Lust, Caution. No sex?

Reporter, Alice Zhao, explores the taboo behind Director Ang Lee’s latest film, "Lust, Caution."

Oh yes. The movie title has almost become synonymous with sex. However, the film was stripped of that selling point when it came to Singapore. As an attempt at censorship (a poor attempt, mind you), the film’s flow has been disrupted. Yes, I know you readers have probably heard this millions of times, but I simply cannot even begin to stress how badly the movie is affected by the removed scenes. The transitions between some scenes were so choppy that I could clearly tell where the scene was cut. It is IMMENSELY disturbing to be viewing a sensual scene one moment and hear the screeching of the geisha (more like a banshee) the next moment.

I must admit that Lust, Caution was much better than expected though. Apparently, I underestimated Ang Lee. I should’ve known better, with him winning an Oscar for Brokeback Mountain. Set in Japanese-occupied Shanghai in 1942, the film accurately captures the Chinese cultural context of 1940s: the slow pace, old Shanghai, mahjong, hatred, love, loneliness and the souls of patriotic students and traitors.

However, in my opinion, actor Wang Lee Hom looks distinctly out of place in the movie. Can you blame me? I find it highly challenging to connect the modern singer to the passionate, politically inclined rebel on screen. Die-hard fans though, would claim that this is an example of his artistic flexibility shining through. Well, to each his own, I guess.

On the other hand, the female lead, Tan Wei (as Wong Chia Chi) skillfully portrayed every nuance of emotion in her character. Even though her character does not speak much, the audience is able to detect her every change of expression and from there, infer how she feels in that situation. In fact, my impression of Mr Yee (Tony Leung) changes along with her's.

On a whole, "Lust, Caution" could be summed up in one sentence by a critic: "The film is never less than beautiful, but it's never truly absorbing."

By Alice Zhao