i read a reviewer who say this film be neither thrill nor sexy . i disagree . 1. it be a remarkable piece of chinese film noir with all of the attendant censorship and governmental intrusion which typify how that government rate and support such film . regardless of how famous a director be and it be still a laborious exercise in lavishly fawning over and entertain bureaucrat 2. i have many nc 17 rat film which i buy because of the hype and controversy yet i do not focus solely on the sexual theme a i do on why the mistress or assassin revel in the relationship and and secondly and why the mistress or assassin symptomatically betray the resistance at the slip of a lavish piece of ice . i think that the agent provocateur stay because she need to . she be a sponge to a handsome and mercurial official who exhibit confidence and certainty and vulnerability . these quality be powerful to woman . she also continue because her involvement become pivotal to the success of the operation and i believe that she enjoy her status within the cell . the way that they hang on her every word . perhaps and too and she secretly enjoy the position of privilege in a city which be rife with poverty and struggle and destitution . he stay because she represent a simpler and bygone era of woman who do not question but comply . she be for him the ideal woman coquettish and sublime and and indifferent to his business . her betrayal be symptomatic of all people infer that everyone have a price . her price be the rock although she know that in do so would risk the life of her compatriot . it be and i say and symptomatic because it seem that woman become weak at the sight of jewelry . a for the sexual encounter i understand why it be necessary . both principal have terrifyingly dangerous job . she and avoid exposure . he and separate his domestic civility with the incongruous terror of kill . therein lie the tension . he for collaborate and revile his duty and she for desire the encounter and fulfil her patriotic duty . the sexual intimacy be a way to vent pent up and primal energy a both principal be involve in savage and indifferent occupation . in the same way that the well to do go to be dominate at niche club for a fee . i do not like the chronological disruption also . i also felt that ang lee select the right actress . she be adorable in the fedora and flapper esquire hat and period dress . with the short bobbed hair and the cherubic and youthful appeal i felt that she fit seamlessly . it be the sex that retail the movie but it be the story which frame it .