But Ang Lee's latest film 'Lust, Caution' is all that. And, in an unnerving but arty way, it works. Adapted from a short story by Eileen Chang, Lee's latest masterpiece is anything but short, clocking in a solid two and a half hours.

Set in Hong Kong and Shanghai over a period of four years during World War II, the story looks at an oft-ignored period of history — the Japanese occupation of China.

Wong Chia Chi (Tang Wei) is an idealistic young student who has been left in Hong Kong by an uncaring father who has moved on to start a new life in England. She joins a revolutionary theatre group headed by the charismatic Kuang Yu Min (pop star Wang Leehom) and is soon moving Chinese audiences to tears.

Caught up in their success, the group decides to become real revolutionaries by taking out governmental bigwig and traitor Mr Yee (a chillingly controlled Tony Leung). Wong Chia Chi becomes willing bait by posing as a bored rich married woman, Mrs Mak, in the hopes of seducing Mr Yee.

Their plans are foiled however, when the guarded and cunning Mr Yee moves with his wife to Shanghai. The group disbands, but three years later an impoverished Wong Chia Chi is tracked down by real revolutionaries to reprise her role as Mrs Mak and seduce the now even more paranoid Mr Yee.

The delicate dance around the mahjong table is contrasted with the violent sexual encounters between the two. In an exquisitely deadly game where caution and lust are played in equal measures, both are hunters and hunted. And both get lost in the game of deception.

Visually the film is a feast — meticulous attention to detail, beautiful costumes and great cityscapes are enhanced by cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto's adept touch. Although oddly paced, the film is always under Lee's tight and masterful control as he elicits award-worthy performances from his leads.

The film is as much an uncomfortable exploration of the relationship between sex and violence, the loss of innocence and the fragility of the human psyche as it is an espionage drama. That being said, it's probably not a good choice for a first date or an outing with your grandparents.