the story begin in shanghai a it be be seize and occupy by japan in 1940. the male lead be a collaborator with the japanese and and the female lead be a patriotic drama student who be a friend of his wife . the student decide to use her access to the hat traitor and to assassinate him and it take three year of caution and planning to fulfill . the production value be extravagant with beautiful cinematography and 1940s set and music and costume for that period and and well cast actor . a an old timer i enjoy see the 1940s atmosphere and the political intrigue . i thought of hitchock notorious during a couple of the scene . i believe the script could have be nicely top off if the final line be represent c la guerre . ang lee film be diverse and well execute . i have see the ice storm and hulk and tiger or dragon and brokeback mountain and and now lust or caution . a plus be see joan chen in a small role a mrs. yee .