一 : 《色戒》影评
这部电影改编自著名作家张爱玲于1950年居于上海时所著的同名短篇小说，影片以上世纪40年代抗日战争时期的上海为背景，讲述女大学生王佳芝（汤唯饰）利用美色接近汉奸易先生（梁朝伟饰）意图行刺的故事；佳芝成功勾引易先生并准备下手时，却发现自己已动真情，于是通风报信让易先生逃过一劫，易先生却决定赶尽杀绝。
《色戒》影评:一滴水如何流入大海？
将一部电影静静看过多遍，数度提笔又原样放下，这样的情形于我确实少见，《色戒》就是这样一部令我回味许久的影片。
故事发生在清澈空灵的喜马拉雅。
影片主人公达西是一位禀赋极高的年轻僧人。在经过三年与世隔绝的闭关清修后，达西受到了令人尊敬的温普利活佛的赏识，他的僧侣生涯似乎前途无限光明，但一次丰收节中偶遇母亲哺乳孩子的生动场景，却令正值青春期的达西开始重新思索自己的人生。
达西的师傅阿普是个温和睿智的僧人，他希望能用自己的经验和学识挽救心爱的弟子，但一番激烈的争论后，阿普黯然接受了达西在一个漆黑的深夜离开寺庙，褪下僧袍还俗入世，去寻求人生的真谛。
达西找到了珍爱，他与妻子琵玛生有一子并彻底忘弃了曾经的僧侣生活。他种地、贩粮、通奸、斗殴，简直不似一个受过十多年佛法熏陶、教化之人。在达西眼中，亲人、情人和亲情都是那样真实而又虚幻，一次无意中聆听到琵玛和儿子富有哲理的对话竟然也是似曾相识，却又无动于衷。这时的达西已经忘记了自己和师傅曾经的争论：
生命中，是否有些事情必须经历？放弃的前提是否是必须曾经拥有？而由此引申出的另外一个问题更是充满挑战－－当站在放弃的崖边，一切是否还能潇洒从容？
影片从始至终只是提出问题而没有答案，最后结尾部分达西撕心裂肺的绝望哭嚎更是将所有的悬疑都留给了观者。
有位网友这样评论，说这是一部深邃的影片，没有阅历、不懂人生或不懂佛法的人难以理解。这样讲似乎有些言重，但据说《色戒》的导演是一位印裔法国人，他为拍摄本片准备的时间长达七年。有评论说，《色戒》讲的是现世——不管寺院内外。一方面是僧人达西的故事，另一方面则是他妻子琶玛的故事，她虽然身在尘世，却有圣人般的心灵。一言蔽之，或生活，或遁世，或二者兼备。驾驭这样一明一暗两条线索，眼前这部影片也确实证明了编导的深厚功力。
在影片开头部分，当时达西刚结束静修，在一干僧人的簇拥下返回寺院途中，他见到一块石头上刻着这样一句话：怎样令一滴水不会干涸？同他一样，我初看此片时也仅限于一时的好奇未加在意，但看完整部影片后再回想这个问题，答案却绝非片尾揭开的谜底那样简单：
让它流入大海。
这是一个看似正确的答案，但人生多劫，一滴水即便参透了自己的命运，但哪里才有大海？一滴水怎样才能最终流入大海？人生的真谛到底为何？是满足眼前一千个欲望，还是战胜内心一个欲念？
一部电影竟能引发如此深邃的思考，这样的影片真是回味悠长。
最厉害的《色戒》影评
影片上映后，中国的观众似乎对《色戒》中的“色”字更感兴趣，网络上的铺天评论也大多围绕着色字大作文章。
有观众甚至表示，在广电总局的大剪刀咔嚓咔嚓之后，《色戒（www.61k.com］》已了无观赏的价值。还有法律专家表示要跟广电总局打官司，因为广电总局咔嚓掉了几场动作难度系数2.6的床戏。
《色戒》真的只是个***该处文字被替换***吗？这有辱张爱玲和李安两位不同时代的华语艺术大师的英名。
我来逆势挡潮，谈一谈我对《色戒》的理解。
第一节：片名释义
正确理解该片，要把色和戒两个字都完整吃透。
色字不说了。
谈戒。
戒的本意是动词。看看字典上的解释：会意。小篆字形,上面是“戈”,下面象两只手(即“廾”)。两手持戈,表示戒备森严。本义:警戒,戒备。
看来《色戒》的英语片名翻译成lust caution是很合适的。戒，在本片中，就是警戒的意思。
所以，在我看来，《色戒》除了是个爱情片或“***该处文字被替换***”（色），还是个警匪片或悬疑片（戒）。
本文重点谈谈后者，从悬疑片和警匪片的角度来看《色戒》。
戒，还是个名词，就是戒指。鸽子蛋在本片中是个重要的道具，直接影响到了故事的发展和结局。此为后话。
第二节：历史拂尘
据说，本片已经送到奥斯卡评委会，参与部分奖项的角逐。我很是担心。不是担心本片的艺术价值，而是担心本片的复杂历史背景老外是否能看懂。
本片的故事发生在两个地点和两个时间。
1939年的香港和1942年的上海。
当时的中国版图上的政治势力繁多，主要的势力有3家，日本占领军和汪领导的“伪”国民政府（日汪合流，汪是傀儡）和蒋领导的国民政府（国共合作，八路军是蒋的编制），此外还有东北的伪满洲国。
1939年，日军早已打通京汉线，广州沦陷。香港尚中立，在英国人的控制下。汪伪政府还没成立。影片的回忆部分发生在中立的香港。王佳芝和邝是迁到香港的岭南大学的学生。易先生是汪的手下，负责香港地区的特工工作。
1942年，日军已和美军开战，战局日下。香港沦陷。易先生是汪伪政府的特工总部部长。王佳芝和邝等是重庆方面军统的特工，受老吴指挥。指挥老吴的应该是戴笠。
第三节：无间道版《色戒》
明线：蒋的军统特工王佳芝负责刺杀汪的特工头目易先生。王爱上了易，受色和利（钻戒）的诱惑，临时叛变，放过了易。事败后，易杀了王。
暗线：本文的重点。
在香港的第一次接触时，易就发现王是特工。刺杀行动因故未果。
三年后，在上海，时局大变，日军每况愈下。在重庆特工老吴的安排下，易与重庆联手。易先生实际上是个双重间谍。作为交易，重庆方面将易从暗杀名单上去除，而易则隐瞒了军火下落的情报。
王和易再次见面后，易依然怀疑王是特工，几次交锋后（包括床上），易排除了王的嫌疑。双方坠入爱河。
张秘书表面上是汪的特工，实际上是日军特工机构宪兵队的卧底。
易和重庆的特殊关系被张秘书发现。
邝不顾老吴的禁令，在爱情的力量下，执意刺杀易。邝的刺杀小组中被张秘书安插了卧底（最后逃脱的枪手），刺杀行动计划泄露，邝等人被捕被杀。
第四节：未尽的结局
影片在易杀王后噶然而止，留给观众无限的想象空间。
日军宪兵队已经知道了易和重庆的关系，取消了和他的约会。影片交待，刺杀案的次日，宪兵队总部的三浦要过问军火下落的问题。此外，张秘书已经掌握了他和王的秘密。
易先生能逃过此劫吗？
等待他的是死刑吗？
第五节：答疑
问：为什么说“在香港的第一次接触时，易就发现王是特工”？
答：
1.易是特工专家，行为极为谨慎（出入家门的速度，拉窗帘等），王的小伎俩逃不过易的敏锐眼光。
2.裁缝店：易问裁缝问题，发现裁缝的神色不对。
3.咖啡店（香港）：王的酒杯上留下口红印。易接着说，只要留意，没有什么事是小事。
杯口留下口红印，就说明王用的是低价的口红，与其商人太太的身份不符。
4.易又接着问：你不害怕吗？显然他在试探王的反映.
5.王打麻将总输，也引起易的怀疑。
问：易在外面有没有其他女人？
答：有。麻将桌上的马太太就是他的情人。几个女人打麻将时，她的神色不对，尤其是易在场的时候。她手上的戒指很有可能也是易买的。
片中交待，重庆方面派出的美女间谍已有两个了，都被发觉，被害。他在外面搞女人不是第一次了。
问：易太太是否知道易的私生活？
答：很有可能。
1.易夫妇无子女，很有可能是易太太无生育能力。她放任老公乱搞。
2.在香港时，片中交待易太太很有察言观色的眼光，她能猜出邝的身份。按理说，她不会不知道易的事情。
3.关键时候，易太太总是借故外出。
4.花絮交待，陈冲在接片时第一个问题就是“易太太知不知道内幕？”李安说知道。陈冲这才答应接片，因为有发挥演技的余地。片中，易太太知情的细节不多，很可能是因为篇幅长度而被剪掉了。
问：为什么说易是双重间谍？
答：
1.影片开头，就是刺杀案的当天，易从监狱中入镜。张秘书提到，日本人正在调查军火下落的案子。日本人取消了和易的约会，改在次日在日本宪兵队见面。日本人已经怀疑易了（或张秘书高密，日本人已经知情）。
2.易在书房烧文件，这时王进入，易很不满。易为什么烧文件？烧的是什么文件？
按理说，特工只有在紧急或特殊的情况下，才烧文件毁证。
根据片中的有限线索，他烧的文件只能是调查军火下落的文件。他在暗地里帮助重庆。
3.老吴说：我和易有仇，我还和他隔着桌子吃饭。老吴和易见过面，他们有交易。交易之前，老吴要暗杀易，交易后，重庆方面取消了暗杀计划，改为继续监视。把这两件事联系到一起，就知道了他们交易的内容。
4.影片开头，易说，日本人没说要死要活，命令张秘书给犯人个痛快。他怕事露，着急灭口。
问：为什么说张秘书是双重间谍？
答：影片给了张多处的特写镜头或全景镜头，没有特殊原因，导演不会这么做。影片多处暗示，张一直在监视着易的行动。后来又交待，张秘书早就知道了易和王的关系，那个刺杀小组的情况也一清二楚。
张是不是汪派来监视易的呢？不会。易是汪多年的死党，应该取得了汪的绝对信任才能干特工总部的部长。
那么只有日本人才会来监视易的。
问：为什么说邝的刺杀小组中有张秘书的卧底？
1.邝是个小头目，领导一个刺杀小组。小组中除了香港同学的5人，还有一个陌生人。这个陌生人是谁？
2.此人在珠宝店外第二次露面。
3.抓捕后，张秘书说，真正的枪手因为手中有电影票逃跑了。为什么只有他有电影票？
4.显然，王没经审讯，她没供出6人小组的事情。那么张秘书怎么知道那么详细？
问：在上海，易是否知道王的身份？
答：知道。
1.第一次易王见面，易的神色很怀疑。
2.易王第一次床戏，易对王施暴。玩性虐游戏吗？不是。王站在窗边，脱吊袜带。易以为她要掏枪，首先的反应是搜身，然后把王绑起来。易有过被色诱的经历，这是他本能的反应。他没有解除对王的怀疑。第一次性爱，也绝没有爱在里面。完全是干完拉倒。事后，易在床边得意地看着衣不遮体的王。还略有沉思。这段比较有趣，王被干后，也面带得意。双方都在想，谁是谁的猎物呢？
3.王走进易的书房，看见易在烧文件。易问：你一直很小心，从不过问我公务上的事。看来他一直很戒备。
4.王在车里等易，说易为什么不让王进去等。易问：“你真的想进去吗？”他还在怀疑。
5.第二次床戏，王说“我恨你”。易说，三年前，你不是这样。他发觉王已经爱上他，并不是三年前要刺杀他时的王。复杂的体位后，王说“给我一间公寓”，易的表情再次复杂。本来王先前说要坚持回香港。回香港，才正常，易才不怀疑。不回香港，又勾起易的怀疑。
6.第三次床戏，双方的关系已经加深。床边放着易的枪。一个职业特工会这么冒险吗？她可是间谍嫌疑人。我想，易又在试探王。枪中应该没有子弹。
7.经过若干次的试探后，易才放心，王爱上了他。易才决定给王买钻戒。另一方面，易和老吴见面后，易已不在暗杀名单上。他的安全也得到了重庆的官方保证。他的恋爱是安全的。
问：为什么易说“我比你懂得怎么做娼妓”？
答：在日本料理。王说，你拿我当妓女。易说，在这里，我比你懂得怎么做娼妓。随后听歌落泪。
实际上，易此时已经说出了自己的心声。他知道伺候日本人的感觉就像做娼妓。
人生中有很多无奈。
另：我的爷爷在40年代曾给日本人当过一段日语翻译，文革期间被打成“汉奸、反革命”，后来平反。
我和爷爷谈过此事，他说，人总是要吃饭的。
有人骂李安是美化汉奸，我觉得他不过是站在一个历史后人的角度来中立地看待这段历史。
历史是供后人评说的，深陷其中，如何判断谁是谁非？超越历史来看历史，才能看到历史的本来面目。
问：刺杀命令是谁下的？
答：老吴明确表示，重庆不允许暗杀易。不是老吴下的令。
那么有动机的就只剩邝了。是情杀。
他心里爱王。他不忍心看王被易搞，也想替王早日解脱。
问：刺杀当天，易到珠宝店为什么说“有我在，你不用怕”？
答：
1.他到珠宝店时面容轻松，进门后见到可疑人物也没担心。这不是他的职业习惯。
2.因为他事先在这里做了安排，珠宝店里面有他的特工。
3.王上车时是在凯司令咖啡店，上车后，王说要去珠宝店，易对司机说，“回刚才那里”。这说明，他刚刚去过那里。去那里干什么？确保安全警卫啦。他知道一会儿要去那里。
问：刺杀现场的珠宝店里都有哪些特工？
答：
1.易的人。
2.邝的人。
3.张秘书的人。
问：事败后，王为什么不吃药自杀？
答：她拿出来药，没吃。
这个细节反映出来她心态的变化。自杀，就说明她是革命者，是为革命事业献身。而这时的她已经深陷情欲。她已经识破了革命的谎言，不想为革命而死，她要为爱情献身。这是原著中没有的细节，也是李安的高明之处。
问：为什么易的书房和办公室中有孙中山的画像？
答：蒋和汪都打着救国救民的旗号，都自称是孙的正宗继承人，互相攻击对方。邝说的“引刀成一快,不负少年头”就是汪的名言。当时的汪伪政府也叫国民政府，也挂gmd的国旗。
第六节：补充资料
真实事件中的人物原型：
引用:
郑苹如出生于1918年，祖籍浙江兰溪。父亲郑钺先生早年参加同盟会,是孙中山先生的忠实支持者。孙中山流亡日本时,郑钺也陪同前往并娶了位日本女子为妻。妻子敬仰中华文化，为自己取了个中国名字：郑华君。日本发动侵华战争后，郑华君以自己日本人的身份作掩护，在上海参加地下活动。在家庭的影响下，郑苹如从小就立下了为国立功的宏大志愿。长到19岁时，郑苹如已出落得风姿绰约，是上海有名的美女。
中国当时最有影响的画报——《良友》曾以她的照片作为封面。
然而，就是这样一位为国献身的美女特工，如果不是因为军统局总务处长沈醉和大汉奸周佛海的一次谈话，竟然有可能被永远尘封在历史
深处不为外人所知——
1945年抗战胜利后，被国民政府关押在重庆歌乐山下白公馆内的大汉奸周佛海，拐弯抹角地向来“看望”他的国民党军统局总务处长沈醉打探自己的命运，他问沈醉：“隔壁关的丁默村也为你们出过力，你们为什么不肯放过他？还在六年前派一个女特工去暗杀他?”
沈醉对丁默村并不陌生，丁默村也曾是军统人员,曾任军统第三处处长。后来投入日本人怀抱，组建了76号特工总部，被汪精卫任命为总部主任。抗战胜利后也被关在了白公馆。但是周佛海说的“女特工”却让沈醉一头雾水：“那个女特工是谁？我怎么没听说过啊？”
周佛海说：“她叫郑苹如。因为暗杀丁默村未遂,被汪精卫下令枪毙了,死时才23岁……”
沈醉一听，觉得这件事很没人情味：无论郑苹茹是什么人，只要是为国家献身的，就应该青史留名。于是他立即到军统局要求查询郑苹如的档案。但是翻遍了花名册也没发现“郑苹如”三个字。沈醉又请中统局人事部门帮忙查阅,得到的回答是：中统的名册中也没有郑苹如这个人! 沈醉只好请上海方面查清此人的身份。
不久，从上海传来讯息：郑苹如只是中统的一名“运用人员”，因此没造册登记。但是让人感到意外的是，郑苹如的男朋友竟然是时任中统局“上海专员办事处”主任委员的嵇希宗。嵇希宗是陈果夫、陈立夫的亲表弟。日军占领上海前后，他是中统局上海特区情报股外勤人员。
1941年春抵重庆,任中统局“党派调查处总干事”,不久被派来上海。抗战胜利后任中统局“上海专员办事处”主任委员。
《色戒》影评
当一个男人深爱一个女人的时候，真的觉得他会很傻很可爱！
他会每天想着你，无论他在干着什么，脑海中都会时不时地荡漾出你的影子，这就表明他用心爱你了，令你感到高兴…
昨天看了梁朝伟和汤唯主演的电影《色戒》，觉得片子演的实在太精彩了，剧中的易先生尽管是个特务走狗的角色，但是他并没有令人讨厌，而是觉得这样一个警惕心强、不会相信任何人的一个人也竟然完全信任了王佳芝，为这个女人动了真情，其中的一段话是：你长的太美了，让我不得不想到你，手下向我汇报情况，我只看见他的嘴一张一合，却一个字也听不进去”。
这其间，第一让你感觉是导演如此有眼力选了新人汤唯出演这个角色，更感到惊奇的是她竟然把角色演绎的如此成功。一个初出茅庐的大学生到在一个如此奸滑的特务身边去虎口拔牙，情绪如此镇定，表情如此唯美，成功地捕获了一个警惕心极强的人的心，付出了自己真实的一切，实为太了不起的一个女性。
六个大学生最终的下场我不觉得遗憾，关键就在于，那么多男人，竟然把一个女人推到风口浪尖上去做一件如此令人难以想象的事情，而且是色相和肉体的牺牲。而梁朝伟出演的是一个特务的角色并没有显现出他花天洒地、左拥右抱、寻欢作乐的场面，而是每天都非常警惕、小心地做每一件事，所以他并不让人讨厌。和王佳芝在一起的日子里竟然还为她的歌喉感动地掉过眼泪，并且，为了心爱的人还那样用心地策划了一种如此浪漫地送戒指的方式，这一切都表明他还有人性，有人性的坏人就不会让人痛恨到咬牙切齿，剧中的整个场面并没有见到嘶杀和血腥的镜头。
正因为他的举动也深深地打动了王佳芝，才令她在关键地时刻选择了让这个人安全离开。女人的心思其实很简单，她最需要的是有一个真正爱她的人，而王力宏在里面扮演的角色真的很失败，明明最初他和王佳芝之间是有一段朦朦胧胧的爱情的，一起演话剧，一起闹革命，但是就在他们选择让梁润生去和王佳芝做那件事的一刻起，就注定在她心中和他美好的一切被彻底地破坏了。
所以我觉得他们的结局是不遗憾的，为什么要把一个女人单枪匹马地推到一个特务的怀中，那将意味着什么，他们想过吗？想过这个女人的立场有多么凄凉吗？如果是我，我也会对这个世界完全失去信心，唯一相信的男人在关键的时刻不能主动承担责任，这是最令人痛心的事情。她之所以为易先生动心，也完全是因为她感觉到了易先生对她确实动了的真情，放了易先生的理由就是这样简单，这不只是那枚戒指的力量，而是送戒指的举动是王佳芝等剧中所有的人意想不到的事情。
说至此，我还是觉得演员表演的太精湛了，导演的选人太有眼力了，故事的设计太完美了，之所以让天王梁朝伟演特务的角色，是因为这个特务与一般的特务不一般。
《色戒》影评
看色戒归来，感慨万千，不得不一吐为快。有的人不明白李安为什么哭了，还有马英九为什么哭了，我只觉得和他们心有戚戚也，因为我也哭了。
有的人把色戒看成爱情故事，有的人把色戒看成讲人性的故事，更有的人在色戒中只看到裸露的人体。如果只是这些，大概不会哭或者不会哭得那么彻底。有的人简单把电影色戒当成小说色戒的翻版，进而总是对比二者。而李安说过，他要记录和再现一段历史，如果他现在不做，怕人们要淡忘了。这就是李安爱情和人性故事背后的日本侵华历史。在那段屈辱的历史中，人们对自己的道路和命运不能控制，人性埋没。除非苟活着，麻木着。李安比张爱玲，实在要站在更高的高度上。不要试图给李安对号入座，哪怕是编剧基础的小说，还有小说基础的历史人物。就算没有张的小说，李安也会找到别的小说，或者别的故事来讲述那段痛楚的历史。
王佳芝由一个纯真的大学生走上一条充满危险和没有彼岸的道路，她既没有所谓的革命理想，也没有老吴和匡的国仇家恨思想，她只是简单地为了她喜欢的男生完成这男生想做的一件事。所以难怪易先生说，她的眼中没有恐惧。所以她才会吸引了他，他相信她。她的家庭没有给她温暖，她的男生没有给她爱情，她的同学早商量好了她要扮演的角色。她不得不进入角色，她被拉进来了，不是她的同学，而是日本侵华。她在乱世中，孤独地活着，唯一的爱好是看看电影，在西方电影中寻找一点向往的温情。影片多次提到易先生对自己汉奸生涯的厌恶和身不由己。比如王佳芝埋怨他没让她进去等，他说，你真的想去那种地方？言辞间充满了对自己工作环境的厌恶。还有对王说，他接触的人眼中都充满了恐惧，他不相信他们。只有在王面前，他可以做回真正的自己！更有在日本艺妓馆，他对日本人的负面评论，说他们的音乐听起来像丧家之犬发出的声音等等。这哪是一个汉奸说的话？在这时候，他才是真正的自己。接着王给易唱天涯歌女。这不是一首情歌，很多人以为易是被王真挚的情歌所感动了。其实是这首歌的歌词和意境道出了易的心声。看看歌词吧，田汉作词的。第一段似乎还像情歌，天涯海角觅知音，第二段马上说的就是国破山河在的哀伤，家山北望泪沾襟，第三段更联想到人生短暂，青春如此的悲凉，人生谁不惜青春？易可能想到自己终日在
恐惧和反范戒备中度日，也许他有过青春的梦想，肯定不是做汉奸，然而国破山河碎，自己却成为自己也不想做的汉奸。所以易哭了，他的人性得以重现。所有的裸露和床戏，无非是想说明两个人脱去伪装和面具，赤裸相见，坦诚相见，做一回他们真实的自己，做到极致，希望不再回来。而性，是最原始最直接的方式，在性中，他们做回了真我。他们内心和身体坦诚接触的越多，两人的心走得越近。王在挣扎于自己身份的同时，已经意识到易钻进了自己心里，因为那个人，信任她，和她在一起时，那个人回归了真我，已经不是汉奸。所以她心里的防线彻底崩溃，不是因为那个大钻石，而是因为易的爱情。当王看到大钻石，她的眼里并没有任何惊喜，她甚至还按计划约易到珠宝店，准备在哪里完成匡的任务。但是，当易满眼满脸的温柔，看着她试戴，说，他对钻石没有兴趣，只是想看她戴着它的样子。易知道，麻将桌上，太太们谈论的，攀比的，钻石对女人的重要性，他愿意以她的方式给她带来快乐。这不是爱是什么？当王说不敢带这么贵重的东西在街上走，易又说，你和我在一起。要知道易是个不多话的人，他背后的话外音就是，不用怕，有我呢，我保护你，你可以依靠我！没有哪个女人能抵挡得住这样的爱情承诺—一个愿意信任自己，给自己依靠，带给自己快乐的男人。尤其在那个日本侵略者肆意烧杀淫虐的乱世。如果我是王佳芝，我也会被这个男人的爱所感动，并且爱上他，不愿意他失去。当易从这梦一般的场景中醒悟过来，他又做回了汉奸，他的人性又掩藏起来。最后他杀不杀王已变得不重要，重要的是，这样美丽的梦也只能是梦。他不得不回到现实。只有回家看看王曾住过的房间，睡过的床，遥想一下在这样的苟活的岁月，那曾经短暂的真情。
故事中可恨的人也好，可怜的人也好，悲剧也好，人性也好，都是那段可恶的历史给愣给推到那个位置上的，他们本来可以不的，可是他们不得不，因为他们不能控制，没有选择。写到这，我的眼睛又湿润了。
希望每个中国人都看懂色戒。顺便说，有人说大学生演话剧那段太夸张了。要知道，30年代的话剧就是那样的。其实即使今天的话剧，如果你看过北京人艺或者青艺的演出，你就会知道，其实那一点也不夸张，因为那是话剧，不是电影。而且当他们最后喊出“中国不能亡”，我觉得最自然不过了，当时的中国已经放不下一张安静的课桌，如果我是当时的学生，我也会想喊，中国不能亡。我的眼睛从这里开始湿润。
不能不感动于李安的中国情怀。
《色戒》影评
今天上午终于开完了色戒，现在这年头，写色戒影评也能成为赶时髦了 ，还是转发个影评吧
人性的困惑---- 电影《色戒》引起的思辨
国际中国文化出版社 徐浩渊
李安的电影《色戒》，引起华人世界强烈的对抗性反应。
叫好的说“《色戒》这部片子艺术上不错。一个抗日志士爱上了一个汉奸，是人性的表达”；“李安做电影的目的就是追求对自己、自己关心的人性的感触。”
叫骂的说：“汉奸家属张爱玲出于阴暗心理写作小说《色戒》…… 李安将《色戒》搬上银幕，在张氏小说基础上变本加厉，前所未有地践踏中国人的道德底线和民族尊严。”
我把这些争论贴到我们网上的心理论坛中，一位中年女性的意见，很是反映了当下白领阶层的感受：“在我看来，颓废奢华和纠缠的情感以及模糊的道德界限，是这个影片触动我的地方；对我老公来说，他更感兴趣的是为什么删，删了些什么，这个女主角是否性感。”
最终，我的朋友崔卫平——专修电影理论、电影评论的教授，发来自己的文章《人性的，太过人性的》，让我不禁拍手叫绝。她最后写到：“问题并不仅仅在于李安的这部影片，而在于接受当下这部影片的语境。它在威尼斯获奖时遭遇记者及影评家的嘘声继而被奥斯卡拒之门外，在大陆却获得一片赞美之声，许多人将之奉为极品。在很大程度上，它像一面镜子，照出了某种现实生存的精神状态：当人们开口闭口将‘人性’放在嘴边，如同最后的一根救命稻草，表明他们已经失去了如何对待这个世界的正当眼光和尺度，放弃了自己在外部世界应该承担的角色和客观评价；一个人故意萎缩他的外部世界，可以看作是其内心坠落与空虚的表现。不妨去想，今天还有什么理由将‘性’看作是至高无上、凌驾一切的？
如果说是人性，郑苹如那样一种为国捐躯的态度，不也是一种人性的体现？人的正义感、忠诚、正直不也是人性的体现？怎么就将这些排除在人性词典之外呢？再比如，老易的人性及其复杂性，正可以体现在他作为汉奸挣扎、如何经受内心的煎熬，而不是另外寻找一个出口，弄得真像那么回事似的。”
近年来，大凡出现津津乐道丑恶人物、事务的文艺作品，便有人出来用“人性”一言以毕之，给屎壳郎披上件光鲜时尚的“人性”外套，碰不得了。然而，问起什么是“人性”，为何只要是反映“人性”的作品就是好的，却无人知晓无人过问了。为此，我想探究一下到底什么是人性，文艺作品反映人性的方式，如何影响社会风尚，以至于影响个体人性发展的倾向。
翻开辞海，发现上面有两条解释：
人性
(1) 指在一定的社会制度和历史条件下形成的人的品性
(2) 人所具有的正常的感情和理智
这两条定义本身和互相之间都存有不少疑点和冲突。首先，在同样的社会制度和历史条件下，人的品性是各不相同的。林妹妹、鲁大、贾政的品性差异就很大。至于什么样的感情和理智是正常的，人们的看法更有天壤之别。同在日伪统治的中国，郑苹如以为铲除汉奸是中国人正常的情感和理智，并以性命为代价实践之；张爱玲则宣称汉奸比爱国学生的阳具更具魅力“像洗了个热水澡，把积郁都冲掉了”，甚至被汉奸枪杀都不要紧，“生是他的人，死是他的鬼。”这是张氏的正常情感。
