Lust, Caution (2007)

DVD CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  157 Minutes

Rated: 18

Genre: Adult, Drama, History

Director: Ang Lee

Starring: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Tang Wei, Joan Chen, Leehom Wang, Tsung-Hua Tou, Zhi-Ying Zhu, Ying-Hsuan Kao

IMDB Rank: 7.5/10

Part 1 Time:  70 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  87 Minutes

Where does the first part end? While preparing to disband, Wong Chia Chi (Tang Wei) and her group are confronted by Mr. Yee’s armed subordinate who is aware of the honey trap plot. Following a violent struggle, Wong Chia Chi runs off leaving the group.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “He’s still alive!” Lai Shu Jin (Zhi-Ying Zhu) states as Mr. Yee’s armed subordinate continues to move following a violent struggle.

First line of dialogue on the second part: It is now three years later in Shanghai. Wong Chia Chi stands in line for her daily rice ration. Someone in the crowd shouts “It’s open, it’s open.”

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Jarring, with Mr. and Mrs. Yee moving back to Shanghai, Wong Chia Chi and her group have no hope of finishing their mission. Will Mr. Yee’s armed subordinate murder cause the group be discovered and arrested?

Which part is better? Part two is significantly better as Wong Chia Chi becomes a member of the KMT resistance and reignites her relationship with Mr Yee (Tony Leung Chiu-wai). As the relationship becomes more serious Wong Chia Chi struggles with the moral dilemma of love or duty.

Academy Awards: None