MovieChat Forums > Se, jie (2007) Discussion > Ang Lee's best

Ang Lee's best

posted 15 years ago by johnmichael-2
8 replies | jump to latest

I think "Lust, Caution" is Ang Lee's best film to date, keeping in mind I have also watched "Sense and Sensibility," "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," and "Brokeback Mountain."

It took a second viewing for me to decide this. The first time around, I got all the surface stuff, but it wasn't until I watched it again that the complexity of Wong Chai Chi and Yee's love for each other really hit me. Yes, they both loved each other--that I realized upon the first viewing. But seeing it again helped me understand why. And when I understood, the film became vastly more powerful. A harrowing experience! The scenes of intimacy (it short-changes them to merely call them sex scenes) were intensely beautiful, intensely sad, and yet at the same time hard to watch.

Ang Lee has a lot of emotion and compassion in him. It really shows in all his films, but in this one most acutely.

Proud member of SHREWS (Society for the Honor Required of Eyes Wide Shut)

[–] jnagarya-1 15 years ago

Well said.

Watch chapter 16, in which Mak Tai Tai sings the Chinese song (a lovely, wonderful performance in itself!) to Yee. Watch his expressions during her singing of it. And get the sense between the lines of what they mean in what they say to each other. With that song she was saying, "I love you." And he was saying the same to her when he undercuts her sense of being "his" "whore" by saying HE is the whore.

[–] laughinglagomorph 15 years ago

I don't know if I would call it his best - simply because I love his others so much - but this one surprised and captivated me. Beautiful!

[–] msring 9 years ago

Agree with the 'singing moment', the male lead was excellent in this scene... You can really see him falling for her in this touching yet so painful scene.

[–] jnagarya-1 15 years ago

Excellent point about Ang Lee's compassion. It is in all his films (that I've so far seen) -- as example, Jen, in "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" is not initially sympathetic, or likeable; but during the desert scenes we see a likeable, loving side of her. (And note that near the end, when Shu Lien approaches Jen with the sword, Jen actually _kneels_: she had learned much about humility.)

Lee's compassion results in fully rounded characters. The result, with "Lust, Caution," is that Mr. Yee is actually likeable; one sees he can genuinely love, and deserve being loved -- even though he is NOT a good human being.

And that only hints at the complexity of character Lee usually achieves.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] jnagarya-1 15 years ago

I prefer "Ride with the Devil" to "The Ice Storm". (I've not yet been able to engage with "Sense and Sensibility"; it's about mood, though I've come closer to giving it the time it obviously deserves.) Those two are too "American" for my tastes -- though every bit as good as, and then some, American films made by Americans. "Ride with the Devil" in particular has a rare and important take on the Civil War an American might overlook.

I think "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" remains my favorite -- which is surprising, as it isn't my usual fare. And that's in part because -- also surprising -- it has action. But it is as I've noted elsewhere much more than that.

Tonight for the first time I finally watched "Pushing Hands". Though obviously an early effort -- a bit rough and uncertain -- it has Ang Lee's warm humor -- a comedy with serious touches. His usual heart and compassion. And delightful surprises: It's a must see.

I'm not interested in and likely won't see "The Wedding Banquet" and "Brokeback Mountain".

[–] rzajac 9 years ago

Having seen "Eat Drink Man Woman" and "The Wedding Banquet", I'll say that Se, Jie is... certainly up there, with his best.

But... I know what you're getting at. Se, Jie is in a separate class from his "blockbuster" pieces. It really does deserve a heck of a lot more respect than it seemed to get from reviewers and the public. Frankly, I'm a little mystified.

--
And I'd like that. But that 5h1t ain't the truth. --Jules Winnfield

[–] 9 years ago

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