再看牛津大辞典对于人性的定义：
Humanity
1, the human race, human beings collectively, the fact of condition of being humane, human nature. （人类，集体即非个体的人，有条件人道的事实，人类天性）
2, humaneness; benevolence.（人道，仁慈）
还是没有说清楚事情。倒是“仁慈”比较“正常”有了一点衡量方向，至少暗示了残忍、屠杀、虐待等等是非人性的。然而，把人类负面的特性排除在人的特性之外，又不符合全部事实和集体特性的说法了。
上世纪80年代，我在美国读研究生时候，上了一门很有意思的课程——动物行为，其中包括了人类行为。使我第一次认识到，人类也是动物的一种，与其它动物共享很多秉性。例如，除了食与性等生理特性，我们与其它动物还共享对于幼仔的哺育行为、情感联系，甚至群体规则等等。同时，我第一次认识到，在我们人类独特具有的品性中，不仅具有因为我们智力发展创造的哲学、艺术、科学等文明产物，人类还具有比其它动物更加残忍、超乎自然生存逻辑的行为，例如战争。
其它动物的杀戮目的很明确，是为了获取食物，为了维护自身和幼仔的安全，一句话，是为了自身的生存繁衍而被迫对不同种类的动物实行杀戮。豺狼、恶虎、大白鲨等猛兽的杀戮，均无例外。在同类之间，除了交配时期争夺交配权力，或者为了维护居住领地，同类动物并不互相争斗，更不会彼此屠杀。人类，则是因为信仰和利益，残忍地屠杀、折磨同类的唯一物种。易先生不是刚刚被情人王佳芝救了性命，立即将她枪决了吗？其它动物没有这样的特性，更没有类似纳粹迫害犹太人和南京大屠杀那样的血腥行为。这也是人性的特有部分，残忍、破坏性的另一个侧面。
中国人“人之初，性本善”的信念是偏颇的。大抵因为婴幼儿对他人没有伤害与威胁所形成的概念，却不知那是因为幼儿还不具备伤害他人的能力。而且，所谓“善”应该有与人为善、给予的意思。幼儿只会往自己嘴里抓吃食，绝不会天生把食物让给他人。谦让的良善举动，也是后天学来的。其实，人的基因里携带了两类不同行为的潜质：友善、利他、建设性等正向品性发展的潜质；同时也具有发展负面品性的潜质，那便是侵略、自私、破坏性的一面。对于每一个个体，他（她）生长发育的环境促使、允许哪个方面的潜质发展，那些品质便成为该个体的成人后的品性。希特勒的残酷，是被他极其残暴的父亲对童年的他鞭笞而培养出来的；莫扎特和门德尔松的音乐比起贝多芬的更加优雅、平和，是因为他们没有贝多芬那样艰难、贫困的童年环境所致。
既然人性有正、负两面，文艺作品必然会反映两个侧面，关键问题是如何反映、站在什么立场上反映。经历“文革”岁月，我曾经厌恶听到人谈论文艺作品的立场。总觉得带有政治宣传和宗教裁判的色彩。然而影片《色戒》，让我第一次感到“立场”很重要，立场是不能不被关注的。
我说的不是阶级立场，而是人类对于真善美VS假丑恶的立场，对于正义与非正义的立场。一个国家对另一国家的侵略，对那里的人民的统治、屠杀，在任何时代、任何情况下都是丑恶和非正义的。为了个人利益，讨好侵略者，成为屠杀自己同胞的帮凶，永远是罪恶行径。歌颂、抑或粉饰这种罪恶的文艺作品，无论它如何高明，对于社会，特别是对于天真烂漫的孩童，都是一种污染、一种伤害。因为它肯定了罪恶，教人学恶，促使人性残忍、自私、卑鄙的潜质生长。宣扬丑恶的作品，越高明，就越容易使得受众不由自主地与作者共享同一立场，小说与电影《色戒》便是这样的作品。
仔细查看《色戒》的小说与电影是有相当差距的。因为张爱玲与李安的生长背景和创作潜意识动机有着巨大的差异。
张爱玲，出生1920年，没落清朝官吏的后代，朝思暮想回到社会上层，重享荣华富贵，却不得。日伪时期，张氏拼命攀上了汉奸权贵胡兰成，不久被胡抛弃。抗战胜利后，她在社会上自然抬不起头来。有人说她恬不知耻，我不同意。恰恰因为张爱玲知道傍汉奸是耻辱，知道郑苹如是英雄，所以才写了《色戒》，硬是把自己那点见不得人的事情，和抗日女英雄混为一个人型写出来。短短的两页纸，修来改去27年才敢发表。文章中的时间转换、人物与事件交代变得含混、隐讳，也反映了她嘴上不肯招认，心底却无法摆脱的羞耻感。她的羞耻心还在于汉奸胡兰成不把她当回事，另有新欢。所以她把这股恨意，用书中的汉奸被人追杀来发泄。张爱玲真的想杀胡兰成一刀吗？舍不得。因为他送她大钻戒，让她觉得他爱她。“爱”这个字在张氏笔下变得肮脏且沾满铜臭，因为它是和克拉数成正比的。
李安拍《色戒》有他自己的心理需求。李安1954年在台湾出生，大学之后留学美国，很少有中华民族曾经被欺辱、被宰割的感受与概念。通过他的多部影片，李安表达出自身两种主要的心理冲突：一，作为长子，他选择的职业不被父亲认可；二，婚姻生活中，性爱的极大不满足。
李安的父亲是一位传统意识浓厚的中学校长，一直为自己的长子李安学业成绩欠佳，不能成为一名教授而感到失望。上世纪70年代，从台湾到美国留学的年轻人学工程、医学、法律、商科是正业。可以落脚美国，回台湾也不乏受人尊敬、待遇优厚的职位。学电影？在老人看来是胡闹、是玩票。甚之，李安毕业后长年没有工作，结婚生子后，还靠妻子养活，老人致死都难以了却这桩伤心事。这是为何在父亲去世后不久，李安领取奥斯卡最佳导演奖时，手握小金人，难过地说希望父亲能看到这一天。李安希望得到西方世界的认可，从而能够得到父亲的认可啊。事实上，岂止李安，我们国内的第5、6代导演，不是也依靠西方影界的承认，在欧美电影节上得了金狮、金熊奖项，才在国内站住脚的吗？中国人从什么时候开始，要靠外国人说好坏来评价自身了呢？
与父亲的这番情感纠葛始终深深地压抑、刺激着李安，使他拍完“父亲三部曲”后，在《冰风暴》里再现他的痛苦与情感冲突。到了《色戒》，他干脆让扮演丁默邨的梁朝伟学着自己父亲的步伐走路。在李安心里，丁默邨的主要身份不是汉奸，而是让他又爱又恨的“那个时代的男人”。
影片《色戒》的另一个争论热点，又是观看热点，即是“性”和“床戏”。在张爱玲的《色戒》中，这部分仅寥寥几笔带过，李安却将此大加发展，借以发泄了自己压抑长久的性能量。一位支持李安的朋友来信说：“李安是一个非常敏感而且情感脆弱的人。但是他勇敢：他一直不懈探究自己，通过电影表达自己，而且不顾别人如何看待他。他说《色戒》是他中年情感危机中的产物。危机的内容是什么我不关心，但我能感触他的脉搏。我觉得，他的性欲一直没有开发，虽然他对性的渴望极其强烈，但他自己为这样那样的道德因素束缚，不敢、不能去追求自己真正想得到满足。他一直没有停止挣扎。《色戒》让他解放了。”
同意朋友的看法。我看李安的《断背山》，已经感受到李安的性压抑，和他的挣扎。《色戒》则让我确认了自己的想法。
李安是个坦诚、单纯的人，他对自己居家男人和夫妻关系的诉说（见《南方周末》专访李安），让人觉得他和妻子的关系像是乖儿子与严厉母亲相处。在这样的夫妻关系中，性爱是难以得到舒展的。常年被压抑的情欲容易变得激烈，甚至变得暴力。我看《色戒》是大陆删节版，不知道被删掉的部分如何发展。但就存留的镜头，丁默邨把王佳芝猛然摔到墙上、打翻在床、骑在背上的镜头，已经很暴力了。健康正常的女性不会喜欢如此被人对待，除非她有被虐待的病态性倾向。而李安却由此宣泄了自己：他拍完两段床戏后抱头痛哭，梁朝伟不得不上前安慰。
我认为表现性关系和裸体的作品可以很美，也可以很丑。不知大家有没有看过一部90年代的法国影片《情人》，根据法国女作家的同名小说改编，梁家辉在其中上演全裸的床戏，影片拍得实在凄美动人、品味一流。相反，大多数美国影片的这些部分拍得猥亵、低俗，常常是男演员还打着领带，就把女演员的衣服扒光，两人假模假样地在那里大呼小喊，造作得令人作呕。不少欧洲影片，即便拍摄全裸，还是呈现一种真诚的自然美，让人看得感动、享受。相信16岁以上的青少年观看这样的影片，受到的是美丽的爱情教育，从而对淫秽下流的东西才具有了分辨力。人类的性爱原本是美的、健康的行为。如此的人性部分，假如能够从观念的压抑和利益的驱动下解放出来，是人自我享受与升华的重要内容。
回到《色戒》，我同情大学生要求“禁演”的呼声，却不同意禁演、删节镜头的作法。假如我们也能把影片按照观众年龄分出级别，更重要的是能够让各方面的评论声音在各种媒体出现，难道还怕“真善美”斗不过“假丑恶”吗？假如我们的影视和评论环境更有包容性，营造文化艺术百花齐放的春天，我相信人性中美好、仁爱、建设性的潜质，便有了良好的生长条件，那将是多么令人向往的景象啊。
二 : 《色戒》电影剧本_色，戒 影评
【剧本来源】
FOCUS的《色戒》英文官方网站
官方英文最终剧本，和英文字幕只有极个别用词的差别。
未找到中文剧本，因为里面有隐藏的秘密，估计剧组不会披露
对于色戒，多余的素材能揭露出惊人的秘密。大家都看看，研究研究，有啥新玩意，新思想，新细节。请发上来讨论讨论，本人的“研究成果”连载在：
《色戒》剧本中的惊天秘密——再次开启《色戒》悬疑迷案
《色戒》（LUST，CAUTION）英文剧本
LUST, CAUTION
Screenplay by
Wang Hui Ling and James Schamus
Based on the short story 'Se, Jei' by
Eileen Chang
Compiled by W.S.
EXT. YEE'S RESIDENCE - SHANGHAI - WINTER 1942 - DAY
A German Shepherd guard dog, straining at his leash, sniffs the ground.
Yu Yuen Road. Lane #1136. A cluster of elegant residences sits under gray skies. Once the height of Shanghai fashion and wealth, but now slightly seedy.
In front of every house there stands a security guard with a gun. And on the rooftops, guards with binoculars, keeping watch.
Plainclothes security, in their short coats, idle, cold and surly. An air of menace.
By the high wall, two chauffeurs smoke and chat idly, leaning on their
fancy cars.
INT. YEE'S RESIDENCE - SHANGHAI - DAY
Wontons float in bowls of chicken soup. Amah, the housekeeper, picks up the bowls and heads down the corridor. Laughter mixes with the noise of mahjong tiles clacking -- a game in progress.
MA TAI-TAI (O.S.)
Aiya! And I was waiting to nab your '2'!
(A "Tai-tai" is a married woman with a certain social status - "Ma Tai-tai"
means something like "Madame Ma.")
YEE TAI-TAI (O.S.)
Shameless! Like I didn't know you were missing a '2'? If only Mai Tai-tai
didn't block me...
LEUNG TAI-TAI (O.S.)
Aiya! Don't you know three 'pung' can't beat one good 'stash'! So much for that! Come, come! Let's shift the wind and change seats!
Amah enters the chamber, lit by a pool of light over the mahjong table.
Amah sets down the tray while signaling for another servant to remove
leftover bowls of red dates and sticky rice. The white porcelain spoons and
bowls are all stained with red lipstick.
On the mahjong table, the ladies' smooth white hands are busily shuffling and sorting the tiles, their diamond rings sparkling under the sharp light.
MA TAI-TAI (O.S.)
Talking about wind shift, I almost forgot to congratulate you! --
on Mr. Leung's promotion!
LEUNG TAI-TAI
What promotion, really!
(snickers)
An officer in charge of rice!
MA TAI-TAI
Look, these days we can't even get Indian rice through our connections!
Controlling rice is more powerful than guarding gold!
Just you listen to our Yee Tai-tai.
YEE TAI-TAI
(laughs)
Listen to me? Why, I'm no living Buddha! If anyone, your husband should have listened to me, and not taken on Transportation. Now he's away
from home two, three days a week –and lets you run wild!
We now get a look at the ladies. Yee Tai-tai, the hostess, is a grand dame, older than the others, and jealous of her superior status. Leung Tai-tai is corpulent, avaricious and grasping. Ma Tai-tai is younger, attractive and
sharp-eyed.
MA TAI-TAI
Me, wild? His relatives come over every day for one thing or another, till
my hallways are crammed with in-laws. Finding odd jobs for them is not
enough, I have to feed them too. We don't earn enough for all that
bother.
LEUNG TAI-TAI
You said it!
YEE TAI-TAI
Aiya! We can't give our Mai Tai-tai the wrong impression -- she'll think
Wang Ching-wei’s government is run by us wives over the mahjong table!
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
But it seems you're only telling the truth!
LEUNG TAI-TAI
Those little Japanese devils will never know -- that there's another heaven above the Emperor's head!
The women crack up.
We now see to whom Yee Tai-tai is referring. Mai Tai-tai is only in her early twenties, delicately beautiful, and wearing hardly any make-up besides the bright shiny lipstick on her chiseled lips. She smiles demurely at Yee
Tai-tai, something slightly secretive in her manner -- in fact, more than
slightly, as we shall discover. For her real name is Wang Chia-chih, and the money she is gambling on mahjong today is not her own....
YEE TAI-TAI
Eat it while it's still hot.
LEUNG TAI-TAI
I really shouldn't eat any more! So fat already -
YEE TAI-TAI
Everybody is hoarding these days! Since we can't do much else, we might as well hoard fat on our bodies!
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
What's good to hoard these days, Yee Tai-tai? My Little Mai is always
looking for the next trend in imports. Even with the port closed, you can
still do a lot of business in Hong Kong.
YEE TAI-TAI
You said you already sold out all your Western medicine? What a
shortage! I'd just have him get more of that for you.
From the corner of her eyes Ma Tai-Tai watches the two confer.
MA TAI-TAI
I heard you all went to that Szechuan restaurant Shu-yü yesterday?
YEE TAI-TAI
Yes, we did, the whole group -- Mai Ta-tai had never been there before.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
When I told them, they all laughed -
YEE TAI-TAI
They've already opened two branches in Hong Kong -
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I know --
YEE TAI-TAI
They said the Sichuan chefs couldn't get along with the Hong Kong chefs, so business was bad. Hong Kong people can't take it too spicy hot
anyway, right? It was plenty hot yesterday --
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Very hot indeed! --So hot that I--
YEE TAI-TAI
The colder it gets, the hotter one eats -- to take the chill out! Their spicy bean fish was so good! Why, who just discarded the '5 dots'? Aiyo! Thank you very much!
She puts down her bowl to rearrange the tiles.
Ma and Leung both sport fashionable black capes, closed at the collar with a thick gold clasp.
LEUNG TAI-TAI
So Ma Tai-tai didn't go yesterday?
YEE TAI-TAI
She's been hiding from us for quite a while!
MA TAI-TAI
I was tied up at home!
YEE TAI-TAI
(laughs)
You promised to treat us, couldn't back down, so instead you vanished!
MA TAI-TAI
And who was busy when I called a few days ago?
YEE TAI-TAI
(laughs)
That didn't count - I had to fetch Mai Tai-tai. Ask her if you don't believe me.(to Mai Tai-tai/Wang Chia-chih)
Ma Tai-tai picked that very day to treat us, deliberately!
LEUNG TAI-TAI
(to Mai)
Say, any stockings left from your stock?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I'm afraid I'm all sold out of those too.
YEE TAI-TAI
Yesterday Liao Tai-tai alone took away half a dozen!
LEUNG TAI-TAI
That lady is just too...
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(apologetic)
I'll bring more next time, I promise!
YEE TAI-TAI
Shanghai is short of just about everything these days. Even toothpaste -- you can only get it on the black market. Now that I found you again, you must come more often, and always stay with me when you're in town!
Ma lowers her eyelids and fiddles with the tiles in her hand.
Mai Tai-tai (Wang Chia-chih) follows Ma's every expression. Clearly, Ma
makes her nervous.
