groomed to become Mr. Yee's mistress. Posing as Mrs. Mak Tai Tai, Wong joins the mah-jongg table with Yee's wife (Joan Chen) and gossipy lady friends. The intrigue moves slowly as the target keeps his guard (and pants) up. However, the plot explodes into David Cronenberg-style "Eastern Promises" gore, when the students attack a suspicious aide to Yee in a bloody stab-fest, resembling Julius Caesar's infamous Ides of March day at the Senate.
Like all of Lee's films, the acting and timed tension contribute to the smooth and silky, captivating cinematic spell. Still, the restraint shown in "Brokeback" is sacrificed, earning "Lust" an NC-17 rating.
Maybe the versatile Lee should move into other movie pastures. Why not try a Disney-type fairy tale or two?
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