Warning: If you haven't seen this movie and have all intention to do so, stop reading. Most likely, I would be talking about uber spoilers.
When I first saw the preview as Ang Lee's next foray after Brokeback Mountain, I've got to see this movie. I am a big Ang Lee fan since the Wedding Banquet fame. They could have just put the name Ang Lee and I am sold to watch it.
The story revolves with a girl trying to trap a high stationed Chinese official in 1942 Shanghai. She was able to get access to him through his wife. Her purpose was to get him on a position that he would be vulnerable on an assassination. As the affair goes on, she in turn fell for him.
First, I was rooting on the female lead Mak Tai Tai on her quest to trap her prey, Mr. Yee. It happened that it was meant to be since she was able to get his attention without even trying. She seem to know how to manipulate him till the first sex scene. From there, it made an odd turn and it was a quick one that you won't even what happened.
Second, as the movie went on, I felt more attracted to Mr. Yee. I want the affair between them to ensue. His character seem detached but that is probably the attraction, you want what you can't have. He also has a face that you won't note as good looking but as you keep on staring at him, the charm suddenly creeps in.
Mak Tai Tai fell in love with him that she gave herself away. She had the opportunity to take her life before she gets caught but hesitated. Did she hoped that Mr. Yee would save her? If Mr. Yee helps her then he would compromise his position. He is more ambitious than that. If he love her more than life then it is the decision he has to take. He selfishly chose to be alive.
From all those graphic sexual scene, this the only subdued or much more of a tender moment for the two. It also the only moment that they were intimately talking. They looked relaxed. The detached Mr. Yee has shown emotion, a rare glimpse of his humanity.
The sex scenes were so graphic that you would doubt that it is all acting. Those scene seem to be real. There is in no way those can be camera tricks. Hmm, maybe I should re watch it again. :)
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