Sound cut: on the clattering of mahjong tiles, we cut to:
INT. BASEMENT HALLWAY -- SECRET SERVICE BUILDING - DAY
An iron door is pushed open and a man exits into a hallway -- Yee, forties, elegant, pale and weary. He winces almost imperceptibly at the sounds of
torture emanating from the room behind him. He is accompanied by his
second-in-command, Chang, sinister, oily.
This is a basement prison operated by the Wang Ching-wei regimes's
secret service.
CHANG
He won't last much longer - the Japanese military will be here to claim him.
YEE
They didn't say dead or alive. Give him a quick one as a favor.
Chang glances at Yee.
CHANG
Sir, about General Miura Taicho - they are still looking for the American
shipment of arms to Chungking.
YEE
I'll see him tonight.
CHANG
His secretary called. He regrets that he will have to cancel tonight's dinner. He asks that you report first thing tomorrow morning - at Japanese
headquarters.
Yee pauses, vaguely disturbed.
INT./EXT. SECRET SERVICE BUILDING -- FRONT COURTYARD – SHANGHAI --DAY
Yee and Chang come down the stairs into the office area.
CHANG
Will you be returning today?
YEE
No...I have an appointment.
As Yee heads towards his car, two bodyguards come quickly forward, checking the surroundings and opening the car door for him. Chang stands
beside the car as Yee gets in.
The door closes, a bodyguard gets in the front with the driver.
Chang watches as Yee's car pulls away.
INT. YEE'S CAR – DAY
Yee sits in the back seat, searches his pockets, doesn't find what he is
looking for.
The guard hands him a cigarette.
Yee lights it and smokes, thinking. He watches the pigeons circling above.
EXT. YEE'S RESIDENCE— SHANGHAI
Yee's car pulls up at the entrance. Another car is already parked in the
alley.
The bodyguard gets out first, looks around, then opens the car door.
Yee gets out, alert, and disappears into the house in a single stride.
INT. YEE'S RESIDENCE—SHANGHAI— CONTINUOUS
Yee pauses in the front hall, hears the women laughing and playing.
In the hallway mirror, he straightens his hair.
He walks upstairs. Amah is passing by.
AMAH
Sir, you're back home.
LEUNG TAI-TAI (O.S.)
Someone helped my cousin buy a yellow diamond from a Russian
aristocrat, some seven or eight carats.
MA TAI-TAI
Those Russian aristocrats are all over the place, scrounging for cigarette
butts. Are you sure it wasn't a fake?
Yee enters, nods at the three ladies.
YEE
I see you ladies started early today.
Mai Tai-tai/Wang Chia-chih nods politely at him, and immediately lowers
her eyes to sort the tiles in her hands.
Yee smiles, and stands behind Yee Tai-tai watching the game.
Yee Tai-tai discards a '3 character'.
LEUNG TAI-TAI
Oh my god! You must have a great hand. Mr. Yee is here to cheer you on.
MAI TAI-TAI/WANG CHIA-CHIH
Oh --my turn?
She quickly discards a tile.
Yee Tai-tai continues to talk diamonds.
YEE TAI-TAI
(looking at Ma's hand)
Now yours is something else! How many carats is it again? Three?
Ma smiles uneasily, giving Yee a sly glance.
MA TAI-TAI
This old thing? It's so old-fashioned. I'm planning on having it reset in a
few days.
YEE TAI-TAI
Our trusted runner P’in Fen was here the other day and showed me a five-carat. It was big all right, but the brilliance was nowhere near yours --
Yee Tai-tai takes another look at Ma's diamond ring.
LEUNG TAI-TAI
And why didn't you call me?
YEE TAI-TAI
I only had time for a quick look myself - 'Pung'!
MA TAI-TAI
They all say P’in Fen brings in better goods than the shops! Mine is quite
ordinary.
YEE TAI-TAI
As a runner she brings them to our door, saves us the hassle and lets us check them out for a couple of days. P’in Fen has things that others don't. But the "hot oil" diamond last time? He wouldn't buy it.
Yee Tai-tai raises her yes to her husband with a quick look of disdain.
The mahjong table appears to have become a diamond exhibition. Only Mai Tai-tai has no diamond on her finger, just a jade ring.
YEE TAI-TAI
You have any idea how much these go for now? A flawless yellow diamond can go up to over ten taels, ten taels of gold a carat. P’in Fen claims that
yellow and pink diamonds are in hot demand but there's no supply. You
just can't find any. Those who have them hoard them rather than sell!
YEE
(smiles)
That "hot oil" of yours must have weighed over ten carats. A diamond is
not a quail egg, it's a stone after all. If you wore that on your finger you
could hardly play mahjong.
YEE TAI-TAI
Right! You wouldn't buy it and you still give me an earful!
Yee Tai-tai discards a '5 dots' and Leung Tai-tai quickly flips over all her
tiles with a crash to declare victory.
LEUNG TAI-TAI
I win! ...
MA TAI-TAI
Aiya! What a slip -- all your fault, Mr. Yee, for saying diamonds are bad for mahjong!
Laughing and bitching, the ladies count their chips.
YEE TAI-TAI
He's here to spoil our game!
LEUNG TAI-TAI
Thank you Mr. Yee!
MA TAI-TAI
That's not nice! Mr. Yee better treat us to dinner!
MR. YEE
No problem. Just tell me where you would like to go.
LEUNG TAI-TAI
Shu-yü.
MA TAI-TAI
Not Shu-yü, someplace more expensive.
Yee suddenly darts his eyes towards the door.
Mai Tai-tai (Wang Chia-chih) turns her eyes from Yee back to her chips as she counts them, keeping one eye on the two black capes. She sips her
tea, pauses, then glances at the clock on the wall.
MAI TAI-TAI/WANG CHIA-CHIH
Oh dear! How did it skip my mind? I have a meeting at three and forgot
clean about it!
YEE TAI-TAI
(raising her voice)
Impossible. Why didn't you say so before? This is simply not done!
MAI TAI-TAI/WANG CHIA-CHIH
It's an important meeting -- I totally forgot. I'm so sorry. Mr. Yee, please
take my place for a few hands -- I'll be back as soon as possible.
LEUNG TAI-TAI
(whining)
And I thought my luck was back!
MAI TAI-TAI/WANG CHIA-CHIH
It's Little Mai's money. After all these years, finally we're getting part of it back.
YEE TAI-TAI
Well, not unless Liao Tai-tai can come.
(calls for Amah in Shanghaiese)
Amah please call Liao Tai-tai!
(to Mai Tai-tai)
When she arrives you may leave.
Ma turns round to light a cigarette, toying with the chips in her hand.
Ma's eyes meet Wang's for a brief moment.
MAI TAI-TAI/WANG CHIA-CHIH
Mr. Yee will stand in for me. It's so late already -
I'm afraid they won't wait!
Mai Tai-tai (Wang Chia-chih) checks the clock.
YEE
I'm afraid I can't be of help today. I have another engagement. I'll play all night with you ladies some other time.
YEE TAI-TAI
(to Wang Cha Chi/Mai Tai-tai)
You're so bad! All right, all right, just go. But you have to buy us dinner.
LEUNG TAI-TAI
Yeah, I agree.
MA TAI-TAI
Aiya! Yee Tai-tai is really upset! No more special allowances, not even for
her!
MAI TAI-TAI/WANG CHIA-CHIH
Sure, sure! I promise, dinner is on me tonight. Mr. Yee, please take my
place, or else you won't be invited tonight!
Mai Tai-tai (Wang Chia-chih) seizes the moment, gets up, apologizes, and quickly leaves.
LEUNG TAI-TAI
Do help, Mr. Yee! Stay awhile -- see, Yee Tai-tai is already phoning around for a replacement.
YEE
I really am tied up. I came back just to change for an appointment.
MA TAI-TAI
I had a feeling Mr. Yee would be too occupied.
Wang overhears this last remark as she leaves the living room.
INT. YEE'S RESIDENCE – GUEST ROOM – SHANGHAI 1942 – DAY
Wang quickly goes upstairs to the guest room.
She throws a few make-up items and perfume into her handbag.
She straps on her watch. She hears someone coming up the stairs, lowers her head and keeps stuffing her bag with cigarettes and perfumes.
AMAH
(in Shanghainese)
Tai-tai says to let you use her car. It's waiting in front.
MAI TAI-TAI/WANG CHIA-CHIH
(mildly surprised,in Shanghainese)
Oh, that's very kind of her - but today Yee Tai-tai doesn't need to - very well then, thanks!
(not wishing to offend)
I'll be right down.
Wang checks herself in the mirror.
INT./EXT. YEE'S CAR - DAY
The car drives along a road flanked by bare plane trees.
MAI TAI-TAI/WANG CHIA-CHIH
(in Shanghainese)
So few cars -- in Hong Kong there's always so much traffic.
CHAUFFEUR
(in Shanghainese)
No one can afford gas anymore.
(curious, looks into rear mirror)
Mai Tai-tai's Shanghainese is quite good.
MAI TAI-TAI/WANG CHIA-CHIH
(smiling)
My mother's from Shanghai. My family moved to Hong Kong when the
Japanese came.
CHAUFFEUR
I see.
EXT. CONCESSIONS GUARD STATION -- CONTINUOUS
Traffic slows as they approach the French Concession. Wang waits in the
car at a checkpoint manned by Japanese soldiers.
Cars with Japanese flags are waved past. The others wait in line.
Wang sees a bayonet pointing at a kneeling man whose luggage is being
searched. At his side there is a dead body, lying in a pool of blood.
INT./EXT. YEE'S CAR -- CONTINUOUS
The car enters the French Concession.
Long lines of people queue on the street, many of them foreigners wearing arm bands, waiting for bread, bracing themselves against the autumn chill. Wang Chia-chih ponders them.
CHAUFFEUR
(in Shanghainese)
Look! For their love of bread these foreigners have to stand in line! They
are only allowed to withdraw twenty yuans a day from the bank. They
can no longer afford ham, so they settle for dry hard bread!
INT./EXT. YEE'S CAR - KEISSLING'S CAFÉ – SHANGHAI - DAY
The car pulls over in front of the café. Wang gets out.
CHAUFFEUER
(In Shanghainese)
Shall I come back for you later?
MAI TAI-TAI/WANG CHIA-CHIH
No, you don't have to bother. I'll get a cab, no problem - thanks again!
Wang watches the car leave. She walks over to the café on the other side of the street.
Cautiously she takes in her surroundings.
INT. KEISSLING CAFÉ – SHANGHAI - DAY
Wang pushes open the door and enters the posh Russian café.
A waiter approaches and motions her to an empty table.
WAITER
(in English)
Please.
She removes her hat and coat, looks out the window and checks that the car is gone, then turns and sits down at a table.
The café is practically empty, except for an elderly Western couple. Tango music plays on the radio. A waiter saunters over.
MAI TAI-TAI/WANG CHIA-CHIH
(in English)
Coffee please.
WAITER
Sure.
She looks out the window. Coffee is served. She looks at her watch - it's
almost four.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
May I borrow your phone?
WAITER
Of course.
The waiter points at the counter. She looks up and sees the phone on the bar counter. Two Russian chefs on break are drinking liquor and chatting
in Russian. She hesitates for a moment, then walks over to the phone.
She picks up the phone and dials.
A waiter behind the bar is drying glasses. After four rings, Wang hangs
up. She mutters to herself before dialing again.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
That's odd - did I dial the wrong number?
Wang dials again. It rings, a click is heard and someone answers.
K’UANG YU-MIN (O.S.)
Hello?
Wang speaks in Cantonese.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Hi! Second Brother! It's me!
Wang deliberately turns her back to the two Russian chefs who have been eyeing her with interest.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I'm calling from Keissling Café. Everything okay at home?
Two new customers walk in the door. Wang stiffens a bit.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I'm fine! - Just too busy to call!
Wang eyes the couple, now seated.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I plan to pick up that package today. Yes, it's all set- for now!
Wang stops for a moment and glances at the bare trees outside. The air is cold and damp.
Passersby walk on briskly.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
(pause)
Yes...
A moment of silence.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Anything - else ?
Intercut:
We finally see who she's talking to:
INT. SUNRISE BOOKSTORE - UPSTAIRS ROOM – SHANGHAI -
SAME
We're in the stockroom upstairs of a crammed bookstore -- piles of books everywhere. A handsome young man, K’uang Yu-min, speaks into the
phone.
K’UANG YU-MIN
...No...nothing.
INT. KEISSLING CAFÉ - CONTINUOUS
WANG CHIA-CHIH
...I guess I'd better leave now... All right. See you later!
Wang Chia-chih holds the phone in her hand, then gently hangs up, and
walks back to her table. She sits, and stirs her coffee.
INT. SUNRISE BOOKSTORE - UPSTAIRS -- CONTINUOUS
K’uang Yu-min hangs up the phone and is silent for a moment.
Wide:
A group of men, some standing, some sitting on makeshift seats, waits
for him to say something. A young woman stands among them.
He nods.
K’UANG YU-MIN
It's now.
The men rise. A couple of them check their guns in their holsters. Two
others take smallaxes, hide them in their long sleeves. There are others in the room, watching the preparations nervously, whom we will recognize
later on, including the young woman, Lai Hsiu-chin, and some other young men, Ou-yang, Liang, Huang Lei.
INT. KEISSLING CAFÉ - LATER
Wang sits at the table, takes a bottle of perfume from her purse, dips in a glass rod and puts a few drops behind her ears.
She dips once more and puts some on her wrists.
Wang looks out of the window. We hold on her face, quietly searching the crowded street.
Fade out.
TITLE: Four Years Earlier
EXT. NARROW ROAD IN COUNTRYSIDE-- OCT. 1938 -- DAY
A convoy of trucks, packed with students from Lingnan University fleeing
for Hong Kong ahead of the oncoming Japanese troops, pulls over to let
pass a military column of young men in uniform heading for the front.
The students cheer them on, waving and shouting. The soldiers wave
back. Lai Hsiu-chin, a vivacious young student, suddenly jumps up, waving her handkerchief.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
(yelling)
Go beat those Japanese and when you come back we'll marry you!
Everybody tries to pull her back into the truck, while they giggle.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
I said we, not I, right? Well, the men all go off to war. Who'll be left to
marry us?
The girls giggle, swaying and bumping against each other.
Wang Chia-chih sits among them, young, almost non-descript. She
blushes but smiles along with the other girls.
EXT. ALONG THE ROAD BY A BROKEN BRIDGE. - EVENING
At sunset all the trucks are backed up at a broken bridge. The students mill around waiting for the bridge to be fixed.
The teacher and truck driver study the map looking for alternative routes.
DRIVER
We can take this detour to Hong Kong.
TEACHER
The route doesn't matter, I just have to get these college kids there
safely.
K’uang Yu-min, whom we saw at the bookstore earlier, runs and yells to
the students.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Those who can help should come with me! Don't just stand there.
Rising smoke can be seen in the distance.
Later:
LAI HSIU-CHIN
The farmers' wives have cooked us sweet potatoes!
Lai and some female students are lugging over big pots of sweet potatoes donated by the peasants nearby.
Later:
The students huddle in small groups, refugees, sharing the food quietly.
Wang looks up at the darkening sky. The mountains slowly dissolve into
shadows.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
Isn't your father in England? Why didn't he take you with him?
WANG CHIA-CHIH
He took my brother. After Mother died, he said he'd send for me. I waited for two years, and now, the war.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
I'll never go back home! This war gave me the chance to leave - and from Hong Kong, maybe I'll go and see the world.
EXT. HONG KONG UNIVERSITY -- NOVEMBER 1938 -- DAY
To establish: panoramic view of the city of Hong Kong with Hong Kong
University perched in the hills above.
EXT. HONG KONG UNIVERSITY CAMPUS -- LATE AFTERNOON
Hong Kong students file out of the lecture rooms as Lingnan students
wait to use their classrooms.
Wang and Lai walk together in the corridor.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
Meet you after class by the pond this evening?
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Okay.
K’uang Yu-min approaches.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Hi, Lai Hsiu-chin. I was hoping to run into you.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
K’uang Yu-min, you remember me?
K’UANG YU-MIN
Of course, I saw you on stage, with the women's theater group at
Lingnan.
(hands Lai a flyer)
We just started a new drama club. Auditions tomorrow afternoon.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
But the women's group has never acted with men.
K’UANG YU-MIN
We're guest students here. There are so few of us already - we must work together.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
(excited)
Then let's do Ibsen's "A Doll's House"! I know Nora's lines inside out!
K’UANG YU-MIN
At times like this, who needs that kind of bourgeois drama! We want to
put on a patriotic play, something to raise money for the resistance!
(notices Wang)
Why don't you come to the audition too?
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Oh, thank you, but I'm only a freshman. I haven't done much acting
before.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Who cares! We must all pitch in. Our soldiers are fighting the enemy at
the front, while these Hong Kongers continue with their lives of leisure.
(a sincere smile, a slight wave of his fist)
We have to wake them up with our drums and gongs!
K’uang walks away.
EXT. THE POND, HONG KONG UNIVERSITY -- AUTUMN -- NIGHT
Later, Wang and Lai chat by the pond.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
Typical of directors - never listens to anyone else.
But since it's for the resistance, I suppose we women really shouldn't fall
behind -- but we'll probably just have to do what he says.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
He seems very passionate.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
His brother graduated from Whampoa Military Academy, but died fighting
the Japanese. So his parents forbade him from enlisting in the army.
That's why he's so worked up.
EXT. HONG KONG STREET -- NIGHT
The girls walk down some steep steps towards the city. Lai Hsiu-chin sings as they walk.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
(singing)
The wind blows my hair.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I better just concentrate on my studies.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
Come on! I know you want to be on stage just as much as me.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
But in Lingnan all I did was run lines for you upperclassmen. The instructor said I needed to work on my voice.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
Don't worry about it -- just yell so the last row can hear you!
Lai Hsiu-chin and Wang Chia-chih both begin to sing again.
LAI HSIU-CHIN/WANG CHIA-CHIH
(singing)
How can I not think about him?
INT. HONG KONG UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM -- EVENING
K’uang Yu-min and some other students in the theater group, including Liang Jun-sheng (pudgy, a bit sleazy looking) and Ou-yang (a bit older, and already slightly balding) are rigging some lighting. They strain to lift the
array, as Lai, and some of the other girls stop to watch. Wang Chia-chih is reciting under her breath, trying to remember her lines.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
(mumbling to herself)
I give myself back to the land that nurtured me. In my soul...
K’uang directs the placement of the lights.
K’UANG YU-MIN
To the left, more to the left, more... That's it!
Good, that's it, now try!
Suddenly, the theater goes dark, except for a dim spotlight on K’uang.
Everyone quiets down -- an unexpectedly magical moment.
Wang watches K’uang, enchanted.
The light dims.
INT. STUDENT HOSTEL ROOM – HONG KONG – DAY
The cramped room, filled with bunk beds.
Wang sits at her desk, books and papers spread out before her, a
wrinkled letter in her hand, a photograph of a Chinese man with an English woman. She appears to have been crying, or at least holding back tears.
Lai rises from her bed.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
What is it?
Wang holds up the letter.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
My father got remarried. I'm writing him my congratulations.
Wang seals her aerogram, and walks out alone.
INT. HONG KONG CINEMA. SUMMER. DAY
In the pitch-dark cinema, Wang sits alone, crying, watching the movie, an American melodrama.
EXT. OUTSIDE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM --
SPRING -- NIGHT
A large crowd of audience members file into the auditorium.
INT. BACKSTAGE AUDITORIUM -- EVENING
It's a madhouse.
Wang concentrates while she draws three lines across her brow.
K’uang does the same.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Once you put on the make up, you are no longer yourself.
Liang Jun-sheng, while putting on Ou-yang's make up, steals a glance
over at Lai Hsiuchin changing into her costume.
Wang, dressed in peasant clothes, wends her way to her starting position. The rest of the cast is ready and waiting.
Huang Lei hits the gong three times.
The curtain rises. A packed house. The Village Chief (Ou-yang) enters with the wounded K’uang Yu-min.
VILLAGE CHIEF
(knocks)
Mother Chao -
A village girl (Wang Chia-chih) quickly opens the door.
VILLAGE CHIEF
They found this officer on the mountains.
MOTHER CHAO/ LAI HSIU-CHIN
Little Hong, is that your brother coming home?
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Shhh. Come on -- hurry in.
The Village Chief brings the officer into the house.
VILLAGE CHIEF
Be careful.
MOTHER CHAO/ LAI HSIU-CHIN
Oh my son! Hurry, go put on some hot water. How
can you be wounded so badly?
VILLAGE CHIEF
He is an officer, not your son.
Later:
Evening light and shadow illuminate the stage. The Mother talks to herself on the doorsill, facing the audience.
MOTHER/LAI HSIU-CHIN
My son is coming home tonight, home for dinner!
Let me kill a chicken to make him strong! My son is coming home, coming home tonight! My son is coming home, my son is going to come home. -
Here, coo… coo - come here.
The Mother runs around the empty courtyard, clucking for a nonexistent
chicken.
Wang Chia-chih has entered from the wings, accompanied by K’uang,
dressed in an officer's uniform. After two days' rest, he is leaving. Wang
takes her scarf and offers it to him.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Since Mother learned of my brother's death, she's been sick.
K’uang nods and looks at her sympathetically.
In the wings Liang Jun-sheng places, with great care, the turntable needle onto an LP. He holds a microphone next to the turntable, and music wafts through the hall.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I just finished knitting this for my brother, only - only he won't need it any more.
(with tears)
Please take it with you!
K’UANG YU-MIN
I can't. You saved my life and I have nothing to give you in return.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
You've given everything to save China! Every time you kill an enemy, you
are avenging my brother! I am only sorry that I am a girl. I need to take
care of my mother, and I promised my brother he would never have to
worry...
K’UANG YU-MIN
Your brother...
WANG CHIA-CHIH
He was the same age as you. Since Father died, he carried the whole family on his shoulders—he was such a fast worker that during harvest he was
always the first to finish and had time to help the others. He was strong
like you...I followed him everywhere! He said heaven would always protect
honest folks!
(sees tears welling in K’uang's eyes)
He was our only hope!
Suddenly Wang drops to her knees.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Let me bow to you on behalf of our country, my dead brother, and our
nation for generations and generations to come! China will not fall!
Choked with emotion, Wang's voice resonates around the hall. Audience
members begin to stand and clap.
K’uang stoops to help her up. The two look at each other, holding hands.
AUDIENCE
(shouting)
China will not fall!
INT. NOODLE SHOP—HONG KONG - NIGHT
Outside, noodles are cooking over high flames. The friends drink up in real celebration.
