When people asked me what I consider the sexiest film of all times, my answer would be Ang Lee's Lust Caution.
The sex scenes between the newcomer Tang Wei and Tony Leung were so intense and filled with tension that it had me seething through my teeth. It is my moment of "Don't dare talk to me right now. And I won't leave my seat for any other reason that a real wild fire". It is very different from the hollywood type of sexy scenes or the pornography you see in the internet. And these are so publicly available, that the ability of Ang Lee to still put me on the edge of my seat during the entire sex scene just goes to show the genius of Ang Lee.
It is a combination of fear, mystery and thriller that only succeeded in escalating the sexual tension of the scenes between the young naive Wong Chia Chi and the suspicious japanese spy Mr. Yee. In retrospect, this may be the basis of the appeal of BDSM, giving up of control to someone as powerful and masterful as Mr. Yee can be very intoxicating. I was so drawn to the psychological strength of Mr. Yee that I was half imagining the pleasure of being used by him.
The film is set in the picturesque Shanghai during the 1930's when the Japanese has control of China government. Mr. Yee plays the japanese collaborator and Tang Wei plays Wong Chia Chi, a student that was recruited to cast the net around Mr. Yee so they can assassinate him. It's a bold plan and an impossible one. What transpires next was the innocent efforts of the young Wong Chia Chi to entice a worldly man like Mr. Yee. Mr. Yee is not stupid so he took what was offered, quite brutally in fact and left her with not a bid of goodbye. Not to be outwitted, Wong Chia Chi followed him and continued to flirt with her destiny. Soon, even Mr. Yee got entangled to their web of steamy sexual encounters. We catch a glimpse of Mr. Yee's vulnerability when he gifted his young girl with a rare beautiful jewelry. Love is not mentioned but viewers can sense how the cold and strong Mr. Yee is falling for this wisp of a girl. And the girl is not immune too with their frequent encounters and falls hard for Mr. Yee, that in the end cost her life.
Mr. Yee may have lived another day and he even got his expensive jewelry back, but viewers can guess that he is more affected that he cares to admit. And he may not be at the better end of the deal. Afterall, a broken heart is ten times worse than death.
Tony Leung truly delivers in this film. How he was able to project a strong powerful controlled man and yet gradually succumbing to the spell of a young girl gives testament to how great he is as an actor. He is one of the most sensitive actor I've seen on film. His every look draws the audience to second guess what he is conveying. He reveals and yet maintains the mystery of his character.
The press subsequent interviews with Director Ang Lee and their incessant probing on his personal sex life just proves how effective he was in conveying a powerful erotic film. People can't seem to fathom how an ordinary married man like Ang Lee was able to produce a highly arousing film that teases the boundaries of acceptable sex scenes.
I have known people who have watched a hundred porn films and was still moved with this movie. By far, this is the only film that had my dad rushing to Greenhills cinema to catch in the middle of a work day. 
For me its the indie movie 9 songs and Y Tu Mama Tambien that I find as the most erotic movie of all time. Heck 9 songs borders on an X movie but its actually a deep or shall I say profound movie if you'd not focus much on the graphic sex scenes. Hmm shall I say that it should have been a big if **grins** But I must agree that Lust Caution is among my top 10.
ReplyDeleteI think 9 songs is an X movie, coz you can see the actual penetration. I don't like the movie coz I don't understand their separation. They seem to be seriously together, and yet one day the girl just announced she is going back to U.S.. Maybe it's an adult relationship where no commitment is given. But the guy was clearly affected by the girl's insensitivity.
DeleteY Tu Mama Tambien on the other hand was clear fun at the start with those two teenage boys so keen to spill their seeds on whoever is in heat. It was hot and sexy ...... till the two boys kissed each other! I understand how the heat of the moment led these two boys to explore the boundaries of their friendship. But personally, (and this is just me), I just don't dig homosexual relationships. Not even in porn.
If I were to pick one that I think really went all-out as an erotic movie, I would say it's CALIGULA. For one, it has a historical basis that succeeded in applying almost all sexual themes known to man, from orgies to incest. I guess italians were truly very sophisticated and liberal in their approach to sex even centuries ago. I remember on my trip to Pompeii. I was examining a house and I zeroed in on the living room. I was looking at the drawings on the walls of the living room. And there I saw drawings that would put KAMASUTRA to shame. I asked how come there are drawings like this in the living room, and the guide told me, it is to entertain the guests while waiting for the master of the house to appear. At times, they would just have sex with the servants there or with each other to pass the time. And homosexuality, orgies are openly accepted.
I think "In the Realm of the Senses" is one of the most erotic films. The film didn't cast Japanese superstars. I think the director wanted tell the audience erotic sex can be enjoyed by ordinary mortals like you and me. It even shows older people (senior citizens) can enjoy sex. Shades of Garcia's :Love in the Time of Cholera.
DeleteOf course, Y Tu Mama Tambien wanted to inject fun. It's the same element in an Almodovar film.