Film review is “Lust Caution” essay
The film under review is “Lust Caution” (2007) directed by Ang Lee. This film is hard to be called the real heritage of world cinema, however, it is still remains the subject of hot debates. Being a highly controversial erotic drama, the “Lust Caution” indirectly addresses numerous relevant psychological and sociological issues. Probably, the theme of gender is sexuality is central among others. Ang Lee, as the director of the movie sees its strength in the ability to endow strong, cruel and muscular War with tiny and sensitive feminine undertone. Seemingly, this goal was reached by the film maker totally. In this paper, we are going to discuss how the “Lust Caution” film sets up question of gender and sexuality, considering the entire plot, played roles, and style of performance.
The “Lust Caution” acquaints us two main characters. The first of them is Chia Chi, a shy, naive student of Lingnan University. The second is Mr. Yee, an agent of the puppet government set up by the Japanese Government in China. The action takes place in occupied by Japan China, during the years 1938-1942.In Hong Kong Chia Chi joins patriotic drama club, where she met fellow student Kuang Yu Min. This guy became the leader and founder of Mr. Yee assassination plan, where Chia Chi took the role of Mrs. Mak who had to get engaged into affair with the target. To get prepared to lustful relations, the virgin Chia Chi sleeps with another fellow resistance fighter. Being close to the aim, the plan of assassination as Mr. Yee moved to Shanghai suddenly. The resistance fighters group re-new their intentions in few years, and Chia Chi gets what she aimed initially. The relationships between Mr. Yee and Chia Chi are full of controversies and passion. Eventually, at the last moment the woman warns Mr. Yee about so close threat. He saves his live, but Chia Chi as well as other resistance fighters were sentenced to death.
In fact, mentioned brief summary of the plot is not capable to bring the comprehensive depth of the movie under review. Seemingly, there are two main points to talk about in the aspect of given assignment. The first of them are used erotic elements to address the theme of sexuality. The second is the character of Chia Chi, which is useful to think about the gender issue in the film. Seemingly it is appropriate to begin with the erotic scenes which are considered the main distinctive feature of “Lust Caution”. Let’s remind that this movie has NC-17 ranking in the U.S.A. and this fact doesn’t seem surprising considering the amount of sexual content. It is curious that some critics still call to the question the artificial nature of sex scenes used in the films. Herewith, it worth being mentioned that the unprecedented amount of hot erotic did not make the film vulgar or obscene. Mr. Yee and Chia Chi allowed us to enjoy unbelievable performance, which fully address the multi – faceted nature and depth of sexuality. The sex scenes between the pair of them are about as graphic as can be imagined outside explicitly porn-inspired companies. This couple adopts shapes and positions that would startle the compilers of the Kama Sutra. It’s rightly erotic, but, the sex embodies the complex, shifting and ambiguous dynamics of their relationship. In this regard, we may remind relationships development between main characters. The passion of sexual acts totally matches the mood of couple, the growth of ties to each other. Thereby, the growing reflecting also found its place in bed of the couple. In this order, the sexuality serves as the mirror of spiritual and mental connection. At second, erotic scenes in “Lust, Caution” are much deeper than just sexual acts. Obviously, they raise the passion, however, they also allow to think about numerous issues. Probably, the most revealing is the scene of first sexual experience between Mr. Yee and Chia Chi. The first time they sleep together, Yee is so violent it seems like rape. We wonder: has he rumbled her true identity and is now punishing her? Is this the repressed, vicious carnality that underlies his official demeanour? We also wonder: will she cry out and confess? Is she going to die? Is she actually enjoying it? It’s rare that a sex scene at the movies can sustain responses more conflicting and interesting than: was it a turn-on? In this aspect, the sexuality is able to share the feelings, fears, and even thoughts of the characters. In this way, the sexuality according to Ang Lee is unprecedented art solution, which is difficult to be repeated with extraordinary deep emotional baggage.
The issue of gender in “Lust Caution” can be addressed from different point of views. However, the character of Chia Chi looks to be the most interesting in the aspect of noted discussion. Seemingly, this character is in much applicable to the women’s nature in general. Chia Chi is a person of contrasts, the person ruled by emotions. Chia Chi is a symbol of women’s ability to live with the contradictions. Unconsciously, Chia Chi gets the perfect balance between hate and love to Mr. Yee. Her feelings are hard to be described. They are the product of everyday experience which adds the emotional state of the woman with new inner hardships. The character of Chia Chi has lost the line between adherence and affection. Moreover, the first one gives the birth to her strong feeling of love. The apogee of internal controversies is reached with own sacrifice is the name of Mr. Yee salvation. The secrecy and emotionality of female’s nature is probably the core point to talk about the females’ gender issue in “Lust, Caution”. At second, we cannot leave aside the theme of lie. In fact, it became the background to Mr. Yee and Chia Chi’s relationships. The sense of lie permeates the whole nature of couple’s connection. It brings the sense of tension, passion and already noted secrecy. Herewith, it is tangible to both parties what endows the story with unbelievable zest. Seemingly, the filmmakers also have drawn the lines between their heroes and regular couples’ relationships. Lie is often irreplaceable in strong connection between men and women. Obviously, the level of it is typically different from tension showed in “Lust caution”, however, some sort of innuendo is inherent always.
At the end, it should be stated that “Lust Caution” is extremely multifaceted and deep art work. Different people can treat it differently however no one will object its outstanding style. As for me, the film under review is the product of strong emotional content. It is really unique with the way to express complexity and multi – faceted nature of relationships between males and females. Probably, at first the erotic was used not only in purpose of passion sense sharing. It is also the tool to display the mood of genders emotional connection. In this regard, the lust is not just some kind of physical pleasure and excitement. It serves as the mirror of relationships’ highly emotional and complicated meaning, including all, even the most intimate sides. In addition, “Lust Caution” is extremely useful to get the understanding of females’ inconsistency which is often leaded by some unknown internal power. The character of Chia Chi is the symbiosis of women’s complicated and confusing inner world. Herewith, we get one more confirmation of females’ unconditional dedication and commitment which is often hard to be understood or explained. Eventually, the term “Lust” has lost its initial meaning of intense sexual desire. It is more like a unique human’s state of mind which is hard to be explained from rational point of view. It is all about feelings and emotions which often are out humans’ control and understanding.