THE GROUP
Bottom's Up!
HUANG LEI
That was so great! A thousand people shouting "China will not fall!"
(raises his glass)
China will not fall! China will not fall! China will not fall!"
K’UANG YU-MIN
Come on - only six hundred seats...plus some standing in the aisles...
Frankly, I underestimated those Hong Kong students.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
The audience back in Lingnan was never this excited!
WANG CHIA-CHIH
(earnestly)
Our story is our own story, which the audience can identify with. That's
why they were so moved! I saw many of them still drying their eyes
outside, making donations.
K’UANG YU-MIN
A toast to all of you! Finally we raised some donations, now we can really
do something!
HUANG LEI
Let's drink it up tonight, and worry about the country tomorrow! Big
Brother, Ganbei! Ganbei!
OU-YANG
It's not just the resistance - it's our great acting that moved them...
LIANG JUN-SHENG
We should sell tickets, and on the front of the door have a big poster
saying "Hot Ticket."
HUANG LEI
The tickets will be hot, not because of you, but because of her.
(looking at Wang Chai Chi)
Give me the bottle! Come, let's toast to our leading lady!
THE GROUP
Our leading lady - Cheers!
WANG CHIA-CHIH
No, no. I'm not! Cut it out!
Everyone laughs.
EXT. STREET IN HONG KONG - NIGHT
The friends, arm in arm, saunter down the street in the drizzly night,
singing patriotic songs.
THE GROUP
(singing)
There are clouds in the sky. Students in sweet youth today, Pillars of
society tomorrow. Tomorrow we'll make waves to save our nation, Huge
waves, huge waves, forever surging! Fellow students, fellow students—
Come forward with your strength now, And take into our hands the fate
of our land! Huge waves, huge waves, forever surging!
A double-decker arrives and they scramble onboard.
THE GROUP
Hurry Up! Hurry!
K’uang climbs straight onto the upper deck, with the others following.
Ou-yang produces a cigarette ceremoniously from his pocket. Huang Lei
proffers a lighter. They crowd around to light the cigarette.
LIANG JUN-SHENG
Is it lit? Ah!—
They take turns smoking the cigarette. Lai also takes a puff and passes it to Wang . Wang hesitates, not knowing how to smoke.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
You can't be an artist and not smoke! Just try - it comes in handy
onstage.
Wang reluctantly takes a puff, and instantly coughs out the smoke.
Lai holds the cigarette and runs back to the others.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
Guys! Wang just smoked her first cigarette! Who's next?
The young men all reach for it.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
What the...? Oh, the hell with you -
THE GUYS
Me next! Now me! My turn!
Wang closes her eyes as the bus drifts through the night, indulging
herself in the soft rain, while streams of bright street lights race by.
K’uang comes up and sits beside her.
She turns to him.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Hey.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Hi.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Thank you—
WANG CHIA-CHIH
For what?
A good-natured, bashful look on K’uang's face. Without saying anything,
they look at each other and smile.
Lai Hsiu-chin watches them from her seat in back.
INT. HONG KONG UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM - DAY
Wang walks out onto the empty, dimly lit stage. It's strewn with pieces of the half-struck set. No one is there.
She stands there, in silence, for a moment.
K’UANG YU-MIN (V.O.)
Wang Chia-chih!
Wang looks up and sees the rest of the group up on the balcony,
Lai among them.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
Come on up!
Cut to later, on the balcony, K’uang is holding forth:
K’UANG YU-MIN
I ran into this guy, Tsao De Hsi, the other day, a guy from my hometown
in Tsao Ching. He used to hang around the same school as my brother.
We go back a long way. I hear that Tsao now works as an assistant to
some bigwig in the Peace Movement named Yee.
K’uang keeps his voice very low. The others have to gather close to hear
him.
K’UANG YU-MIN (CONT'D)
He's one of Wang Ching-wei's lackeys -- actually his top agent. Yee is
hiding out in Hong Kong now.
HUANG LEI
Wang Ching-wei and his so-called "Peace Movement"— running dogs for
the Japanese! He's a traitor!
K’UANG YU-MIN
That's right. They're recruiting all over the place, and Yee is handling it for him in Hong Kong. What luck I bumped into Tsao -- what a chance for us!
A confused silence.
OU-YANG
Uh, a chance for what?
K’uang pauses.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Listen, this is no longer theater club, or shouting slogans. What's
wrenching tears from the audience, when we could eliminate a flesh and
blood traitor! Summer break is coming. We can do some real acting -- you change your identities, infiltrate Yee's group. I let Tsao believe I was still
friendly with him, maybe he'll introduce me. We could get some guns...
They exchange looks, fearful and excited.
LIANG JUN-SHENG
But what do we know about killing people? Our only experience is on
stage!
K’UANG YU-MIN
When you are faced with a real traitor, the killing will come naturally. We
should rather worry about how many and how soon we will kill!
And if we're caught, it's the firing squad! So think it through -- once
you're in, you're in all the way!
That's what being young is all about!
HUANG LEI
(slaps his palm on top of K’uang's hand)
I'm in!
OU-YANG
Me too!
(joins his hand with the others)
Huang quietly puts his on the pile.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
Then we must also...
K’UANG YU-MIN
I'm not forcing anyone to join.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
(placing her hand on top)
I'm with you.
INT. BROTHEL—HONG KONG—SUMMER 1939 - NIGHT
Two prostitutes sit with K’uang, Liang, and Tsao, drinking and playing a
drinking game.
This scene is all in Cantonese.
Tsao drunkenly puts his arm around K’uang.
TSAO
Say, brother -- so good of you to look me up --
K’UANG YU-MIN
So great to meet up again after all these years away from home. Let's
drink to that!
TSAO
Ah, if we can't go home, at least we can meet somebody from home!
Bottoms up!
LIANG JUN-SHENG
Cheers to Brother Tsao! Thanks for looking out for us!
TSAO
I'll see what I can do. Hong Kong's not easy.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Any chance for me with the organization, brother?
I could use some work.
TSAO
(laughs)
Tough job—I'll see.
EXT. RED LIGHT DISTRICT-- HONG KONG - NIGHT
K’uang walks down the narrow stairway, looking upset. He meets Huang
Lei, Lai and Wang on the street. Huang Lei looks back towards the
brothel.
HUANG LEI
Where's Liang?
K’UANG YU-MIN
Still up there.
HUANG LEI
What's he doing? We only have enough money to pay for that Tsao guy!
K’UANG YU-MIN
Maybe he can get more info...
They all look back up at the windows of the brothel. Human shadows from the rooms, whores giggling.
HUANG LEI
From them?
INT. SNACK BAR— HONG KONG—SUMMER 1939 - DAY
An electric fan twirls. Cantonese music on the radio.
LIANG JUN-SHENG
Tsao said the wives stick to their apartments and play mahjong round the clock.
HUANG LEI
A whole session and that's the only dirt you got?
K’UANG YU-MIN
(shoots him a dirty look)
Maybe venturing out is too risky for them, so they don't go out much.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
If they don't come out, what shall we do?
OU-YANG
We should send them a mahjong partner! A fake rich lady to play mahjong in their home -
HUANG LEI
Right! Then lure him out with this pretty lady -
K’UANG YU-MIN
Stop joking around -
LAI HSIU-CHIN
Mahjong—that's beyond me!
K’UANG YU-MIN
Maybe tomorrow I can get—
Before K’uang can finish, Wang suddenly speaks, very softly.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I know how to play mahjong! We had mahjong at home. I started playing when I was ten, to make up the foursome!
(smiles)
I've seen how those rich ladies behave at the mahjong table, how they
talk...
All heads turn to Wang.
EXT. RENTED APARTMENT—HONG KONG—SUMMER 1939—DAY
A car is parked outside an apartment building. The group examines its
luxury facade.
HUANG LEI
The foreigners have left for the summer. We can rent the second floor for a couple of months.
INT. RENTED APARTMENT - HONG KONG -- DAY
Huang opens the door with a key. They enter. K’uang pulls Huang Lei
aside.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Where's all this money coming from?
HUANG LEI
I told you -- my old man has a pile stashed in Hong Kong. He told me I
could use it in an emergency!
K’UANG YU-MIN
I never said such a posh place.
HUANG LEI
But you wanted Ou-yang to be Mr. Mai the business man, with Wang
Chia-chih as his rich wife Mai Taitai, then they have to be living in an
apartment like this!
Ou-yang checks out the place.
OU-YANG
A bit of fixing up here, some new furniture there...
Lai Hsiu-chin can wear a ponytail and be the servant...And a mustache for Mr. Mai, maybe?
Liang discovers some girlie magazines left behind in the bathroom.
LIANG JUN-SHENG
Ou-yang!
Ou-yang pops in.
LIANG JUN-SHENG
The owner left them!
The two settle down to pore over the magazines. Huang Lei joins them.
EXT. YEE'S RESIDENCE— HONG KONG— SUMMER 1939— DAY
A car pulls up at a gated compound. In the front seat sits Yee's assistant Tsao, next to Huang Lei, who drives, dressed in livery. The car stops.
Tsao gets out.
TSAO
(in Cantonese)
Wait here!
Two plainclothes guards exchange signals with Tsao as he enters the compound.
Huang Lei looks in the rearview mirror at Ou-yang. He leans over to straighten Ou-yang's tie.
HUANG LEI
And don't wipe your mouth with it - it's my best tie!
K’UANG YU-MIN
(seriously)
Stop horsing around! This is not a rehearsal – there are no do-overs!
Always remember what role you're playing before opening your mouth!
Say only the absolute minimum. The more said, the easier it is to slip!
WANG CHIA-CHIH
You too.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Here they come!
From the side mirror Wang watches Yee Tai-tai, accompanied by a
bodyguard. Both sport dark shades.
K’uang Yu-min opens the door for her.
TSAO
Mr. Mai, Mrs. Mai, and Mr. Mai's cousin K’uang Yu-min, from my
hometown!
YEE
Pleased to meet you.
TSAO
This is Mr. Yee, and Yee Tai-tai!
YEE
(to his wife)
Go with them and have fun.
(to the people in the car)
You'll have to excuse me now.
Yee bends slightly to greet everyone, catching a quick glance of Wang.
She smiles back at him briefly before he turns to go.
Yee Tai-tai gets inside the car and immediately notices its posh interior.
YEE TAI-TAI
So sorry to bother all of you! You came all this way to fetch me! Tsao told me you knew Hong Kong well, otherwise we could have used my
husband's car.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
No bother, no bother at all! Would Yee Tai-tai like to shop around Central?
YEE TAI-TAI
After two months in Hong Kong, all I know is Central and Repulse Bay. It's embarrassing!
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Then let's go to Tsim Sha Tsui. We can shop there.
YEE TAI-TAI
Okay.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(To Huang Lei, in Cantonese)
To Tsim Sha Tsui!
HUANG LEI
Yes.
Huang Lei starts the car.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(To Ou-yang)
Drop us first and then go back to your office. You wouldn't mind being a
little late, would you?
YEE TAI-TAI
We mustn't retain Mr. Mai from his work!
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
It's all right - it's his family's company!
YEE TAI-TAI
Mr. Mai's line of business is -
OU-YANG
Eh—export!—some import also -
Ou-yang is stuttering, Wang quickly steps in.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
You have such a lovely place here, Yee Tai-tai!
(to Ou-yang)
We didn't see this one when we went house hunting.
YEE TAI-TAI
We're only renting. When the war broke out on the mainland, we had to
move here in a hurry. Mai Taitai is from Hong Kong?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I came over to get married. My hometown is Kwantung. My mother is from Shanghai.
YEE TAI-TAI
(in Shanghainese)
Then you must know the Shanghai dialect!
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(switches to Shanghainese)
Yes, I do, but not very well— I've forgotten most of it!
Yee Tai-tai brightens up at the sound of Shanghainese.
YEE TAI-TAI
(in Shanghainese)
I was originally from Anhui province. My Shanghainese is also so-so!
EXT. DEPARTMENT STORE—HONG KONG—DAY
The two ladies, shaded by their pretty umbrellas, shopping. K’uang
follows, two shopping bags in hand.
YEE TAI-TAI
Thank you so much! Sorry to bother you! You are even carrying my
things!
K’UANG YU-MIN
No bother - my pleasure!
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
He's my cousin—it's quite all right! He also arrived in Hong Kong not too
long ago. I let him tag along, so he gets to know the place as well.
YEE TAI-TAI
What was your line of business in Kwantung?
K’UANG YU-MIN
I was a teacher—in a village school.
YEE TAI-TAI
No wonder! I thought you looked educated - either a college student, or a teacher!
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Yee Tai-tai, you're so observant!
INT. DEPARTMENT STORE—HONG KONG—DAY
Yee Tai-tai picks out a handbag.
YEE TAI-TAI
Very pricey—but the leather is superb!
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
That price is for foreign customers only. That's Hong Kong for you! Even
in the department stores you have to bargain these days. Let me talk to
her.
Wang brings the handbag over to bargain with the saleslady.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(in Cantonese)
Excuse me! I'd like to get this
(lowering her voice)
for my aunt, but she won't accept it because it's too expensive! Give me a better price so I can talk her into it!
SALES LADY
(giving her a look)
One hundred and twenty.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Still so high! I know it's imported, but now with the war, the trend is to
buy patriotic goods. People
would rather not be seen with imported things.
The saleslady knows she's been had.
INT. RENTAL APARTMENT—HONG KONG—SUMMER 1939—NIGHT
The group is sitting, discussing the day's events.
OU-YANG
You see all those plainclothes security? There's no way to get him at the
house.
K’UANG YU-MIN
But you saw, when he left, he had a driver and a guard. We'd still have to deal with them, even if we lured him away. It'll take more than one of us
shooting.
OU-YANG
That's still got to be better than trying for him at the house -- it's an
armed camp there.
K’UANG YU-MIN
We just have to be patient. We've made contact --
and that Yee Tai-tai has really taken to Wang. She's already asked her
back!
Wang Chia-chih stands and turns towards the bedroom.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Sorry everybody - I'm tired.
She unbuttons her chipao collar as she walks into the bedroom.
K’uang goes to a table and takes out two very old, very clunky handguns and ammo.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Tonight, Huang and Liang will take first shift on guard.
HUANG LEI AND LIANG JUN-SHENG
Of course. No problem.
INT. RENTED APARTMENT -- BEDROOM -- NIGHT
LAI HSIU-CHIN (O.S.)
Wang Chia-chih can I come in?
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Sure.
Wang is carefully taking off her silk stockings as Lai enters, carrying a silk dress.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
I rushed the tailor.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Thanks.
Wang opens a purse, takes out two cigarettes, offering one to Lai.
They share a match, sitting on the edge of the bed, smoking in silence.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
This Yee guy, what's he look like?
Wang just shrugs her shoulders, thinking.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I only caught a quick glimpse. Not exactly what I imagined.
INT. YEE'S RESIDENCE— HONG KONG—SUMMER 1939 - NIGHT
The clack of mahjong tiles. Wang plays with Yee Tai-tai and two of her friends, Hsiao Tai-tai and Chu Tai-tai.
HSIAO TAI-TAI
The cook just disappeared on us -- just like that! He didn't steal anything, but poof! He just disappeared.
It spooked Old Hsiao, though -- we haven't set foot in the house in five
days, been staying at the Peninsula until they find us another house.
He says it isn't safe.
YEE TAI-TAI
You can't trust any of them here. And these Cantonese -- they don't
understand a word I say!
HSIAO TAI-TAI
What depresses me is there's no one who can cook Shanghainese like that cook. You know how picky that husband of mine is!
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
There's one restaurant in Hong Kong that has great Shanghainese cuisine. They've got the best drunken chicken, and scallion carp too.
YEE TAI-TAI
Really! You must take us there! Just then, Yee Tai-tai sees her husband at the doorway.
YEE TAI-TAI
Oh, Old Yee! Mai Tai-tai is just telling us about a real Shanghainese restaurant here.(to the other women)
He's the picky one! Not even the top restaurants excite him.
He enters the room.
YEE
Oh really? Which one?
YEE TAI-TAI
What's it called again?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(trying to remember)
Chu Jia restaurant -- it's in Kowloon, run by the cooks from Tan Jia
restaurant in Shanghai.
Yee doesn't seem to take notice of her.
YEE
Yes, I think I've heard of it. (to his wife) I will be out late tonight. Please
remember that we are having company tomorrow. Good evening ladies.
He leaves again.
CHU TAI-TAI
Oh, a party? And why haven't we been invited?
YEE TAI-TAI
(lowering her voice)
He won't even tell me who it is.
HSIAO TAI-TAI
It must be Chen Pi-Chun! Wang Ching-wei's wife.
They want to set up their own government. Lao Hsiao has also been
approached.
CHU TAI-TAI
(smiles)
Really! That can only mean one thing - Mr. Yee will be promoted!
YEE TAI-TAI
Aiya!
Yee Tai-tai slams down a tile, smiling like a Cheshire cat.
EXT. YEE'S RESIDENCE—HONG KONG—SUMMER 1939 - DAWN
Wang exits the building and walks across the road toward the car.
She taps on the car window and Huang Lei, dressed as a chauffeur, wakes with a start.
She gets in and they drive off.
INT. RENTED APARTMENT - DAY
Huang Lei and Wang enter the apartment, waking the others. K’uang
looks worried.
K’UANG YU-MIN
It's late.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Mahjong. And I lost again.
She walks, exhausted, to the bedroom.
K’UANG YU-MIN
What about Yee? Was he there?
WANG CHIA-CHIH
For a minute. Then he left and never came back.
She takes off her earrings as she goes into the bedroom.
Huang goes to Liang, who is spread out on the couch.
HUANG LEI
Hey, move off. I'm exhausted!
EXT. SEASIDE -- HONG KONG -- EARLY MORNING
Early morning on a deserted beach. A few gun shots.
K’uang, Huang and Liang take turns with the two guns, trying to hit a couple of bottles placed on the rocks in a cove off the beach. They keep
missing. The gun shots set off a chorus of faraway dogs barking
Wang and Lai watch them, bored.
Finally, Ou-yang hits a bottle. He's at first startled, then breaks into a big grin.
OU-YANG
One bottle -- assassinated!
HUANG LEI
Hats off to you! It's been a month, and you're so thrilled about killing a
bottle or two. Why don't you just kill me, and save my old man the
trouble!
OU-YANG
Hey -
Huang shrugs off Ou-yang's arm and starts to walk off.
HUANG LEI
Apartment, car, mahjong, expensive shopping...
(to Liang)
And your whores. Is this hunting down traitors or summer camp? How
many fathers do I have? Wang Chia-chih needs her fancy outfits...
(to K’uang)
And you need to play resistance hero. What about me? I'm just a fucking driver by day, and a guard by night. My father has been asking around, to see if I'm shacking up with some dance girl or something. Now I hear he
wants to disown me. So guess what? You guys are on your own!
LIANG JUN-SHENG
(to K’uang)
We've got the guns. Why don't we shoot a couple of easy targets before school starts?
OU-YANG
We all joined on our own free will. Why are you attacking K’uang all of a
sudden? This takes patience, and planning...
LAI HSIU-CHIN
(referring to Wang)
Yes, but if Yee's not hooked he's not hooked! What can you do? You
can't just foist yourself upon him!
OU-YANG
You think you'd have a better chance?
Lai's eyes spit fire.
K’UANG YU-MIN
You're right about the money - if anyone, I should have foreseen the
consequences. And let's face it, we're amateurs. But we've spent all this
time and effort. We have access to Yee. Are we going to give up now? I
know the guards now, maybe I should just go do it, and take the
consequences myself.
HUANG LEI
Don't be silly. You think you can survive getting to that Yee guy on your
own?
K’UANG YU-MIN
That's my business!
He turns and walks away. Huang runs up and grabs him.
HUANG LEI
Listen, I was just letting off steam. Summer's almost over, I was just
worried that time is running out on us.
OU-YANG
(relieved)
All right. Let's head back guys.
EXT. YEE'S RESIDENCE— HONG KONG—SUMMER 1939
An afternoon rainstorm.
Wang gets out of a taxi and runs in small steps towards Yee's residence. Her umbrella flips in the wind.
A black umbrella opens in front of the main entrance. Mr. Yee stands beneath it, talking to his assistant.
YEE
The papers are in my study.
Yee sees Wang approaching. She takes shelter under his umbrella.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Oh, Mr.Yee!
Yee looks at her wet face and wet hair. He smiles.
YEE
Mai Tai-tai!
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
My car broke down half way, then this rain.
Without speaking, Yee takes a handkerchief from his pocket and gives it to her to dry her face.
He stands with her for a moment under the umbrella.
YEE
(to his assistant)
Accompany Mai Tai-tai inside.
The door opens behind them, and Tsao comes out with a packet of
papers. Yee takes them and gets into the car, as Wang goes inside.
INT. YEE'S RESIDENCE—HONG KONG—SUMMER 1939
The downpour continues.
Yee Tai-tai, Wang, and Chu Tai-tai sit languidly, bored.
YEE TAI-TAI
Hong Kong is so humid! You can squeeze water out just by making a fist!
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I must say Shanghai is not quite as bad. After all these years, I'm still not used to it here.
They hear the sound of the door.
YEE TAI-TAI
(yells)
Aiya, Hsiao Tai-tai,finally! -- I thought you'd never
come with this typhoon outside!
But it turns out to be Mr. Yee. He brushes the water off his clothes.
YEE TAI-TAI
Ah, you're back so soon?
YEE
The storm -- my appointment's been cancelled. Ah,
I see Mai Tai-tai and Chu Tai-tai are here.
YEE TAI-TAI
We were waiting for Hsiao Tai-tai. And you're just in time! We need a
fourth for mahjong!
YEE
I can't -- too much paperwork.
YEE TAI-TAI
Come, just this once! Old Yee, when was the last time you played?
CHU TAI-TAI
(chipping in)
Come on! Look how sweet Yee Tai-tai is with you!
YEE
Well, if you insist.
Later:
The storm rages outside, almost a typhoon.
The four of them are in the middle of a game.
YEE
Bei.
CHU TAI-TAI
Bei.
YEE
Chiwong.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Chi. Dongfun.
Wang takes a tile discarded by Yee, fiddling with it innocently. Yee is letting her have it, she knows, but is pretending not to notice.
YEE TAI-TAI
The fabric we got the other day? My husband actually likes it! But he
wants to change the tailor -know of anyone good?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Yes I do. They're good at both chipao and Western suits. We all go there.
YEE
Nan.
CHU TAI-TAI
Pung.
YEE TAI-TAI
Shall we try them? Old Yee could use a couple of new suits, couldn't you?
