Set during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai during WWII, Lust, Caution – from director Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain) – weaves together a story line of delusion and entanglement as a pretty Hong Kong student (Tang Wei) joins a group of resistance radicals in hopes of taking down a powerful political figure, Mr. Yee (Tony Leung).

The group’s plan is to infiltrate Mr. Yee’s inner circle. To do so, they morph into different characters, the most important being Wei’s Mrs. Mak, who, throughout the course of the film, engages in a game of intrigue and espionage as she becomes almost solely responsible for wooing Mr. Yee into a dangerous trap.

While Lust does showcase beautiful cinematography and a moving score, it lacks the emotional punch that has made many of Lee’s other films, particularly Brokeback, so successful.

Grade: B

Lust, Caution releases in select theaters Oct. 5.