Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Lust, Caution Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 15, 2008

Winner of the prestigious Golden Lion (Best Film) and Golden Osella (Best Cinematography) awards at the Venice Film Festival, Ang Lee’s “Lust, Caution” (2007) follows the story of a young student who becomes involved in a torrid affair with a high-ranking Chinese official working for Shanghai’s Japanese rulers during WW2. Carefully observed, sensual and unexpectedly explicit, the film has generated a great deal of controversy amongst moralist watchdogs who have repeatedly demanded, and failed, to have it censored. This Blu-ray release features the original, fully uncut, 157-minute version of the film.

Japanese-occupied Shanghai, 1942.

Mrs. Mak Tai Tai (Tang Wei) has infiltrated the home of a Chinese official (Tony Leung) who works for the Japanese forces in Shanghai. She is routinely reminded that regardless of what it takes to get closer to him her mission must succeed. Slowly but surely Mrs. Mak Tai Tai begins to seduce her target hoping that he would succumb to her veiled provocations.

And he does. At first reluctantly, studying Mrs. Mak Tai Tai's every move, Mr. Yee begins to respond. But as Mrs. Mak Tai Tai prepares to make her decisive move, the target shockingly announces that he is leaving the area.

Earlier. Before Mrs. Mak Tai Tai is seen getting close to Mr. Yee, we learn how she became part of the Resistance. Through her friend Lai (Chu Tsz-ying), Wong Chia Chi, who will later on become Mak Tai Tai, is introduced to a group of students preparing to stage a patriotic play. The same group will later on plan the assassination of the collaborator Mr. Yee.

As the story progresses, Mrs. Mak Tai Tai and Mr. Yee embark on a secret rendezvous. And the more the two succumb to their carnal desires, the more Mrs. Mak Tai Tai finds it impossible to resist Mr. Yee's dominating character. She falls hard for him and jeopardizes her mission.

On a mission

It is somewhat ironic that much of the publicity Lust, Caution received since it won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival last year has very little to do with its story, performances, and script execution. Ang Lee’s film has been making the headlines around the world because a few minutes of explicit sex apparently were controversial enough to overshadow everything else the film has to offer. As a result in the US the MPAA provided the dreaded NC-17 tag and Focus Features, the film’s distributor, caved in.

So how explicit was the sex? Frankly, it is nothing to fume about and the more I keep coming back to the story the more I fail to see why this turned out to be such an issue. Yes, the scenes in question do offer a bit of steamier than usual action but to place Lust, Caution next to Inside Deep Throat (2005) is way over the line. And this is all I have to say about the MPAA and their decision.

Lust, Caution is a film that takes a long time to link the scattered bits of its story. It is slow and intentionally protracted requiring the viewer to weed out the important from the unimportant. Not surprisingly, Ang Lee’s fractured storytelling is at times quite misleading. It takes a bit of time to understand where the story is heading but once everything falls into place the film maintains a consistent tempo.

Other critics have attempted to draw parallels between Ang Lee’s equally “controversial” Brokeback Mountain (2005) and Lust, Caution, suggesting that this is the director’s logical hetero-sexual answer to his Oscar-nominated film. I am unsure what the questions were that needed answering, but to even assume that there is any connection between the two films, direct or indirect, is flat-out wrong. Lust, Caution wasn’t created to exonerate anyone or anything, and the farther such impure thoughts are kept, the easier it would be for you to appreciate its beautiful story.

Lust, Caution Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 and granted a 1080p transfer, Ang Lee's Lust, Caution is released on Blu-ray via Edko Video.

The presentation is rock-solid. Detail is marvelous, contrast is exceptional, and I could not spot any traces of digital manipulations. Those of you who have already viewed Lust, Caution on DVD should easily recognize the improved depth and clarity. The color scheme is near perfect -- the primaries are lush, rich, and very nicely balanced. Image stability is outstanding as well. There are no scratches, cuts, blemishes, or other similar imperfections.

Lust, Caution Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

This Blu-ray disc has three audio tracks: Mandarin: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, Mandarin: LPCM 7.1, and Mandarin: Dolby Digital 6.1. I experimented with the DTS-HD mix as well as the LPCM track, and depending on what hardware you have at home, I suggest that you opt for the DTS-HD Master mix. It is incredibly potent, very nicely mixed, and expertly balanced. The beautiful soundtrack by Alexandre Desplat comes off the speakers with a notable clarity allowing the viewer to fully embrace the period ambience of the film. The DTS-HD Master mix makes it particularly easy to appreciate the delicate classical tunes, and especially during the second half of the film, when the passion between the two lovers begins growing roots, the music complements the story very well. Optional Korean, Traditional Chinese, and English subtitles are provided.

Lust, Caution Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Aside from the theatrical trailer, TV spots, and a photo and poster gallery, the Blu-ray disc offers an interesting featurette titled Tiles of Deception, Lust Affections. In it Ang Lee offers his thoughts on the film's production history, the manner in which it was constructed, and message. Executive producer James Schamus, cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, producer Bill Kong, Tony Leung as well as other cast and crew members also add to Ang Lee's comments. The featurette is in English with optional English, Traditional Chinese, and Korean subtitles. A mini-poster is included as well.

Lust, Caution Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A moving period drama with plenty of zest and eroticism, Lust, Caution is a spectacle for the senses. Beautifully photographed, bold, and stylishly-provocative, this is the type of cinema a lot of serious film aficionados have been waiting to make its way to Blu-ray, and suffice to say, this handsomely produced disc is the total package. If you want to own Lust, Caution in the best possible presentation, look no further. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.