YEE
Whatever you say.
He focuses on the tiles before him.
YEE
Chitong.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Chi.
YEE TAI-TAI
Pung.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
But they're awfully busy with the tourists right now.
YEE TAI-TAI
It's not going to take months, is it?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
No. I'm an old customer, I can tell them to do you first.
YEE
Chitong.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Chi. Chuitong.
(takes out a notepad to write)
Why don't we do this - when Mr.Yee has a moment, just give me a ring, all right, Yee Tai-tai?
She tears off the paper with her phone number on it.
YEE TAI-TAI
Mai Tai-tai I have your number!
Wang leaves the paper in a nearby cake dish.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Pung. Shutiu.
YEE TAI-TAI
When the sales are on, let's go and get more material!
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I can tell Mr. Yee likes imported English wool. Too bad it never really goes on sale.
YEE
Is that so?
Yee puts aside a tile he's been fiddling with for a while. He takes a piece of cake and glances at the phone number.
Then casually he discards the tile.
It's Wang's turn. Just as casually she picks up the discarded tile.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(looks at the tile with slight astonishment, then breaks into a wide smile)
Aiya! Does this mean I won?
She flips over the tiles and glances at Yee Tai-tai.
YEE TAI-TAI
Well, you're lucky today!
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Really! The god of fortune is indeed here today!
INT. RENTED APARTMENT -- DAY
A gramophone plays loud dance music, as Ou-yang and Lai Hsiu-chin show off some fancy dance steps to the gang.
The telephone rings. Wang picks it up.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Hello?…Oh, It's you....Of course I recognized your voice.
The group quiets down. K’uang quickly switches off the music. All look at Wang.
INT. TAILOR SHOP -- HONG KONG -- DAY
A tailor drapes a jacket on Yee.
He stands in front of the mirror, with Wang next to him. Both are
reflected in the mirror.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(in Cantonese)
The collar can be a little more snug.
TAILOR
Okay. Looks better with the smaller collar.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
And the sleeves a little bit shorter.
Wang notices him looking at her in the mirror, and blushes slightly.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(to Yee)
The shorter sleeves look more energetic.
YEE
Whatever you say. I'm in your hands.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
It's the latest look - a close-fitting collar.
The tailor notes the corrections. Another assistant comes forward with a
beautiful chipao.
TAILOR
Ah, madam. We've made the alterations. Please.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I'll be right back.
The assistant leads her behind a changing area behind a curtain.
Yee walks towards the door, and hands some money over to Tsao.
YEE
Go get lunch. Don't wait for me.
TSAO
Yes.
Yee returns to the tailor.
YEE
Mai Tai-tai must be a very good customer.
The tailor looks confused -- perhaps it takes him a beat to understand
Yee's Mandarin.
TAILOR
(in Cantonese)
Hmmm?...Oh yes, very good, very good.
Wang walks back into the room in her new dress.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(in Cantonese)
Perhaps you took in a bit too much this time, I can hardly breathe!
Wang walks back and forth, showing off her slender body sheathed in the snug chi pao.
Yee studies her.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Yee Tai-tai actually picked this one first, and then decided against it. She
said it made her skin look sallow. So I took it for myself.
(checks her profile in the mirror)
Hmm. I suppose it's fine as is. Let me go and change.
YEE
(quietly)
No. Leave it on.
Wang hesitates - a moment of confusion, then triumph, as it sinks in.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Of course.
INT. PRIVATE CLUB AT REPULSE BAY - HONG KONG - DAY
Exclusive. The only other diners are three elderly English ladies at a faraway table. Yee speaks on the phone in a booth near the entrance to the
restaurant, while Wang sits and waits for him at a table, dressed in the
new chipao.
YEE
All right.
Yee puts down the phone and goes to the table.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Nothing serious, I hope! Yee Tai-tai -
YEE
Tsao's taken her to the doctor's. She complained of a headache as she
was leaving. I guess it's all that mahjong.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Little Mai doesn't like my playing either. We often argue about it. I told him men have endless outside distractions while we ladies have only shopping and mahjong. You'd think Mahjong should be ok, at least it keeps us at
home!
Yee smiles and takes a good look at Wang.
YEE
I hope I didn't interrupt anything when I called today...
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Little Mai is away in Singapore, so his friends came over to keep me
company.
(laughs)
More like to keep an eye on me. Your call gave me the perfect excuse to
leave.
YEE
Is that right?
Later, dinner is in progress.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Sometimes I don't mind doing things on my own.
Little Mai and I don't much like the same things.
MR. YEE
What do you like?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Going to the movies. Little Mai won't go with me, so I go by myself. He
and his friends only talk business. They don't like movies.
YEE
I don't go to the movies either.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Mr. Yee you are too busy. Movies are for people with time to kill.
YEE
No, it's not that. You see, I don't like the dark.
Wang gives Yee a quizzical look.
YEE
Would you like a drink?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I'll have a little to keep you company.
Yee pours her some brandy.
YEE
You've been so kind to us here in Hong Kong-- we know very few people.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Oh please - such trivial things!
YEE
But if you pay attention, nothing is trivial.
Wang sips her brandy. Yee takes in the kiss of lipstick on the glass
rim.
Wang looks around and finds no other diners.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
How come nobody comes here?
YEE
Because the food is so bad.
Wang puts down her fork and knife.
YEE
(chuckles)
My apologies! But it's a perfect place to talk, for no one is here to disturb you...Your husband, he works a great deal?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
For what, I have no idea. He's always away in Singapore or somewhere on business. But as they say, a man is fine as long as he's not in the house.
(asks smilingly)
True?
Yee smiles.
YEE
And what does he do there?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(flirtatious)
Why are you so interested in my husband? If he's so fascinating to you,
maybe I should bring him along next time? You men have so much to say to each other, but with women, you just make small talk!
YEE
(laughs)
Small talk like this - you have no idea - it's a luxury for me.
The lights dim. Waiters start placing candles on the tables.
YEE
I listen to men all day, so-called prominent politicians and the like, talking
their supposed serious talk. And you know what? No matter what high-
sounding words come out of their mouths, I see only one thing in their
eyes.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
And what's that?
YEE
Fear. But you...for some reason, you don't seem afraid... Are you?
Wang keeps her smile.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
How about you?
YEE
You're smart, but not so smart at mahjong.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
You're right. I always lose. Except when you let me win.
?With a smile, Yee lights a cigarette.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
May I -
Yee passes her a cigarette. The two move closer together. Yee lights the
cigarette for her.
EXT/INT. TAXI—HONG KONG - NIGHT
Wang and Yee sit in the back of a cab. A slightly awkward silence.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I'll pick up your suit when it's ready, or --
YEE
I'll call you.
Again silence. Yee takes another look at Wang.
YEE
Unfortunately, I have another appointment this evening. I still have a bit of time though. Allow me to drop you off first...You don't mind?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Of course not.
EXT. RENTED APARTMENT—HONG KONG— NIGHT
Liang is keeping watch on the balcony, when he sees the taxi pull up and
stop in front of the building. He sees Wang and Yee in the back, still
talking.
He makes a mad dash inside.
INT. RENTED APARTMENT – HONG KONG-- NIGHT
LIANG JUN-SHENG
They're here!
K’UANG YU-MIN
Lights off! Go out and keep an eye on them.
Lai quickly turns the lights out.
K’uang and Ou-yang run for their guns.
EXT. RENTED APARTMENT—HONG KONG-- NIGHT
Yee gets out of the taxi, comes around, and opens the door for Wong.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Thank you.
YEE
Please, I will see you to the door.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
You really shouldn't bother.
Yee hands some money to the driver, asking him to stay and wait for him, then walks with Wang up the driveway toward the apartment.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Fine with me. It's your appointment - just don't blame me if you're late.
INT. RENTED APARTMENT—HONG KONG-- CONTINUOUS
K’uang cocks his gun and stands in the corridor beside the door.
Ou-yang, gun in hand, presses with the others against the wall in the
living room.
EXT. RENTED APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Wang takes her keys from her purse. She turns and leans against the
door. With her eyes trained on him, she slowly spreads the keys out in her hand, picks out the right one, turns and thrusts it into the keyhole. Yee
watches. With a click, the door is unlocked.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
You and your appointment - otherwise - you could send the cab away and come in - for a cup of tea.
Wang twists her body around to look at Yee.
Yee smiles warmly.
INT. RENTAL APARTMENT— HONG KONG—AUTUMN 1939 - NIGHT
In the dark, all eyes are fixed on the door. We hear the muffled sounds of footsteps.
Then, silence.
The sound of the key in the door.
The door to the apartment opens slowly. We see Wang's silhouette as
light from the hallway spills into the apartment.
K’uang aims the pistol.
Wang closes the door behind her. It is pitch-dark.
She flips on the light. It's just her. The group is backed up against the
walls. K’uang's hand shakes -- the pistol is still pointed at her.
She takes it all in.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I need a drink.
Later:
A few drinks later, everyone is topsy-turvy on the sofas or sitting on the
floor, peanut shells all over the place.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
He's so cautious that he sent Tsao and the bodyguard away the minute he got to the tailors! He trusts no one, and that includes Tsao.
HUANG LEI
Simple! Next time you do just like today, and when you get him to come
inside, we'll finish him off with one shot!
WANG CHIA-CHIH
He would never come in -- that I know. He probably keeps some secret
apartments, hideaways for just this kind of thing. Maybe even Tsao has no
idea.
OU-YANG
Did he try anything?
Huang Lei slaps Ou-yang on the back.
HUANG LEI
Hey, Mr. Mai is jealous!
WANG CHIA-CHIH
(lowers her voice)
I knew what was on his mind. Otherwise he wouldn't have seen me to the door. Only he didn't dare come in, but he kept me for a good long while...
Wang's mind wanders off for a few moments. She sips her drink.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
(pretty drunk, almost to herself)
He said he'd call again. I wanted to lure him into a theater, where it's
easier for you guys to get away -but he's so cautious he won't go into
dark places!
When he calls again, then he'll be serious. Then I'll have him hooked. I'll be his mistress. But what shall I do? We have to think now. We have to think what we're going to do with him.
There's an awkward silence. K’uang gets up and goes to the balcony. One by one, the boys follow suit, Liang being the last to go, until Wang is left with Lai.
Lai turns to her.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
Would you know—what to do...
Wang looks at her.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
What to do with a man?
Wang is silent. For a good while. She lifts her head and sees the boys
smoking on thebalcony.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
So, you've already discussed it.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
Hm.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Which one?
LAI HSIU-CHIN
Liang is the only one with experience.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
With whores, you mean.
Lai Hsiu-chin nods.
Wang is silent.
Wang gets up and regards the boys outside. A bit unsteadily, she walks
back toward the bedroom.
INT. RENTED APARTMENT -- BEDROOM –HONG KONG-- NIGHT
Wang enters the room, and looks at herself in the mirror.
Slowly, she begins to undress, watching herself the whole time.
With the last of her clothes off, she goes to the bed and gets under the
covers.
The bedroom door opens, and Liang enters, bottle and glasses in hand.
LIANG JUN-SHENG
Want a drink?
WANG CHIA-CHIH
No.
He takes a big sip and puts the bottle on the nightstand. Nervously, he begins to unbutton his shirt and sits on the edge of the bed.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
The light.
He turns off the light, finishes undressing and then gets under the covers.
In the dark, we hear only his heavy breathing. Wang's eyes glow. He
reaches down to feel her but she pushes his hand away. Wang gasps and flinches as he quickly enters her.
After a moment of panic, Liang settles in to a grim, mechanical rhythm.
INT. RENTAL APARTMENT— HONG KONG - MORNING.
Lai dries her hair on the balcony.
K’uang and Huang Lei set the table for breakfast.
Wang comes out of the bedroom.
She walks toward the bathroom, pauses, looking perfectly normal.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I need to use the bathroom - anyone else...
No one says anything. Lai watches from the balcony.
Ou-yang quickly gathers his sudsy clothes and cedes the bathroom to her. He goes into the kitchen to continue his laundry.
Wang goes inside the bathroom and closes the door.
K’uang looks up. A moment later he sees Wang exit the bathroom and
return to the bedroom, firmly shutting the door behind her.
INT. RENTED APARTMENT -- BEDROOM -- DAY
Thick drapes block out the sun.
Liang and Wang are in bed, Wang on top, mechanically riding him.
LIANG JUN-SHENG
I think you're starting to get the hang of it.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Leave me alone.
She keeps at it.
Later:
Wang lies, alone, in the bed.
She gets up and goes over to the window, pulling open the drapes.
A sprig of bright green ivy pokes its head against the windowpane,
translucent against the afternoon sun.
INT. RENTED APARTMENT—HONG KONG-- AFTERNOON
K’uang goes over to Wang's bedroom door, hesitates, then knocks.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Wang Chia-chih—
Behind the door Wang is making up her eyebrows.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Time to eat.
K’uang's voice is feeble. He looks awful.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I'm not hungry.
K’UANG YU-MIN
We cooked congee.
Just then, we hear the phone ring. Wang jumps up and dashes out of the bedroom.
Ignoring the others, she grabs the phone breathlessly.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Hello!
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Ah, it's you, Yee Tai-tai! I called you a couple of days ago, but you were
out. I wanted to ask if you wanted to get your dress made? No? Why?
Wang's face darkens.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Moving back to Shanghai?…My congratulations to both of you! How about I come by? I can be there right now! Haven't heard from you for so many
days, I was going to drop by anyway! Then I'll go to the airport tomorrow -(sounding confused)
I should at least treat you to a farewell dinner!...
You're not leaving just like this? I…I...Oh well...okay...please give my
regards to Mr. Yee. Have a safe trip. Good-bye!
Wang hangs up and sits there, red lips slightly quivering. Everyone stares at her.
INT. RENTED APARTMENT—HONG KONG-- NIGHT
Lai climbs up to take down the curtains. Rental furnishings are stacked in one corner, trash in another.
Wang sits alone motionless at the table. The others move back and forth
in front of her, methodically packing and moving things. No one asks her
to help; no one looks at her.
Wang gets up and steps out the French doors onto the balcony. She
lights a cigarette with a practiced hand.
At first neither she, nor anyone else in the group, notices a figure slipping into the apartment and standing, his hands in his pockets, at the front
door.
He kicks the door closed behind him. Everyone stops at the sound of the door slamming.
It's Tsao, looking around the room, grinning.
TSAO
Moving out? I hope I'm not disturbing you guys.
He lets out a little laugh. The group senses danger.
TSAO
(to Huang Lei)
Little Huang, no longer a driver? Instead he's become a mover?
K’UANG YU-MIN
Tsao! What brings you here?
TSAO
Just thought I'd give my regards to Mr. Mai, and Mrs. Mai, and all the little Mai children. How cute you all are!
K’UANG YU-MIN
What are you getting at?
TSAO
I had my suspicions from the start. But I kept my peace until I could
see what your game was.
(nodding toward Ou-yang, who is wearing a Lingnan University t-shirt) SoMr. Mai is from Lingnan U?
K’UANG YU-MIN
You don't know what you're talking about.
TSAO
Oh yeah? Then how's this? You see, Yee just fired me -- So it's time for me to switch sides. I think the people you're working for would find me very valuable.
K’UANG YU-MIN
How much do you want?
TSAO
Hmmm. How about 10 taels of gold, for five heads?
(sees Wang on the balcony)
And that's not counting Mai Tai-tai. I'd expect a premium for her
from Mr. Yee!
K’UANG YU-MIN
You wouldn't dare!
TSAO
You're something else, brother! I had no idea you were a secret agent!
Why didn't you help me instead of using me, huh? After all, we're from the same village!
We cut to Wang, still standing outside, watching the figures in the harsh
shadows cast by the lamplights. Through the glass doors, she hears the muffled sounds of conversation.
She sees, from behind, K’uang's hand slowly reaching toward the dish
rack for a knife.
Suddenly, as, K’uang makes a move for the knife, Tsao pulls a pistol.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Tsao!
Wang's POV, her terrified face fleetingly reflected in the glass:
There's a scream from Lai, Ou-yang leaps and pushes Tsao, the dull thud of a gunshot, an inchoate struggle as a lamp falls and the gang leaps on
Tsao, trying to pull the gun from his hands, punching and kicking. The
action is almost comical, pathetic, but desperate.
Tsao rolls over and stands, trying to finger the trigger of his gun, as
K’uang runs to him, and with all his might, plunges the knife into his
stomach.
Wang pulls open the door and takes a step inside, as everyone else steps back from Tsao, stunned, silent.
Tsao looks down at the knife in his stomach.
Amazingly, Tsao, with great pain, pulls the knife out of his stomach. As he holds it up, Ou-yang grabs his arm. Liang takes the knife and slashes him with it. Blood sprays them all. As they recoil, Tsao stumbles to the door
and tries to pry it open, leaving a trail of blood.
The group follows him, watching, not quite knowing what to do.
He fumbles with the handle, and starts to bellow in pain.
TSAO
(painfully)
You!
K’UANG YU-MIN
You worked for a traitor, you should know what was coming!
Liang finally rushes after him with the knife, and stabs him in the back, as Tsao falls to his knees. Liang trips over him, and tumbles a few steps, now covered in blood.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
(trembling)
He's still alive.
Tsao still bellows like a pig. K’uang now goes to Tsao, and clumsily tries to break his neck. After a few tries, there's a crack -- then silence.
He's done it.
We hear Lai, wild-eyed, swallowing her screams. Everyone is panting,
hardly able to take in the horrifying scene.
Wang looks at all of them, each one in shock.
Slowly, she walks to the door, steps over Tsao's body, opens the door,
and leaves.
No one says a word.
She doesn't look back.
EXT. RENTED APARTMENT—HONG KONG-- NIGHT
She steps out into the night.
We stay on her face -- impassive, traumatized -- as she slowly walks
down the hill and away.
Fade out.
Title: Three Years Later
EXT. SHANGHAI STREET -- EARLY MORNING
A bird's-eye view of Shanghai, 1942. The Bai Du Bridge checkpoint, a
rising sun in the distant morning,.
Off the Bund, a neat row of tricycles, men off to work during the morning rush hour. Two corpses in suits are sprawled on the blood-stained street. A policeman stands guard.
People pass by with barely a glance, as a group of White Russian
prostitutes in shabby attire solicit from among the throng.
EXT. FOOD STORE IN ALLEY-- SHANGHAI. SPRING --
EARLY MORNING
The store is not yet open. Outside there is already a long line of people, of all looks and ages. They have been standing in line the whole night.
Wang Chia-chih, expressionless, is among them, her head lowered. Her
clothes are flimsy and half her face is hidden behind a head scarf. She
looks tired, her innocence long lost.
The wooden shutters of the food store finally are removed. The line begins to stir.
Later: it's Wang turn in front of the counter. She picks up a small sack of
low-quality rice.
Quickly she turns and walks away, passing by homeless people lying
around on the streets. Sanitation workers lift up an emaciated corpse into a cart.
EXT. SHANGHAI STREETS -- MORNING
Wang turns into an alley, passing by people with their night soil buckets to dump into the waiting cart. At the entrance to her building, someone is
stoking a coal-fired stove, sending off thick clouds of white smoke. Wang pushes open the back door and enters into the communal kitchen. She
pours the rice into her family container and locks it. Then she walks
upstairs.
INT. WANG'S AUNT'S HOUSE – SHANGHAI--DAY
Wang opens the door with a key and hears mahjong playing inside. Someone from the third floor greets her good morning.
NEIGHBOR
Good morning.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Good morning.
Mechanically, she closes the door.
A cramped space with good redwood furniture, betraying a once-glorious past. Two rooms are squeezed out of this tiny space, one of which has in the middle a mahjong table with four players. The table is padded with a
thick material, to minimize the noise.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
It's me, Aunt.
A middle-aged woman focusing on her tiles turns her head to look at her.
AUNT
Any mail from your father?
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I'll check later.
She goes into her room, picks up some books and readies to leave again.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I'm off to class!
MAHJONG PARTNER
(a glance at the aunt)
You still let her go to school?
AUNT
I sold the big house left her by her father! I promised to let her finish
school. I'm one who keeps her word!
The Aunt, cigarette in mouth and a jade bangle on her wrist, juggles her
tiles unhurriedly.
From her looks and style, we can tell that she once lived a life of luxury.
INT. LECTURE ROOM -- SHANGHAI UNIVERSITY--DAY
Simple words in Japanese are written on the blackboard. A Japanese
teacher in kimono gives lessons to a poorly attended class, Wang among
them.
EXT. SHANGHAI. MEICHI CINEMA - DAY
Wang stands in front of a movie poster. She pauses, reaches into her
pocket, and finds enough money to buy a ticket.
INT. SHANGHAI. MEICHI CINEMA - DAY
Wang watches the movie in the crowded cinema.
Suddenly, the movie is interrupted by a Japanese war newsreel, full of images of Sino-Japanese friendship. Everyone begins to chat and get up, ignoring the newsreel.
AUDIENCE MEMBER
I'm going to the bathroom.
INT. MEICHI CINEMA LOBBY--SHANGHAI-- NIGHT
Wang walks down the stairs, crosses the lobby and heads for the
entrance.
From a corner of the lobby, someone is watching her. It's Lai Hsiu-chin.
EXT. WANG'S AUNT'S HOUSE -- MORNING
Wang comes out of the house.
As she reaches the street, she bumps into someone. Looking up, she's
shocked to discover K’uang in front of her -- older, thinner, almost
haunted looking.
INT. SMALL TEA HOUSE—SHANGHAI-- EARLY SPRING 1942 -
DAY
Wang and K’uang sit in the upper floor of a small tea house.
K’UANG YU-MIN
We've all been through a lot.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I didn't expect you to be still alive.
K’UANG YU-MIN
I should be dead, if not for...
(pauses)
You never knew, did you?
WANG CHIA-CHIH
What?
K’UANG YU-MIN
In Hong Kong, we were being watched the whole time. That night, after
you left, they came and took care of the mess, and smuggled us out of
Hong Kong.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Who were they?
K’UANG YU-MIN
The 'Blue Shirts', from Chungking! The same ones who were responsible
for the assassination of the Mayor of Shanghai, Fu Xiao An, the Chief
Detective Lu Yun Kui and even the Minister for Foreign Affairs Chen Lu!
Now you know - how absurd we were! How childish!
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Especially me - How naive I was!
K’UANG YU-MIN
It was all my fault.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
We've all paid our dues. How is everybody?
K’UANG YU-MIN
They're all still alive.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Where are they?
K’UANG YU-MIN
Somewhere, I'm not supposed to say. I have been looking for you.
