

In case you are waiting ... I APOLOGIZE ...
Actually, I have already written my views about what I think is lost ...
I have also talked to my good friend about it today ...

(1) What is lost ...
My friend convinced me that even if my conjectures were correct, 
my case would be more compelling if I had watched the unedited version. 
Hence, I apologize that I would like to procrastinate my posting on what have been LOST ...

Frankly, a review of the EDITED version would NOT do the film justice ... 
So, I shall refrain from a review of the EDITED version too ...

(2) Appreciation by the East vs the West
IMHO, the film can be better appreciated by the Chinese community rather than the Western community ... at least the reviews from online/newspappers seem to reflect this too ... most Chinese media give a majority POSITIVE review, whereas the Western media (at least in United States) tend to give a more divisive view, with some claiming it be excellent and others claiming it to be boring ... (mainly blaming the slow pace and lack of plot) ... 

I personally think the Chinese appreciate it differently because of cultural and linguistic differences ... 
e.g., there are several great lines/puns/nuances/subtlety delivered ... I would have to rewatch to remember all, but here is a few (not exhaustive) ...

(a) The title, "Se Jie" (Lust Caution)
... "Jie" also means the ring ... 
... the wedding ring that makes and breaks everything ...

(b) The game of mahjong
... (some critics claim that it drags down the intro);
however, it is an impt intro to the entire film (i.e., both culturally and thematically) ... why?! 
apart from being the favorite past time of these ladies in those period, it is also a game of 
... skill vs luck (plotting vs opportunity)
... short term sacrifice over long term victory 
... monitoring vs being monitored
... calculating, pretending, deceiving, etc ...

(b) Beginning conversation ... "Chi Chu" (eating vinegar), "Chi Dou Fu" (eating tofu)
... the former also means to be jealous
... the latter also means to take advantage of woman

(c) Ending conversation ... "Bu Chi La De Zhe Me Hu De Chu La Zi" ... (refering to eating hot spicy Hunan dishes) (the last line delivered) ...
Allow my freedom with interpretation/expression, it could also mean if you dare not take risk/chance with life, how can you gain/succeed? 

(3) Black Book (Netherlands) vs Lust Caution (Taiwan)
Apart from a slight similarity (i.e., getting close and sleeping with the enemy during times of war), I think it is rather unwise/unfair to compare Black Book with this film. why? 

-- I humbly think the former does "thrill/chill" as a plot driven film ... i.e., the soundtrack and the pacing is very captivating (esp. if you are more accustomed to watching Hollywood kind of thriller)

-- The latter however thrives and succeeds in bringing out the complexity in humans, emotions and events ... instead of plot driven, it is more concerned about various issues ... from the personal to the political ... in particular, I think it probes one to think ... 
aren't MANY THINGS in life rather GRAY
(i.e., they are not as clear cut as you want it to be) ...

e.g., love or lust?
e.g., heaven or hell?
e.g., prey or predator? * the line is thin * 
e.g., personal or patriotism?
e.g., power or politics?
e.g., control or controlled?
e.g., rational or emotional?
e.g., male vs female?
etc

rgds
hengcs