103 out of 114 people found the following review helpful:

Far too slow paced!

A Customer from SW London, 21st January, 2008

I have to say I find listening to Chinese grating to hear for too long, but I decided to endure this and the length of this really long film because the trailer looked promising. The story of this film would have been the type to really grip me, but I confess something was missing in the film so in the end it just didn't do it for me. I guess because I was never convinced of the main actress' motivation to going to such extreme lengths to be so patriotic. In most parts the scenes were far too drawn out and slow paced. The sexual scenes were very realistic and very well acted out, and the acting from the actors were flawless, however I would have preferred to have seen the film acted in English. The story is a good one, so worth a watch. Just be aware that it's rather slow paced and unnecessarily longer than the average film.

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53 out of 54 people found the following review helpful:

Please watch this!

Filmie from , 11th December, 2007

I must admit that I did not think much of Ang Lee's other films (eg. Crouching Tiger, Sense and Sensibility), but this defied my expectations. Very layered characters, making you identify with all of them, very nuanced performances and great acting and pace! Though longer than usual at 2.5hrs, you wouldn't feel bored! Highly recommended!

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46 out of 46 people found the following review helpful:

Love & war

chungking from from London, 5th January, 2008

A war time drama set during the Japanese occupation of China in the 1940’s. A group of Chinese students decide to form as a resistance to Japanese occupation. They target a high ranking Chinese collaborator Mr Yee, (Tony Leung), and their plan is for a young woman in their group, Wang Jiazhi (Wei Tang), to seduce him, though she has not had a lover before. Their plan fails and they disband, but are re-united three years later, now part of a larger resistance group, and with Wang Jiazhi’s help, have another chance to kill Mr. Yee. But when Wang Jiazhi starts a relationship with Mr Yee, the two of them get caught up in the intensity of their emotions. A mature, measured, slow burning emotional espionage thriller. Like ‘Brokeback Mountain, Ang Lee’s characters are imbued with love’s frailties and creeping emotional frustration. They all reach a point where in-decision, usually due to feelings they don’t want to acknowledge, costs them dear. A great film. Would make a good double bill with Paul Verhoeven's Black Book.

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42 out of 42 people found the following review helpful:

Amazing performances

A Customer from Windermere, 22nd January, 2008

This film is beautifully shot, plotted and acted. Newcomer Wei Tang puts in a bravura performance as the young Chinese agent in WW11, while superstar Tony Leung broods better than ever as the powerful collaborator she aims to destroy. It seems that the pair's powerful mutual attraction will inevitably be the downfall of one of them but if so, who will it be? This film has been criticised for being slow, and at 2.5 hours I can see that some people would find it hard going. But for me, the characters' behaviour can only really be understood in the context of the gradual build up of tension, as the both fear and attraction grow. The graphic violence in one scene is quite disturbing, but I think violence really ought to be. It also brings home very effectively what's really at stake in this cat and mouse game. Much has also been made of the sex in this film, but if that's why you're renting it you'll have a long wait. When it does come it is very explicit, but not gratuitous. Again, it's essential to show how passionately the characters feel about one another in order to explain their behaviour beyond the bedroom and drive the plot forward. A bang up supporting cast helps to bolster the impression that these two characters are trapped by circumstances. And in the case of Wei Tang in particular, she's merely a pawn in a much bigger game . Want to know if it's for you? If you saw and enjoyed the Dutch film, Black Book, this is even better.

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A thrilling thriller

A Customer from London, 17th March, 2010

If artful cinematic language with moody lighting turns you on, then this film will not disapoint. The story builds up very nicely, and good acting.

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Confusing international intrigue

Picaro from , 16th March, 2010

I found the machinations of spies and secret service confusing-perhaps because it is not my 'genre'. Sinister scenes, with menaces that were not always clear. Not the 'lust' you might fear; danger is present, and some will find the menacing atmosphere thrilling.

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Moving Well Directed War Movie

A Customer from Reading, 4th March, 2010

I don't mind a slow story if it is a good one and this is very good indeed. A few cultural differences to get to grips with, but that all adds to the interest. No gratuitous violence although does not pull any punches either.

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Lust, Caution

Evenstar2009 from , 19th January, 2010

Really enjoyed this film although was a bit slow to get going. Some gratuitous sex scenes in it that go on a bit too long. Quite poignant towards the end.

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