A pause.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
After what happened, I didn't go back to university. I went to teach at a
language school. It was like I lost all my memories. My father wrote and
said he couldn't afford to bring me to England. He sent me to Shanghai to stay with my aunt. These past years I've felt so empty, so hollow...
(smiles weakly)
So I insist on taking classes, even Japanese!
K’UANG YU-MIN
I'm glad you've gone back to school. That, to me, is closed forever.
It dawns on Wang that her bumping into K’uang was not accidental.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
So you've tracked me down -- just to say you're sorry?
K’UANG YU-MIN
There's a mission.
(in a low voice)
The job we all started with, it's still unfinished. Yee is now in charge of
Wang Ching-wei's secret service, really just a watchdog for the Japanese. He murders judges, professors, journalists and our agents. We missed
our chance three years ago - that was a bitter lesson. Now it's even more difficult, for he's well protected. We can't get to him.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
And so you bumped into me?
EXT. SUNRISE BOOKSTORE – SHANGHAI-- DAY
To establish. An old derelict neighborhood, watch repairmen and medicine men hawking their wares.
Piles of old books and magazines are stacked in front of a small bookstore.
K’uang is acquiring some used books by weight from an old man. Wang
approaches.
K’uang pays the seller and adds the books to a pile.
OLD MAN
Hey boss, come on, you can do better than that.
K’uang gives him a few more coins.
K’UANG YU-MIN
(to Wang Chia-chih)
Come with me.
(to some kids looking around the store)
Don't touch anything.
INT. SUNRISE BOOKSTORE –SHANGHAI -- DAY
K’uang leads Wang into the back of the bookstore. She notices Ou-yang
and Liang from her old Hong Kong days, busily stacking books. They see
her too, but avert their eyes.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Chia-chih, this way.
Up some old steps in the back. K’uang gives two short knocks.
The door opens, and Old Wu, a middle-aged man with a hint of dangerous cynicism, greets them, giving Wang a quick one-over.
OLD WU
Ah, Miss Wang, what a pleasure to meet you, finally! So much to do, of
course, so little time. We'll start from the beginning, but please do sit! I
trust K’uang has already briefed you? Yes, so can we get straight to the
point? Are you ready?
Wang nods, eyes trained on Old Wu.
OLD WU
Good. First things first, but also the last! Before you go on you mission,
you'll sew this into your clothes.
He takes out a tiny capsule.
OLD WU
In case you're caught.
K’UANG YU-MIN
(soothingly)
Just in case.
OLD WU
(eyes on Wang)
It will not be too painful, but you must move fast, before anyone gets to
your hands, yes?
Wang nods. Old Wu closely monitors her every reaction.
OLD WU
You have a good memory, yes? I'm going to tell you many things, and you must keep them in your head. Repeat them, until they sink in. Don't ask,
don't think, just remember everything, got it? You are Mai Tai-tai, you
have no relatives any more in Shanghai - you must remember this
important point. For our enemy, I'm afraid, has become even more
distrustful and cunning. Once he becomes suspicious, you'll be finished! I must warn you of that right now!
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I can do it.
Old Wu hands her a file.
OLD WU
This is your personal file. You married Mr. Mai four years ago. This is your marriage license, your anniversary date...
As Old Wu continues, we go into a montage of Wang's training and
preparation.
A tailor takes her measurements.
An agent shows Wang how to pick locks.
K’uang Yu-min teaches her how to load a pistol.
OLD WU (V.O.)
You moved from Garden Road to Johnston Road, and had to become a
runner to help out after Hong Kong fell and business went bad for Little
Mai --here's your home phone, husband's business phone, some Hong
Kong prices, your bank account number, ah yes, so many things to
remember!
Answer everything without hesitation - that's step number one! Once
you're on, there's no turning back, got it?
Wang bids farewell to her Aunt, suitcase in hand.
INT. SUNRISE BOOK STORE -- STOREROOM -- SHANGHAI -- DAY
Old Wu and K’uang wait for Wang. Old Wu is dressed in a business suit.
Wang enters. Old Wu gestures to a couple of expensive-looking suitcases.
Wang opens a suitcase, her hand lightly touching the finery inside, the
cartons of cigarettes and packages of medicine.
OLD WU
Go through your luggage - stockings, medicines --
remember their prices. My part is over, now it's your show. Any
questions?
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I wrote my father a letter. Please - after you read it -post it for me.
She hands the letter to Old Wu. He nods.
OLD WU
After the mission, we'll send you to England to join your father! All
right, now go behind that curtain and change. I'd like to meet Mai Tai-tai.
She takes a chipao and goes to a dressing area in the corner of the room, behind a curtain.
OLD WU
(to K’uang)
Is everything ready on your end?
K’UANG YU-MIN
The car is ready. The hotel, we've paid for one week in advance. Wang
Ching-wei's people all meet up there. Yee Tai-tai goes there often, so they are bound to run into each other.
While listening, Old Wu reads Wang's letter. Then he burns it and
throws it into the bin.
K’uang keeps quiet -- he expected this -- but he's almost sickened by the offhand cruelty of it.
Wang pulls the curtain back.
She's transformed -- the very image of Shanghai beauty. Old Wu holds
out his hand, holding a ring.
OLD WU
Your wedding band.
Wang stretches out her hand. She already has one on.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
My mother's ring, the one I wore three years ago. I'd better keep the
same one.
Old Wu smiles.
OLD WU
Mai Tai-tai, pleased to meet you!
INT. LIVING ROOM AT YEE'S RESIDENCE. SHANGHAI. WINTER
1942 - NIGHT
Yee comes home, exhausted and preoccupied. Though more withdrawn
and gauntlooking than in Hong Kong, his eyes remain as piercing as ever.
His assistant Chang follows behind, a dossier in hand.
The usual mahjong clatter.
Yee walks quietly upstairs.
YEE TAI-TAI (V.O.)
Let Mai Tai-tai know what you need and she'll bring it over from Hong
Kong.
Yee stops at these words.
YEE
Wait for me in the study - I'll be right there.
CHANG
Yes sir.
Chang nods and continues on.
Yee stays and listens.
YEE TAI-TAI (V.O.)
What a coincidence. I went with Liao Tai-tai to have dinner at the Great
East Asia Hotel and bumped into her! She's been back and forth to
Shanghai, and we never knew!
MAI TAI-TAI/WANG CHIA-CHIH (V.O.)
It's really my fault. I should have looked you up long ago, but my husband has kept me so busy with business here.
YEE TAI-TAI (V.O.)
We have so many extra rooms. Why waste money staying in a hotel?
Yee turns and walks into the mahjong chamber.
LIAO TAI-TAI
Ah, Hong Kong - haven't been there for a while!
Looking into the mahjong chamber, Yee studies Wang as she pulls up a
stool next to Yee Tai-tai to watch the game. He watches her in silence for a moment.
YEE TAI-TAI
Ah, there you are! Look who's here. You remember Mai Tai-tai, from Hong Kong?
Yee nods and smiles, warmly.
MAI TAI-TAI/WANG CHIA-CHIH
How are you Mr. Yee? I'm sure you don't remember me.
YEE
Of course I do. How is Mr. Mai? How's business?
MAI TAI-TAI/WANG CHIA-CHIH
Thanks for asking -- difficult.
(to Yee Tai-tai)
Mr. Yee seems to have lost some weight.
Ma Tai-tai, one of the ladies at the mahjong table, looks Wang in the eyes, studying her.
YEE TAI-TAI
I did ask him to think twice before accepting his post - you pay with your
life, and have to step on so many toes!
YEE
Stepping on others' toes is all right, but not on my wife's!
YEE TAI-TAI
(laughing)
Off with you!
YEE
All right - you ladies continue.
With this and a smile Yee leaves.
He heads for the study, looking back once.
In the Mahjong room, the discussion continues.
LIAO TAI-TAI (V.O.)
Listen to him, what a gentleman!
YEE TAI-TAI (V.O.)
He's just performing for you ladies!
Back to the mahjong chamber. Close-up on Wang listening and laughing
with the others.
The clatter of mahjong tiles.
LIAO TAI-TAI
Are we still going to East Asia for dinner tonight?
Aren't you tired of it?
YEE TAI-TAI
It's better to go there where we are protected by the Secret Service.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
It's that bad?
LEUNG TAI-TAI
Those crazy bombs! Things are really getting worse. On the streets, they shoot anybody.
YEE TAI-TAI
(to Wang)
Hong Kong should be better, no? How are things over there these days?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Always a scramble. Prices are up twenty percent.
And because of the war even the black market is drying up.
Yee Tai-tai offers cigarettes to Liao, and then to Wang.
YEE TAI-TAI
Oh wait, you don't smoke, if I recall.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(smiles)
In fact, I brought you some Marlboros. I left them in my bag, I almost
forgot!
YEE TAI-TAI
Aiyo! How can I thank you enough! We can't even get them on the black market here!
INT. HALLWAY IN YEE'S RESIDENCE-- SHANGHAI - NIGHT
Wang takes advantage of a break in the game to go upstairs.
CHANG (V.O.)
(exiting the study)
Minister, I understand.
Wang politely nods to Chang as she passes him in the hall.
Chang returns the courtesy. Wang walks upstairs, aware of Chang's gaze behind her.
INT. GUEST ROOM IN YEE RESIDENCE--SHANGHAI -- NIGHT
Wang enters the room. Her unpacked luggage is stacked by the bed. She opens a suitcase and takes out a few packs of cigarettes.
She turns, and is startled to find Yee standing in the doorway.
YEE
The room is small, but at least it's safer than a hotel.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I didn't want to bother you or Yee Tai-tai -
YEE
She likes having a mahjong partner around the house, and I'm hardly
home anyway.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Still so busy?
(looks him over)
You do seem to have lost quite a bit of weight!
Yee looks at her.
YEE
I find you somewhat changed also.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
It's been three years, imagine, and the war is still not over. For us to be
standing here, both alive, is already something…I've brought a few things with me. The cigarettes are a gift for Yee Tai-tai. I'm afraid I don't really
have a gift for you.
YEE
Your presence is itself a gift.
With a slight smile, he slips out the door.
EXT. SHANGHAI STREET -- DAY
Wang descends from a tricycle taxi onto the crowded thoroughfare. She
crosses the streetand hops onto a passing tram.
INT./EXT. TRAM CAR -- DAY
She sits down next to K’uang Yu-min. Discreetly, she hands him a piece of paper from her handbag.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(in a low, fast voice)
Here's the floor plan. Front entrance is sealed, only outlet is back door.
Two drivers, Guo and Yao. Guo drives for Yee Tai-tai. Amah and the other servants are all from the same village as Yee. The drivers never leave their cars, probably double as informers. Everyone is searched before getting in or out of the car.
K’uang Yu-min glances at Wang.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Yee Tai-tai as always brings people home to play mahjong - wives of high officials. They seem to know a lot. A certain Ma Tai-tai -- she's always
watching me, I don't know why...
K’UANG YU-MIN
And Yee?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Saw him only once. He's mostly out or in his study.
He's got a secretary, last name Chang.
K’UANG YU-MIN
What's his first name?
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I don't know yet.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Be careful!
WANG CHIA-CHIH
(pause)
I need money.
K’uang looks around, and at the same time passes her a magazine; hidden inside is an envelope containing money.
K’UANG YU-MIN
That's all for now.
(looks at Wang and smiles)
How come you play every day but never get better?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I can't concentrate.
Wang stuffs the magazine into her handbag.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
How are they? Huang Lei and everyone?
K’UANG YU-MIN
They're fine. They're thinking of you. You'll see them again after all this.
INT. YEE'S RESIDENCE -- DINING ROOM – SHANGHAI--
MORNING
Wang is having breakfast with Yee Tai-tai. A Ping-Tan ballad from
Soochow plays on the radio.
YEE TAI-TAI
Aiya, you should be glad you didn't go with me to the opera last night. I
came back with a headache!
Wang is reading the newspaper.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Which opera?
YEE TAI TA
Wu Jia Po! Aiya - it was out of tune and off beat, my god! The top artists are all hiding out in Hong Kong. So I told Old Yee, how could Wang
Chingwei's government win the hearts and minds of the people if
they can't even bring a good show to town, right?
Yee enters, dressed to go out, a gentle smile on his face.
YEE
Good morning, ladies!
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Good morning, Mr. Yee!
Yee sits down and sips his tea. He leans over and sees that Wang has
circled some movie listings in the paper.
YEE TAI-TAI
(to Yee)
That turtle shell medicine shouldn't be taken with tea.
(to Mai Tai-tai)
His feet are always cold at night. I have to warm them.
Yee Tai-tai smiles and laughs a little.
YEE
(annoyed)
I have a meeting soon. Do you have plans for today?
YEE TAI-TAI
Liao Tai-tai wants me to play Mahjong with her old mother.
YEE
(smiles)
I hope you'll not be forcing our guest along with you.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I've already been given leave. I am going to the movies this afternoon.
EXT. YEE'S RESIDENCE - SHANGHAI - DAY
A light drizzle fills the air as Wang walks under an umbrella, searching for a tricycle taxi, when a black sedan pulls up. Yee's chauffeur gets out to open the door for her.
CHAUFFEUR
(in Shanghainese)
It's rainy. Master told me to give you a ride.
A little surprised, Wang gets into the car.
INT. YEE'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
Wang sits in the car, studying the streets.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
This isn't the way to the Meichi Theater?
The driver says nothing.
EXT. APARTMENT HOUSE - SHANGHAI - DAY
The car turns into a quiet alley and stops by the back entrance of a small
but expensivelooking apartment house.
The chauffeur opens the car door, an open umbrella in hand. Wang exits
the car. He hands her an envelope. A squeeze and Wang can feel a key
inside. The envelope is marked 2A.
The driver takes her handbag and trench coat, searches them, and hands them back to her.
CHAUFFEUR
The car will wait for you.
Wang looks around and enters the building.
INT. APARTMENT HOUSE - HALLWAY -- SHANGHAI --
CONTINUOUS
Wang takes the stairs and stops in front of apartment 2A.
She puts the key into the lock. It fits. The door opens.
INT. APARTMENT 2A -- BEDROOM -- SHANGHAI -- CONT
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Anybody here?
There is no answer. Wang enters and closes the door behind her.
It smells musty inside the apartment –old velvet drapes, dust all over the place. A photo on the mantlepiece shows a white couple with two kids.
She walks into the bedroom. A window has been left open. It bangs in the wind, rain dripping down the wall beneath it.
She closes the window.
Sensing something, she turns around and gasps at the sight of Yee,
sitting in an arm chair,watching her.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Don't ever scare me like this again!
Yee just smiles. He lights a cigarette and takes a few puffs, watching her.
Finally, she walks to him, leans over, and, without taking her eyes from
him, gently takes the cigarette from his mouth, dropping it to the floor.
Yee stands up and grabs her head, trying to kiss her.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
My hair!
YEE
Are you going to play hard to get?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Is that how you like it?
(pause)
Sit down.
Yee reluctantly sits down again.
Wang walks over to the window and, bending over, slowly begins to take
off her stockings.
He watches her.
As she begins to unbutton her dress, he suddenly leaps up, grabs
her, and pushes her against the wall, ripping the side seam of her
chipao.
He flips her around face down onto the bed, unbuckles his pants, and
enters her from behind.
What follows is more or less a rape.
Her face opens, first in pain, then in an astonished, anguished mix of
anger and pleasure.
Later:
The light outside is dying; the rain has ended.
Yee dressed, sits in a chair by the bed, on which Wang lies, curled up,
quiet.
She turns and looks at him. He picks up her coat from the floor and places it on the bed.
YEE
Your coat.
He leaves.
She stares blankly, hardly seeming to notice. But then, an almost
imperceptible smile creases her face.
INT. FANCY RESTAURANT -- SHANGHAI -- NIGHT
After a meal, the Tai-tais sit in a private room listening to a pair of Ping-
Tan singers spinning their tales. On the floor are shopping bags from
Sincere Emporium. In the hallway outside the room their bodyguards
pace.
PING-TAN SINGERS
(singing)
They do not speak but secretly they wonder:
Why feelings go where feelings should not wander.
One is quiet with lowered head and racing heart
The other bows formally just to play his part.
She quivers with voice like honey.
He yearns with shattering folly
One says, Please -
The other says, Master -
The song continues throughout the following conversation.
Yee comes in to join them.
YEE TAI-TAI
Well, look who's here! Old Yee, how...
YEE
I'm hosting a party next door.
LEUNG TAI-TAI
Aiya, Mr. Yee caught us shopping!
MA TAI-TAI
What a rare honor. Stay and listen a bit!
YEE
Sure, just a little bit.
Wang barely registers Yee's presence.
MA TAI-TAI
You understand the singers' dialect?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
A bit. I used to hear Ping-Tan all the time when I was a girl...I miss it, you can't hear it in Hong Kong.
MA TAI-TAI
But now you're here.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Only for a while -- I have to go back to Hong Kong soon. Please tell me
what you need before I go. If I can make my way back, I'll make sure to
bring whatever it is.
Yee overhears.
INT. YEE'S HOUSE -- HALLWAY – SHANGHAI—MORNING
Wang walks down the hall alone. She checks the dining room -- no sign of Yee. His hat is gone from the rack. Lost in thought, she's startled by
Amah's voice.
AMAH
Would madame want some breakfast?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
No thank you, I'm not hungry yet. Where are Mr. and Mrs. Yee?
AMAH
Madame Yee is still sleeping. Mr. Yee has gone to Nanking on business.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
To Nanking?
AMAH
Yes.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
For how long?
AMAH
(suspicious)
I couldn't say.
INT. GUEST ROOM IN YEE’S RESIDENCE-- SHANGHAI -- DAY
Wang lies in bed, listening to the sounds of mahjong from downstairs.
INT. YEE'S RESIDENCE - FRONT HALL -- SHANGHAI -- DAY
Yee Tai-tai talks to Amah before leaving.
YEE TAI-TAI
(in Shanghainese)
Liang Tai-tai tripped and hurt herself, so I'm going over to see her. Mai
Tai-tai still has her headache -give her two aspirins when she wakes. And if she feels like it, take some congee up for her.
INT. YEE'S RESIDENCE - GUEST ROOM – SHANGHAI—DAY
From her bedroom window, Wang steals a look at Yee Tai-tai getting into her car. The car drives by the guards in the alley.
Later:
Wang, nervous, sits at her dressing table, putting on lipstick -- then wipes it off. She pauses as she hears the gate open outside, then footsteps
coming up the stairs.
She bolts up, grabs a suitcase and starts throwing her belongings into it, pretending that she's packing.
The footsteps stop by her door. Wang takes a deep breath. The door
opens.
Yee stands in the doorway. Wang lifts her eyes to look at him, without any sign of surprise.
Yee closes the door behind him and looks at her.
Wang goes and pulls shut the curtains.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
What if I were to tell you that I hated you?
YEE
I would believe you.
Yee kisses Wang, fondling her breasts.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(murmurs)
I hate you!
YEE
I said I believed you. And you know, it would be the first time in a
long time that I believed anyone, anyone at all. Let me hear it again, I want to believe...
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
You must be very lonely.
YEE
Perhaps, but I'm still alive...
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
You've been gone without a word for four days. I hated you every minute you were gone.
YEE
Do you still hate me, now that I'm back?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(a beat)
No.
YEE
But you still want to go back to Hong Kong?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Yes, I want to go back.
They kiss passionately.
Later:
Naked, on the bed, Yee on top of her -- he takes her face in his
hands, insisting that she look in his eyes.
Afterwards, they hold each other.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(whispers in his ear)
You should get me an apartment.
INT. PEACE CINEMA – SHANGHAI -- DAY
Wang walks into the dark cinema. Suddenly a hand pulls her aside.
It's K’uang. Squeezed into a small corner, they stand very close to each
other.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
(talking fast)
I went to the tea house to look for you...
K’UANG YU-MIN
Some of our top people were arrested. They raided a bunch of our safe
houses. Ou-yang was in one --luckily he got away. We must cut all
our connections. You are not to go to any of the old places.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
When are we going to strike?
K’UANG YU-MIN
As soon as they give the orders.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
(speaking almost robotically)
Tell them to please hurry up. And then we can all leave, right?
K’UANG YU-MIN
(concerned)
I can't say...I don't know.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
He's gone again. Amah said he went to Nanking, but who knows the
truth? Maybe there's another woman. He took me to alley 1237 off Avenue ShiFei the night before last...
K’UANG YU-MIN
We have it staked out.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Perfume -- jasmine -- it was in the air. Not recent, though. There was
dust on the pillows. I don't know, I don't know.
He touches her shoulder, awkwardly hesitates, his face close to hers, but
then holds back.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Wang Chia-chih -- look at me, look at me --
Wang Chia-chih takes a deep breath to calm herself.
K’UANG YU-MIN
You're going to be okay. I won't let you get hurt.
K’uang leaves, leaving Wang alone in the dark. The movie plays on.
MOVIE ACTRESS
Brother, you can not break the law like this.
MOVIE ACTOR
I would never.
INT. YEE'S RESIDENCE - GUEST ROOM - SHANGHAI - NIGHT
Wang, lying awake in bed, tossing and turning.
She sees the hallway light in the crack under her door, and hears f
ootsteps in the hallway.
Then the figure on the other side of the door moves on, his footsteps
falling away.
INT. YEE'S RESIDENCE - SHANGHAI - DAY
Mahjong playing, chatting.
YEE TAI-TAI
Yesterday Liao Tai-tai was bled dry!
LEUNG TAI-TAI
What happened?
YEE TAI-TAI
She was the sole winner two days straight, so she treated us all to a
restaurant. And guess what, the minute we stepped into Shu-Yü, who did we bump into but Mr. Lee and his wife.
(gaffaws)
As it turned out, Mr. Lee already had a full table. We added more chairs
but still Liao Tai-tai had to sit behind me like a courtesan! She yelled at me to stop treating her like a piece of old tofu. I said old tofu makes the
best Pock-faced Spicy Lady Tofu.
Aiyo, we all died laughing!
LEUNG TAI-TAI
When she toasted Mr. Yee on his birthday it was like Pock-faced Lady
Offering Longevity in person...by the way, where's Mr. Yee these days?
Wang listens halfheartedly to these old jokes. They reshuffle the tiles, with the usual clattering noises.
YEE TAI-TAI
He's gone to Nanking -- again!... Let's be fair, she does carry her
pockmarks well, unlike the wife of Chief Chien. Now her face is really
disgusting --like a pancake dotted with black sesame seeds! No powder
can conceal those! It drives me crazy. Oh, I win!
They all laugh.
LEUNG TAI-TAI
It's all because of you!
YEE TAI-TAI
Let me show you something.
Yee Tai-tai exits and then returns with a fur coat.
