Unquestionably graphic and visceral, these scenes are crucial to understanding the shifting emotional dynamics between the characters. Wang Jia-zhi's destructive path is skillfully examined by Lee's meticulous control of the complicated tangle of love, hatred and lust.
While American-born pop star Wang Lee-hom can easily be forgotten with his comparatively bland performance, it is, perhaps, unfair to criticize his performance too sharply considering who he is up against. Novice Tang Wei is pleasantly believable - growing from a shy young woman to a seductress. Leung reminds the audience that he is one of the world's best actors with subtle expressions and nuanced gestures - and delivers emotionally charged moments with precision and (need we say?) passion. Veteran actress Chen also turns in a fine performance, helping to bring to life the social circle that revolves around idle gossip at the mahjong table.
Director Lee's monumental talent lies not only in the diversity of his filmmaking, but his ability to make his characters believable. In the case of Lust Caution, he succeeds in creating a human drama with the rich layers of complicated emotions that typifies Chang's works. Yet to fans of the beloved novelist, no film adaptation can ever perfectly represent the intricate and sublime world of Chang.
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