There's an old cliche about actresses getting interviewed about nudity and saying that they will do it if it's essential to the plot. And everybody laughs because when is nudity ever essential to the plot rather than a pleasing piece of titillation to tide you through the movie? Answer: in Ang Lee's incredible new film, 'Lust Caution'. I have never seen such explicit sex in a film, equally I have never felt so strongly that every frame of it was essential to the story. And titillating? Only if you're the kind of person who enjoys googling beheadings. This is the only time that I have seen sex on screen depicted in all its true complexity and intensity, albeit from a very dark place. This is the kind of thing that the term "adult movie" should really describe: a true film for adults, exceptionally bravely acted by Tony Leung and Tang Wei, and directed with such skill by Lee that it knocks Brokeback Mountain into a cocked (so to speak) hat. Be warned however that it is very upsetting, very long and absolutely the worst possible thing you could go to on a first date. I'd post the trailer here but it is about the least accurate depiction of a film I have ever seen while still being cut from the same scenes.
On a personal note, could I just add that I might have enjoyed this film even more had the woman sitting next to me not taken *two* mobile phone calls during it?
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