YEE TAI-TAI
Look, it was fifty percent off!
INT. YEE'S RESIDENCE - GUEST ROOM - SHANGHAI - NIGHT
Wang closes her eyes, and reopens them at the sound of a car stopping
outside. The clock on the night table says 4:00.
She listens as a door opens and shuts, footsteps, every familiar sound, all the way till another door closes.
INT. YEE'S RESIDENCE - SHANGHAI - NIGHT
Wang tiptoes barefoot downstairs to the second floor. She passes by the closed door of Yee Tai-tai's bedroom before going down the hallway. She notices a dim light from behind the study door.
She decides to take a risk. She opens the door.
Yee crouching down, burning pieces of paper in the trash can. He looks
surprised. The shimmering firelight makes him look weary.
He gets up.
YEE
(quietly)
Close the door.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I've been waiting up for you.
YEE
Then you must be very tired. I am.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Yee Tai-tai said you were in Nanking again.
The fire dies down. Yee does not switch on the lights.
YEE
Don't believe everything you hear. I've just been busy. We busted a
Chungking secret cell. Got more than ten Blue Shirts, alive. Highly trained agents. So I had to interrogate them personally one by one.
Wang trembles slightly.
YEE
Ah, but I forget. You don't want to hear about my work, do you? It's
boring. You're so careful never to ask about it.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
It's your business. Just as you don't ask about my business. All I do is sit here, waiting for you.
Maybe you are seeing someone else...I can't sleep.
If this goes on any longer, you too will slowly get tired of me.
YEE
So that's what you've been thinking these past days.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
And losing money at mahjong! Losing all my hardearned money as runner.
Wang's eyes glitter with tears.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(turns)
I better go back up.
YEE
Get some sleep. Let me take you someplace special tomorrow night.
He gives her a gentle kiss. She turns to go. As she reaches the door, she turns at the sound of his voice.
YEE
(soft but stern)
And don't ever come into this room again.
EXT. SUNRISE BOOKSTORE – SHANGHAI -- DAY
Wang sits in a hired tricycle, slowly passing the bookstore. She leans back and takes a surreptitious look.
TRICYCLE DRIVER
Get out of my way!
The store is boarded up.
EXT. SECRET SERVICE BUILDING – SHANGHAI -- NIGHT.
It's dark. The sound of barking dogs. Cold and sinister.
INT. YEE'S CAR -- OUTSIDE OF BUILDING -- CONTINUOUS
Wang sits in the back of the car, shivering. Her eyes scale the high barb-
wired wall, to the building behind, where a few lights show through.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(to the driver)
Take me back.
CHAUFFEUR
The Minister said I was to have you wait here.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
It's been over two hours.
The chauffeur doesn't respond, lights himself a cigarette.
Two plainclothes cops exit through the gate, scanning the street. Chang
comes out with Yee, who gives him some last instructions.
Yee is let into the car, clearly wound up, taut.
YEE
I had unexpected visitors.
(to the driver)
Let's go!
The car starts.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I'm freezing. You might have at least asked me inside!
YEE
(suddenly a restrained fury)
Inside there?! Are you serious? You'd like to make a little visit to my
office?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(scared)
Never mind. Let's just go.
He looks fiercely at her, studies her face.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Why are you looking at me like that?
YEE
(a pause)
You shouldn't be so beautiful.
Yee grabs Wang by the arm and pulls her towards him.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
What are you doing?
YEE
I was thinking of you today. Chang, my assistant, complained. He'd
come into my office, open his mouth and sounds would come out, but I
didn't hear a thing. I could smell you. It was distracting. Two men -- we
picked up this morning at the train station, Blue Shirts. One of them
stabbed one of our agents when they came to arrest him, sliced his head half off, really. I went with Chang, to the chamber, to question them. One was dead already, his eyes broken. I stared at the other. I knew him long ago --we were classmates at the military academy. I couldn't talk to him,
but I watched him. I started to imagine him, fucking you. The
bastard...His blood sprayed all over my shoes. I had to clean it off before I came out. Do you understand?
INT. APARTMENT -- BEDROOM -- SHANGHAI -- NIGHT
Wang and Yee in bed, having sex in the dark.
They roll over, Wang on top.
She straddles him, slowly moving.
She closes her eyes, slowly rocking on him, then opens them, looks at
him.
On the chair next to the bed, his clothes hang. His gun and holster.
Her eyes drift to the gun, then back to him.
As she rides him harder, tears start to flow from her eyes.
EXT. AUTUMN – SHANGHAI -- DAY
To establish : Circling doves over a working-class residential area in
Shanghai.
INT. HOSTEL ROOM – SHANGHAI-- DAY
Wang Chia-chih stands by the window of a room in a run-down old guest house, staring at the gray sky.
Old Wu sits behind her. K’uang stands by the door.
OLD WU
Did he really promise you an apartment?
WANG CHIA-CHIH
We'll see! He was there when I told Yee Tai-tai I was leaving next Sunday. He can't back out now, can he?
OLD WU
That's marvelous. That old wolf is really starting to let his guard down.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Once we have a precise location, we can start moving!
OLD WU
Not so fast.
K’UANG YU-MIN
What are we waiting for?
OLD WU
We need information, information! He broke a cell and stole an
important shipment of arms sent by the Americans to us. That was a huge loss.
(mumbles to himself)
It's strange that the Japanese are also trying to locate the goods. I wonder if Mr. Yee would sell information to the Russians in
exchange for his future. Wang Chia-chih is a precious lead which we
must exploit to the fullest.
K’UANG YU-MINBut she's not a trained spy. Look at her, she can't take
the pressure.
OLD WU
You underestimate her. The best part about our Miss Wang here is
that she carries herself every bit as Mai Tai-tai, and not an agent.
She's come this far, that's no small feat. Our superiors are extremely
impressed. The last two women I tried to snare him with were superbly
trained, it's true, and they held his interest briefly, that's for sure. But he sniffed them out, and that was it for them. They even gave up the
names of their entire cell.
K’UANG YU-MIN
You have no concern whatsoever for her safety?
(worked up)
She's done what she's supposed to do—get Yee hooked. Now we should
take over.
Suddenly, Old Wu drops his harmless demeanor, and takes on a truly menacing tone.
OLD WU
(slams the desk angrily)
Don't tell me what to do! Now you listen to me! Yee murdered my wife,
both my children! But I could still eat dinner with him one table
way. This is our work. I'd like nothing better than to kill him, with my own hands. But if he's more useful to us alive than dead, I will let him live
for a few more days.
(turning to Wang)
But you're going to keep him on the line, and report every word he says
until I give the order.
Dead silence. Wang's lip trembles.
OLD WU
As an agent there is only one thing, loyalty.
Loyalty to the party, to our leader, and to our country! Am I making
myself clear?
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Don't worry. I will do what you say!
OLD WU
(takes Wang by the shoulders)
Good! Keep him in your trap. And if you need anything...
WANG CHIA-CHIH
You think I have him in a trap? Between my legs, maybe? You think he
can't smell the spy in me when he opens up my legs? Who do you think
he is?
Old Wu listens, becoming increasingly nervous.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
He knows better than you how to act the part. He not only gets
inside me, but he worms his way into my heart. I take him in like a
slave. I play my part loyally, so I too can get inside him. And every
time he hurts me until I bleed, and scream before he comes, before he feels alive. In the dark only he knows it's all true.
OLD WU
Okay, stop it!
WANG CHIA-CHIH
That's why I can torture him until he can't take it any longer, and I will keep going until I can't go any more.
OLD WU
(yells)
That's enough!
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Every time when he finally collapses on me, I think, maybe this is it, maybe this is the moment you'll come, and shoot him, right in the back of the
head, and his blood and brains will cover me!
OLD WU
Shut up!
She stares at him, almost defiantly.
Old Wu storms off. K’uang, almost in tears, looks at her, then follows Old Wu out.
INT. IN THE CAR—SHANGHAI – FALL 1942 – NIGHT
The chauffeur is driving. Wang sits in the back, alone.
Wang looks out of the window. They've passed Wai Bai Du Bridge, already beyond the old Western Concessions.
The car stops at a Japanese checkpoint. The driver shows the Japanese
guard his permit.
The guard pokes his head in to check.
Wang realizes that they've entered the Hongkou district, a Japanese
enclave.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
(uneasy)
We're going into the Japanese area? This was arranged by Mr. Yee?
The driver nods, and continues driving.
EXT. JAPANESE TAVERN IN HUNGKOU – SHANGHAI. - EVENING
Coming here is like going to Japan. The streets are thronged with
Japanese. Bright colorful lights are everywhere. People walk around in
kimonos.
INT. JAPANESE TAVERN—SHANGHAI -- CONTINUOUS
Wang stoops to enter a small tavern. She can hear Japanese music, and
people laughing and drinking. One glance at Wang and the hostess
recognizes her, since she is the only Chinese there.
WAITER
(in Japanese)
Good Evening.
HOSTESS
(in Japanese)
Welcome.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I'm looking for Mr. Yee.
HOSTESS
(in Japanese)
I know, this way please.
The hostess takes her to a room off the inner court, through a maze of
corridors.
HOSTESS
(in Japanese)
Mai Tai-tai, this way please! Mr. Yee is waiting for you over here.
Private rooms along the way are occupied by Japanese officers and their
geishas. Some of them have come straight from the front. They look
dejected, listening to familiar songs from home sung by the geishas.
A drunken officer beckons her from his room, then rushes out at her.
OFFICER
(in Japanese)
Her! Come! Come in! Over here! Over here right now!
HOSTESS
(in Japanese)
So sorry! Colonel Sato, this is a customer, not one of our girls! Keiko-
san! Keiko-san! Come and keep Colonel Sato company! Go get more
sake! The hostess restrains him. The man is unappeased, and storms
back into the room in a fit. The hostess apologizes to Wang.
HOSTESS
I'm sorry.
Wang is shown into a room where Yee is already waiting with a smile. On
the table are two small dishes of appetizers and a bottle of sake.
HOSTESS
Here is your guest.
She bows out of the room.
YEE
(pours himself some sake)
So...I punished myself, by making myself wait for you!
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Why here?
YEE
I had business.
Yee is slightly drunk, the corners of his eyes look tired.
The shoji is not completely closed. Yee suddenly spots the Japanese
commander Miura Taicho walk by with another man.
Yee lowers his eyes and pours himself some sake with his head
lowered. Wang catches on, and gently closes the shojiYee pours some sake for Wang. They clink their cups.
We faintly hear a geisha singing from a room down the hall.
YEE
You hear that? They sing like they're crying, like dogs howling for
their lost masters!
(laughs)
These Japanese devils kill people like flies, yet deep down they're scared as hell. They know their days are numbered, since they got the Americans on their case. Yet they still hang around with their painted puppets, and keep singing their off-tune songs - just listen to them!
Wang listens in silence.
She snuggles up to him.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I know why you brought me here.
YEE
Why?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
You want me to be your whore.
YEE
Whore?
(laughs)
It is I who was brought here...So you see, I know better than you how to be a whore.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(tenderly)
Will you let me sing for you? I'm a much better singer than they!
YEE
Really? Hm.
Wang lowers her lashes and smiles. She takes a sip of sake, licks her lips, and stands up. She positions herself in front of him, posing like a classic
singsong girl. At first her voice is barely a whisper, but then we can make out that she is singing "Girl Singing From Earth's End".
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(singing)
From the end of the earth
To the farthest sea
I search and search
For my heart's companion
A young girl sings
While he plays his harp
Your heart is my heart
Looking north from my mountain nest
My tears fall and fall
Missing him she will not rest
Ah! My man, even in hard times
Love prevails.
Who in this life does not prize youth as much as gold?
A young girl to her man
Is like thread to its needle.
Ah! My beautiful man,
We're like thread tied together,
Never to be unwound.
As she sings, she closes her eyes, letting the sentiment take over. Her
body moves with the tune.
Yee is at first amused, then attentive, and then he himself, as she finishes, closes his eyes, unaccountably moved, tears flowing.
Silence. He puts his hands together, applauds her, slowly at first, then
faster and louder.
She sits back down beside him.
He takes her in his arms. They kiss.
INT. YEE'S CAR—SHANGHAI -- NIGHT
The car pulls over in the alley near Yee's house.
Yee and Wang in the backseat.
YEE
You go ahead. I have work.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
At this hour?
YEE
(quietly)
Look. I want you to do something for me.
He takes an envelope out of his pocket.
YEE
Tomorrow. Take this to the address written on the envelope. Ask for a
man by the name of Khalid Udeen Sandhu. You can remember that, yes?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Khalid Udeen Sandhu.
YEE
Yes. If he tells you anything, or gives you anything, you'll tell me, right?
Just our secret.
Wang looks at him and nods.
She gets out of the car. It drives off.
INT. HOSTEL ROOM—SHANGHAI -- DAY
A hand holds the letter over a small pot of boiling water. The flap curls and unseals.
Pull back:
K’uang and Old Wu. K’uang takes a small note card out of the envelope.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Yee's name. That's it.
Old Wu takes the piece of paper, holds it up to the light, studies it
carefully.
OLD WU
(giving it to K’uang)
Put it back. What do you think?
K’UANG YU-MIN
I worry Wang Chia-chih may have been discovered.
If we send anyone in to check it out first, we may be falling into their trap. But if she goes alone, it could be very dangerous. We should stay
outside and keep watch.
Old Wu ignores him.
OLD WU
(to Wang)
You'll go, as soon as possible.
Old Wu looks silently at K’uang and then leaves.
K’uang stands speechless, then turns to Wang.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Wang Chia-chih, I'm sorry.
He hands her the letter, in a daze.
Wang Chia-chih walks downstairs. K’uang Yu-min follows her and tries to kiss her. She pushes him away.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Three years ago you could have. Why didn't you?
K’UANG YU-MIN
You know why, you know the reason, don't you?
Wang leaves silently.
EXT. STREET -- SHANGHAI -- DAY
A taxi stops at a busy corner. Wang gets out.
She spots Ou-yang and another man in front of the Peace Cinema. Lai
Hsiu-chin idles in front of the Madam Green House boutique.
Wang carries her handbag with the envelope inside. She checks the
address -- a jewelry store.
Cautiously she pushes the door and enters.
INT. JEWELRY STORE -- SHANGHAI -- DAY
She opens the door and enters a small jewelry showroom.
This shop is brightly lit inside, the walls bare like the inside of an igloo. A
low glass case at the back displays birth stone charms: yellow quartz and some semiprecious pieces.
An Indian Shopkeeper in a western suit comes forward.
The following scene is all in English.
SHOPKEEPER
May I help you?
Wang freezes momentarily, then speaks.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I'm here to see Mr. Khalid Udeen Sandhu.
The man pauses, looks her over.
SHOPKEEPER
Do you have something for him?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Oh yes.
She takes out the envelope to show him. Then hesitates.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I'd prefer to give it to him personally.
He glances at the envelope, smiles and nods.
SHOPKEEPER
Of course. Follow me.
(to customers)
Excuse us.
He leads her to the back of the store, then up a narrow flight of stairs, at the top of which is a closed door.
He opens the door and speaks to the manager in Hindi.
SHOPKEEPER
She asked for you, by name.
MANAGER
(to Wang)
He says you want to see me? Please come, sit down.
Wang walks over. He stands, and offers her a chair in front of his desk.
She gives him the envelope.
He opens it in front of her, sees the card, smiles.
He turns to open the safe. Wang looks around.
He comes back and sits down.
MANAGER
(to Wang)
Your friend, he said you were quite particular. In fact he was afraid to
make the choice himself. So you can choose any one of these -- and not
to worry, the gentleman has taken care of the fee.
He opens a small jewel case, it is full of diamonds. Wang is stunned by the sparkle of so many diamonds against the black velvet lining.
MANAGER
I haven't set any of them yet. So you are free to decide the setting. It
won't take long -- I'll need to size your finger please, so that we can set
everything, correctly.
Wang stares at the diamonds, speechless.
MANAGER
(smiling)
Yes? All right? If they are not good enough, we have more. I have
something really unusual for you.
He takes out a second box from the safe.
Wang leans over as the manager opens ceremoniously each little
compartment, until he reaches the last one and reveals a blazing “hot oil” pink diamond. Her face flushed, her eyes stay riveted on the
sparkling pink stone.
MANAGER
Six carats.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Pigeon egg.
MANAGER
(leaning towards her to measure)
I know you will be a perfect size six.
INT. SUNRISE BOOKSTORE—SHANGHAI -- DAY
Close-up: A telephone rings four times. A hand hovers above the phone, but does not pick it up.
A pause, it rings again. The hand picks it up.
We're in the stockroom in the back of a crammed bookstore -- piles of
books everywhere.
K’uang Yu-min is on the phone, listening. Finally, he speaks in Cantonese.
Intercut:
K’UANG YU-MIN
Hello?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI (O.S.)
Hi! Second Brother! It's me! I'm calling from Keissling's café. Everything
okay at home?
K’UANG YU-MIN
It's fine.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI (O.S.)
I'm fine!—Just too busy to call. I plan to pick up that package today. Yes,
it's all set— for now!
K’UANG YU-MIN
I understand.
Everyone in the room is listening intently.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI (O.S.)
Anything—else ?
INT. KEISSLING CAFÉ - SHANGHAI - WINTER 1942 - DAY
We're back with Wang in the café where we left her at the beginning of the film.
K’UANG YU-MIN (O.S.)
No...nothing.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I guess I'd better leave now... All right. See you later.
Wang hangs up the phone. She walks over to her table and sits back
down. She drinks her coffee, takes a bottle of perfume from her purse,
dips in a glass rod, and puts a few drops behind her ears.
She sees Yee’s car through the window, picks up her coat and bag, slips
them over one arm, and leaves.
EXT. KEISSLING CAFÉ. SHANGHAI. WINTER 1942
Wang comes out of Keissling Café.
The chauffeur steps out to open the car door for her.
INT. CAR—SHANGHAI-- WINTER 1942 -- DAY
Yee makes room for her.
YEE
I'm late.
(to the driver)
Route Ferguson, please.
Wang touches his hand and speaks to him softly.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Let's go to jewelry shop first. My ring should be ready.
Yee smiles, nods and leans forward to instruct the chauffeur.
YEE
Turn back.
The car turns back.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Hey, we missed it. It's that little shop.
The chauffeur parks and comes around to open the door.
EXT. NANKING ROAD—SHANGHAI-- WINTER 1942 - DAY
Wang gets out the car, jittery. The sound of Yee closing the door
makes her jump.
She knows Yee is behind her. He catches up with her and puts an arm
around her waist.
INT. JEWELRY SHOP—SHANGHAI-- WINTER 1942 - DAY
Wang feels a moment of relief once inside the shop.
YEE
(looking at her)
Are you all right?
WANG CHIA-CHIH
I'm fine!
The shopkeeper comes out, sees them, recognizes her.
SHOPKEEPER
(in English)
Ah, Miss!
The moment she lifts her head, she sees two men choosing rings at the
counter. She wonders if they are part of the group.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(in English)
I was wondering if the ring was ready?
SHOPKEEPER
(in English)
I'm sure it is. Please follow me.
While he speaks, she watches from the reflection in the glass the two men choosing rings.
Yee also notices and turns around to look.
Again, the narrow stairs.
They enter the upstairs room.
The manager nods in greeting, rises from his desk, and bows.
MANAGER
(in English)
Welcome! Welcome! Please sit.
The manager bends down to open the small safe covered with green felt. He returns with a small box.
MANAGER
(in English)
The masterpiece is ready!
He gives the box to Wang, who opens it -- a magnificent ring. She
examines it, then slips it on her ring finger. It fits perfectly.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Do you like the diamond I chose?
YEE
The diamond in itself is of no interest to me -- I just want to see it on
your hand.
She looks at the ring's pink diamond, moving her hand this way and that
to get a better look. Against her rose red nail polish, the pink on the
diamond is quite pale.
MANAGER
Congratulations!
YEE
(with satisfaction)
Fine.
He takes her hand and looks at the ring.
With the manager watching them, they are more keenly aware of
their being alone under the lamp, so close, yet so restrained.
With a smile Wang begins to remove the ring.
YEE
Keep it on.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
I wouldn't want to wear it on the street.
YEE
Please. You're with me.
She puts it back on.
With his profile outlined against the soft lamplight, he looks, to her,
tender and vulnerable -- a man in love.
At this moment Yee and Wang both hear a car backfire. She winces.
Without thinking, she tells him softly:
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Go, now!
He looks blankly at her, confused.
YEE
What?
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
(a harsh, panicked whisper)
Go now!
With one last look in her eyes, in a flash, he understands.
He jumps up and runs for the door, catches the door frame, and flies
down the stairs.
EXT. JEWELRY SHOP—SHANGHAI --WINTER 1942 -- DAY
A flurry of footsteps run across the linoleum floor. The shopkeeper follows closely but does not block him. He rushes out the door while the
shopkeeper stays to watch.
YEE
(yells at chauffeur)
Door!
The chauffeur, alert, quickly opens the door. Yee ducks in and lies flat
across the back seat.
The car speeds away.
INT. JEWELRY SHOP—SHANGHAI -- WINTER 1942 - DAY
Wang hears the screech of the tires.
Pang! A door closes, or is it a gun shot?
She sits there, dazed.
The manager gets up and sees her out with a feigned smile.
She walks out the shop wearing the diamond ring.
EXT. NANKING ROAD—SHANGHAI--WINTER 1942 -- DAY
A late afternoon bright winter light still fills the air as she walks out onto
the street. Her watch says almost four-thirty.
On the streets, she looks around, but recognizes no one.
No tricycle cab in front, so she walks over to Seymour Road.
People throng the sidewalks and many tricycles zoom by, but none is
vacant.
Walking past a dress shop, she looks at the wooden mannequins with
their fur coats and pewter-colored tops with bat-wing sleeves and
matching skirts.
She keeps walking, looking out for a vacant cab, or an unexpected attack
from behind.
She looks across at the Peace Cinema. The crowd has left, no tricycle there either.
As she debates whether to cross the street to the empty cinema, she
spots a tricycle cab coming in the opposite direction, a little red-green-
white pinwheel tied on the crossbar.
WANG CHIA-CHIH/MAI TAI-TAI
Taxi!
The driver, a tall young man, sees her waving and quickly makes a U-turn and speeds towards her, the pinwheel spinning wildly.
Wang climbs into the car and pauses for breath.
DRIVER
Where to, miss?
Not knowing where to go, she chooses a destination at random.
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Route Ferguson!
DRIVER
Going home?
WANG CHIA-CHIH
Huh?
The sky begins to darken. Before they reach Ching-an Temple, she hears
the whistles.
