Lust Caution
Last night I attended a screening of the new Ang Lee film, Lust Caution, and everything you've heard about it is true.
Yes, Tony Leung plays an older, villainous character in Japan-occupied China. At first the role is not central, but it grows as as Tang Wei's character (who endears herself to him with the goal of assassination) gets closer to him. I've seen dozens of movies starring Leung, and he's been on a roll for the last few years. It's shocking how the actor can come off as totally different in each of his films, not relying on props, makeup, or other gimmicks but expressions, attitude, and timing. Newcomer Tang proves to be a worthy counterpart to Leung in her acting debut as well.
Yes, the movie is NC-17. Tang Wei and Tony Leung really go at it. I read that the Chinese version will have 7 minutes of sex cut out of it--perhaps some bloody knife-stabbing action as well--but not so in the U.S. Directer Ang Lee is a badass who can do what he wants. It's unheard of to release a movie that's more than 2 1/2 hours and NC-17, but Lee can do it because he's a respected artist who has proven that he can get audiences to watch movies that they wouldn't see otherwise.
Yes, the movie is excellent. Lust Caution has epic production value, a compelling script, a memorable cast, and perfect execution. It's not the balls-out nudity that will be remembered, but the intense storytelling, gorgeous cinematography, and complicated themes regarding men and women, politics and friendship, and reality and acting--or perhaps truth and fiction.
Go see this film. It opens in limited release tomorrow.
posted by gr at
10:26 AM
More scoop:
RECORD-BREAKING GROSSES FOR WORLD PREMIERE ENGAGEMENTS IN HONG KONG AND TAIPEI OF ANG LEE’S “LUST, CAUTION,” FOLLOWING BEST PICTURE WIN AT VENICE FILM FESTIVAL
Hong Kong; Biggest September opening-day gross of all time; opened Wednesday, September 26th (with sneaks on Tuesday, September 25th) to gross of HK$3.67 million [equivalent to U.S.$474,000].
Taipei; Biggest non-weekend September single-day gross of all time; opened Tuesday, September 25th (with sneaks on Monday, September 24th) to gross of NT$12.2 million [equivalent to U.S. $371,000]; seventh-highest September single-day gross of all time. The opening numbers exceeded those for director Ang Lee’s previous films Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Brokeback Mountain.
Additional fast facts;
* In Hong Kong and Taipei, the film is being shown unedited (the U.S. theatrical release, MPAA-rated NC-17, version).
* Following the U.S. premiere of Lust, Caution tonight in NYC – with director/producer Ang Lee, writer/producer James Schamus, and actress Tang Wei presenting the film – the domestic release begins Friday, September 28th, at one theater; the exclusive run is at the Lincoln Plaza Cinemas in New York City. Additional U.S. theaters and cities will be added on Friday, October 5th. The U.S. release is of the unedited NC-17 version.
-mw
What a beautiful review. Your writing can be so evocative. I loved your comments about Tony Leung. I have marveled at the range of his performances in the past. Sometimes it's hard to believe it is the same actor. I can't wait to see this film.
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