DRIVER
Ah - they're blocking the road again!
A middle-aged man in Chinese-style tunic and trousers drags a long thick
rope across the street, a whistle in his mouth.
From the opposite side another man holding the other end of the rope
pulls it tight. The street is cordoned off.
Someone else rings a bell listlessly, no sign of urgency.
The driver rushes to the edge of the rope before screeching to a stop. He slaps at the pinwheel to set it going again.
DRIVER
Can't go any further!
Wang watches the road. Cars and people are all grouped on one side of
the rope.
She knows. She looks around for her companions.
No one in sight.
The driver turns and smiles at her.
DRIVER
Looks like a long wait!
MIDDLE AGED WOMAN
Let me through! I'm late! I have to go home and cook!
POLICE
I could let you through for the doctor, but not to cook!
She sits back in the tricycle cab, her ears pierced by the shrill whistling.
She feels the hem of her coat, the place where she sewed the cyanide
tablet in.
INT. THEATER IN HONG KONG UNIVERSITY -- 1939 (FLASHBACK) -- DAY
The group is up on the balcony. K’uang is calling her.
K’UANG YU-MIN
Wang Chia-chih.
Wang looks up at them from the empty stage.
LAI HSIU-CHIN
Come on up!
INT. SECRET SERVICE HEADQUARTERS. SHANGHAI--WINTER
1942-- NIGHT
Yee stands by the window, smoking.
Chang enters and places a file on his desk.
CHANG
We got six of them, all college students. They once ran a drama group in Hong Kong. The woman is called Wang Chia-chih, a student actor. The
leader is called K’uang -- we've been tailing him for a while. A shame.
Almost got Old Wu, but he slipped out of town last night. The gunman
probably got away through the back door of the Peace Cinema.
When we searched, they all had movie tickets on them, better to get
away. The students were only there as cover.
YEE
You've known about them? Why wasn't I told?
CHANG
(a sinister smile and a smarmy bow)
Well, sir -- there was some question, given your involvement with the
girl...In any case, all's clear now! I have delayed her interrogation,
assuming you'd like to conduct it yourself?
YEE
She's downstairs?
CHANG
Yes, Lao Lou and Lao Fan have her.
We've already broken the others -- they're a very easy lot. Their stories
matched.
YEE
Then...I will...no. There's no need for further questioning, is there? I've - we've gotten what we need.
Chang hesitates.
CHANG
Certainly. Any further orders?
Yee looks at his watch.
YEE
Take them to the quarry.
Yee's voice is cold. He turns to light another cigarette.
YEE
Total news blackout. Dispose of them, by ten o'clock.
Chang understands -- Yee is sparing her a torture session. Yee moves toward the door.
Then he thinks something else.
CHANG
Oh!
He takes out the ring, and places it on the desk.
CHANG
Your ring.
YEE
(pause)
It's not mine.
Chang goes, leaving the ring where he placed it.
INT. HALLWAY--SECRET SERVICE BUILDING
—SHANGHAI--NIGHT
A cell door opens, and Wang walks into the hallway, her hands cuffed
behind her back, escorted by two plainclothes agents. Her high heels
sound particularly loud in the long dark corridor. She continues walking.
The corridor is long. There's a spot of chalky white light shining at the
other end.
EXT. BACK ENTRANCE -- SECRET SERVICE BUILDING
—SHANGHAI-- NIGHT
Wang is escorted out.
She sees a military truck parked on the road. About eight soldiers with
rifles mount the truck. Then she notices, with a start, K’uang Yu-min.
Despite the distance, she can make out his bashed, swollen face. He lifts
his head and sees Wang.
Her face freezes, her feet rooted to the ground. She now sees that the
whole group is there.
SOLDIER
Move it!
The soldier gives her a shove. She walks toward the truck.
INT. YEE'S CAR—SHANGHAI – NIGHT
Yee, barely visible in the back seat. He searches his pockets for a cigarette.
The guard in the front seat takes a quick peek back at Yee, but does not
offer him one.
Yee looks out the window.
EXT. QUARRY – OUTSIDE SHANGHAI -- NIGHT
The place is huge and frightening, lit by starlight and the headlights on the trucks.
The open pit gapes like a ready grave. The sound of feet marching over
loose stone.
The six are lined up on their knees, perched at the edge of the vast
quarry. Two soldiers load and cock their guns.
Lai Hsiu-chin crumbles in tears.
Wang Chia-chih and K’uang Yu-min trade a final look in each other's eyes.
INT. YEE'S RESIDENCE—SHANGHAI-- WINTER 1942 - NIGHT
At the mahjong table, there are now three black capes facing each other.
Liao Tai-tai has taken the place of Mai Tai-tai.
Amah opens the door. Yee enters the house.
LEUNG TAI-TAI (O.S.)
Why don't we go to Chiu-ju then. It's been a while.
YEE TAI-TAI (O.S.)
When Yang Tai-tai invited us last time, wasn't it at Chiu-ju’s?
MA TAI-TAI (O.S.)
If it is not Szechuan, it's Hunan - always so spicy!
YEE TAI-TAI (O.S.)
If you can't take spicy food, you'll have no spice in your game!
Mr. Yee enters the mahjong room.
MA TAI-TAI
(smiling)
Ah! Mr. Yee is back.
Yee looks at everyone with suspicion.
YEE TAI-TAI
This Mai Tai-tai, what a piece of trash! Promised to invite us but is still not back.
LIAO TAI-TAI
Mr. Yee, the minute you left Yee Tai-tai has been winning and winning.
She's inviting all of us tomorrow. Will you join us?
MA TAI-TAI
(smiling)
Mr. Yee! Your wife is not like you - she doesn't go back on her word! It's
not easy to get you to invite!
LEUNG TAI-TAI
You have to treat us, Mr. Yee, for we never manage to invite you.
He only smiles.
The maid serves him tea. He glances at the thick curtains against the wall. They cover the entire wall - how many assassins can hide behind? He
panics, and suddenly walks over and draws open the curtain.
YEE TAI-TAI
Don't do that, it's full of dust! It's so late already -are we still waiting for
Mai Tai-tai?
YEE
I'm going upstairs to change.
MA TAI-TAI
Don't bother - we're going now. Unless you got dirty today or something?
YEE TAI-TAI
I should make an inspection!
The ladies continue with their fun.
Yee signals Yee Tai-tai to follow him and walks upstairs.
YEE
I'm going upstairs first.
INT. GUEST ROOM IN YEE'S RESIDENCE—SHANGHAI--NIGHT
Yee pushes open the door to Wang Chia-chih's room.
The room is in total darkness. He stares at her luggage by the wall.
Footsteps coming upstairs. Yee Tai-tai appears in the doorway.
YEE TAI-TAI
(whispering, nervous)
What's going on? Your assistant, that Chang, and two men from the
ministry - they came by a couple of hours ago and took away some of her things.
YEE
(surprised, but calm)
Go downstairs. Say nothing! Say nothing at all!
You understand? If anyone asks, just tell them Mai Tai-tai had an
emergency and went back to Hong Kong.
YEE TAI-TAI
What happened?
Yee looks at his wife. A long pause. She begins to understand.
YEE
Just go down. I'll be there shortly.
Yee Tai-tai, fear creasing her face, walks away.
Yee sits there, in a daze.
Yee hears the women's voices, bantering, from below.
LEUNG TAI-TAI (O.S.)
Well? Who's treating us to dinner tonight, Mr. Yee or Yee Tai-tai?
MA TAI-TAI (O.S.)
Mr. Yee, of course! He promised! He looks so radiant tonight, it's only
natural he should treat.
YEE TAI-TAI
All right, all right! Let him pay for our dinner at Lai-hsi restaurant. Let's go now!
MA TAI-TAI (O.S.)
The only things good there are the cold appetizers.
YEE TAI-TAI (O.S.)
It's true, German cuisine is good only for cold appetizers. Let's have
Szechuan then, for a change.
LIAO TAI-TAI (O.S.)
That means it's back to Shu-yü. Ma Tai-tai missed it last time.
MA TAI-TAI
Shu-yü again? Aren't you tired of Shu-yü?
YEE TAI-TAI (O.S.)
You didn't have Leung Tai-tai with you when you went. Leung Tai-tai is
from Hunan, she knows how to order, we don't.
The clock strikes ten.
Yee gets up, switches off the lamp, leaving only the hallway light and the
sounds of mahjong playing from the room below.
【The End】
【Special thanks to WILLQUESTIONS 】--博才网
三 : 色戒影评
色戒影评（一）
看色戒归来，感慨万千，不得不一吐为快。有的人不明白李安为什么哭了，还有马英九为什么哭了，我只觉得和他们心有戚戚也，因为我也哭了。
有的人把色戒看成爱情故事，有的人把色戒看成讲人性的故事，更有的人在色戒中只看到裸露的人体。如果只是这些，大概不会哭或者不会哭得那么彻底。有的人简单把电影色戒当成小说色戒的翻版，进而总是对比二者。而李安说过，他要记录和再现一段历史，如果他现在不做，怕人们要淡忘了。这就是李安爱情和人性故事背后的日本侵华历史。在那段屈辱的历史中，人们对自己的道路和命运不能控制，人性埋没。除非苟活着，麻木着。李安比张爱玲，实在要站在更高的高度上。不要试图给李安对号入座，哪怕是编剧基础的小说，还有小说基础的历史人物。就算没有张的小说，李安也会找到别的小说，或者别的故事来讲述那段痛楚的历史。
王佳芝由一个纯真的大学生走上一条充满危险和没有彼岸的道路，她既没有所谓的革命理想，也没有老吴和匡的国仇家恨思想，她只是简单地为了她喜欢的男生完成这男生想做的一件事。所以难怪易先生说，她的眼中没有恐惧。所以她才会吸引了他，他相信她。她的家庭没有给她温暖，她的男生没有给她爱情，她的同学早商量好了她要扮演的角色。她不得不进入角色，她被拉进来了，不是她的同学，而是日本侵华。她在乱世中，孤独地活着，唯一的爱好是看看电影，在西方电影中寻找一点向往的温情。影片多次提到易先生对自己汉奸生涯的厌恶和身不由己。比如王佳芝埋怨他没让她进去等，他说，你真的想去那种地方？言辞间充满了对自己工作环境的厌恶。还有对王说，他接触的人眼中都充满了恐惧，他不相信他们。只有在王面前，他可以做回真正的自己！更有在日本艺妓馆，他对日本人的负面评论，说他们的音乐听起来像丧家之犬发出的声音等等。这哪是一个汉奸说的话？在这时候，他才是真正的自己。接着王给易唱天涯歌女。这不是一首情歌，很多人以为易是被王真挚的情歌所感动了。其实是这首歌的歌词和意境道出了易的心声。看看歌词吧，田汉作词的。第一段似乎还像情歌，天涯海角觅知音，第二段马上说的就是国破山河在的哀伤，家山北望泪沾襟，第三段更联想到人生短暂，青春如此的悲凉，人生谁不惜青春？易可能想到自己终日在
恐惧和反范戒备中度日，也许他有过青春的梦想，肯定不是做汉奸，然而国破山河碎，自己却成为自己也不想做的汉奸。所以易哭了，他的人性得以重现。所有的裸露和床戏，无非是想说明两个人脱去伪装和面具，赤裸相见，坦诚相见，做一回他们真实的自己，做到极致，希望不再回来。而性，是最原始最直接的方式，在性中，他们做回了真我。他们内心和身体坦诚接触的越多，两人的心走得越近。王在挣扎于自己身份的同时，已经意识到易钻进了自己心里，因为那个人，信任她，和她在一起时，那个人回归了真我，已经不是汉奸。所以她心里的防线彻底崩溃，不是因为那个大钻石，而是因为易的爱情。当王看到大钻石，她的眼里并没有任何惊喜，她甚至还按计划约易到珠宝店，准备在哪里完成匡的任务。但是，当易满眼满脸的温柔，看着她试戴，说，他对钻石没有兴趣，只是想看她戴着它的样子。易知道，麻将桌上，太太们谈论的，攀比的，钻石对女人的重要性，他愿意以她的方式给她带来快乐。这不是爱是什么？当王说不敢带这么贵重的东西在街上走，易又说，你和我在一起。要知道易是个不多话的人，他背后的话外音就是，不用怕，有我呢，我保护你，你可以依靠我！没有哪个女人能抵挡得住这样的爱情承诺—一个愿意信任自己，给自己依靠，带给自己快乐的男人。尤其在那个日本侵略者肆意烧杀淫虐的乱世。如果我是王佳芝，我也会被这个男人的爱所感动，并且爱上他，不愿意他失去。当易从这梦一般的场景中醒悟过来，他又做回了汉奸，他的人性又掩藏起来。最后他杀不杀王已变得不重要，重要的是，这样美丽的梦也只能是梦。他不得不回到现实。只有回家看看王曾住过的房间，睡过的床，遥想一下在这样的苟活的岁月，那曾经短暂的真情。
故事中可恨的人也好，可怜的人也好，悲剧也好，人性也好，都是那段可恶的历史给愣给推到那个位置上的，他们本来可以不的，可是他们不得不，因为他们不能控制，没有选择。写到这，我的眼睛又湿润了。
希望每个中国人都看懂色戒。顺便说，有人说大学生演话剧那段太夸张了。要知道，30年代的话剧就是那样的。其实即使今天的话剧，如果你看过北京人艺或者青艺的演出，你就会知道，其实那一点也不夸张，因为那是话剧，不是电影。而且当他们最后喊出“中国不能亡”，我觉得最自然不过了，当时的中国已经放不下一张安静的课桌，如果我是当时的学生，我也会想喊，中国不能亡。我的眼睛从这里开始湿润。
不能不感动于李安的中国情怀。
色戒影评（二）
一周内去了三次电影院看《色戒》，尽管是被删剪过的不完整的艺术，仍然感觉意犹未尽、欲罢不能，每次看完总有一股郁结之气在胸口慢慢充盈，时间愈久愈加浓烈，很久很久都不能从那些情节画面言语眼神中出来。久违这样的感觉了，不痛苦却让你难受，不绝望却给你压抑，我就像吸毒上瘾一样不由自主的一遍遍回味着影片散发的氤氲之气，在饮鸩止渴却又甘之如饴的芬芳里不能自拔。
电影讲述的是色诱汉奸谋杀未遂的革命故事，然而在这样一个外壳里面真正要表达要挖掘的是人性，只不过用谋杀行动作为载体来表现；所以这不是红色的革命影片，而是一部不折不扣的关于人性关于爱情的文艺片。而它之所以能如此打动我让我竟然享受于这种压抑而难受的情绪，源自李安对人性的深刻认知和透过梁朝伟汤唯完美演绎的准确表达，毫无矫揉造作的牵强之感，真实而可信，直击人心。
王佳芝，一个天真纯洁的女大学生，因为一部话剧的成功受到的爱国情绪的鼓舞和对邝裕民的朦胧情愫加入了谋杀计划色诱易先生，然而在暗杀的最后关头却为了爱放了易先生一条生路；这样的人生轨迹和情感转变是在做足了铺垫之后水到渠成的，令人动容。她没有亲情--片中三次提到王佳芝的父亲，先是母亲死后父亲只带弟弟去了英国，然后是父亲再婚，最后父亲负担不了她去英国的旅费让她去投靠舅妈；这对乱世中的一个女孩子是多么沉重的打击，没有母亲，没有父爱，甚至遭到遗弃而不得不寄人篱下，可见她是多么孤苦无依。有一个细节，王佳芝在写完给父亲结婚的祝贺信后将赖秀金看到的结婚照片放进抽屉关上，后来在电影院里别的观众没什么反应而她却哭得抽搐，寥寥两个镜头已经刻画出她的骄傲自尊敏感纤细以及细腻丰富的内心世界。而回到上海，面对被舅妈卖了父亲留给她的房子才让她念书的状况和时局动荡民不聊生的社会现实，靠领救济粮吃饭的她仍然拿出仅有的钱来看电影，更加表现了她对精神生活的重视和渴求，而这样的人，往往容易入戏太深。她没有友情和爱情--也许在出演话剧的经过里有吧，甚至当她第一次吸烟赖秀金举着烟头一句“王佳芝吸了，谁要”引起男生哄抢的时候，她心里是有些小得意的吧，女孩子的骄傲得到满足，淋着微微细雨，那一刻的她是幸福的吧。然而，在他们演话剧的礼堂，邝裕民一声清脆的“王佳芝”召唤她加入谋杀计划时，幸福便与她作别了。如果不是因为对邝裕民的好感，如果没有赖秀金有意无意的带点强迫的暗示，仅凭并没有切肤之痛的并不强烈的爱国热情，她不会加入这个危机四伏的计划，换言之，她最初的主要动机是对邝裕民的爱。而随后跟易先生易太太的接触中，她的那帮同学紧张得直打哆嗦话都说不清楚，全靠她一个人机智应变撑住场面才没露出破绽。她一人身处危险的漩涡，而他们只能袖手旁观，片中多次出现赖秀金他们远远看着她的镜头，却都只是看着，在我看来，有种冷眼旁观的意味；他们商量好让谁给她上男女之课，而她却只能被动的接受；她向邝裕民投去求救的目光，而邝裕民却转身走开；在这一刻，她感到了背叛，友情的背叛爱情的背叛。然而，在她忍受着背叛的痛苦失去了仅有的贞操后却被告知易先生要离开香港回上海，谋杀计划搁浅，意味着她是白白失去了贞操；这就像一个运动员忍受病痛刻苦训练眼看就能在比赛中取得好成绩但忽然被告知取消了这个比赛项目一样讽刺，一时间，屈辱、委屈、愤懑、痛苦……种种情绪潮水般向她袭来撕扯着她脆弱的神经，却没有一个同学说一句体己的话或是给一个温暖的拥抱包括邝裕民，至此，她对同学的友情和对邝裕民的爱情彻底绝望。被亲人遗弃的无依、被同学背叛的痛苦和白白失去贞操的屈辱委屈无处排解；当三年后邝裕民找到她要继续谋杀计划的时候，所有的情绪就像决堤的洪水一样一下子找到了出口，所以她毫不犹豫的答应了，没有一点牵强之感。而那一句幽幽的“尤其是我，我就是傻”，道尽心中的心酸和寂寥。她没有阶级同情--当她与易先生曲意相迎渐生情愫，当她已经意识到易先生不仅钻进了她的身体更钻进了她的心，当她受不了戏假情真的煎熬崩溃地发泄她的矛盾痛苦，这其实是她在向老吴向邝裕民发出求救信号，然而换来的却是老吴不耐烦的喝斥和邝裕民无奈的眼神；她终于悲凉的发现，没有人理解她同情她甚至是正视她的痛苦挣扎。家人的遗弃，同学的背叛，同志的漠不关心，可以说，在王佳芝自己这一边的天地里，她遭到了抛弃，得不到温暖，找不到留恋的理由，所以她索性更加投入的出演麦太太反正有冠冕堂皇的理由；而这些她所渴望的在同伴那里得不到的需求，易先生却统统给了她，感情的天平毫无疑问的倒向易先生，这些情节的对比和铺垫使得王佳芝在最后关头的放生顺理成章，甚而能得到观众的理解和同情。
反观易先生，一个为汪精卫卖命的特务头子，一个大汉奸，他的工作就是审讯逼供、严刑拷打、草菅人命。整天面对血腥暴力还要时时刻刻提防被暗杀，促成了他谨慎多虑、敏感多疑、老奸巨猾的处世特点以及被扭曲和压抑的人性，他习惯躲在暗处在人背后不动声色的观察，而这些性格特点的表现，李安只用一个王佳芝关窗户从玻璃里映出易先生身影的镜头就解决了，令人叹服。而抛开他的工作不谈，他又是一个讲究生活品味的人，这从易太太对他吃饭穿衣很挑剔的评价以及他在大雨天上车后弹了弹两袖水印的细节里可见一斑，所以尽管易先生的生活充斥着紧张压力不安和死亡的阴影，毫无轻松可言，仍然不能完全熄灭他对生活的某种追求和渴望。王佳芝的出现，让他看到了这一线希望。而那场麻将戏，也是拍的波澜起伏、耐人寻味--易先生故意放牌给王佳芝让她赢，伸出了橄榄枝；王佳芝借口帮忙找裁缝做衣服留下电话号码，接过了橄榄枝；易先生低头吃点心“顺便”看了电话号码，这一系列小动作，堪称男女相互暗中勾引的经典。面对美丽大方、聪慧优雅又暧昧勾引的王佳芝，易先生最初是心中暗喜却又谨慎提防的，这在他们第一次约会的那场戏里得到充分体现。从易先生向裁缝询问情况到餐厅里和王佳芝的谈话，比如问电话是否打扰了她、麦先生是做什么生意的等等，表面稀松平常，其实是他在试探、调查她的生活环境和底细，而王佳芝大方从容的回答打消了他的怀疑。在送王佳芝回家时，平时连回自己家都要保镖护送迅速进门的易先生，竟然下车送到她家门口，可见他放松了对她的警惕。三年后他们的再次相遇，让他又看到了照进生命的这一缕阳光，一句“人来就好”，对王佳芝的渴望表露无遗。随着幽会次数的增加，两个寂寞的人从最初的猎人与猎物的关系发展到相互安慰相互取暖，无论是身体还是精神都得到了极大的抚慰和满足，而这种抚慰和满足对这两个同样承受着痛苦煎熬苦不堪言却又不愿完全放弃自我渴求的人来说显得弥足珍贵，他们在对方身上找到了自己的存在感，这就是为什么王佳芝明知被敌人钻了心是多么危险却无法甚至无力抗拒的原因吧。王佳芝的存在感，来源于在她要换衣服时易先生说的“穿着吧”和欣赏的眼神，在她要取下钻戒时易先生说的“戴着”、“你和我在一起”和温存的目光；易先生的存在感，也许在被删掉的镜头里有淋漓尽致的呈现，但是从王佳芝向他要公寓时他不易察觉的笑意里，我看到了他的胜利和满足。正是因为两人渐生情愫、互为寄托，日本酒馆的那场戏才显得水到渠成，感人至深。三段《天涯歌女》，王佳芝唱来情深意切，易先生听得感慨万千，至此，两人的感情又进一步加深，甚至可以嗅到心心相印的味道。而后，易先生为了送一枚戒指给王佳芝所做的精心安排，在邝裕民他们以为易先生察觉王佳芝身份要采取行动而严阵以待的对比下，显得那样的浪漫动人；而当那枚六克拉的光彩夺目美得令人窒息的粉色钻戒出现在银幕上的一刻，所有的观众都发出由衷的赞叹（我想任何女人对它都难以抗拒）--可想而知当这枚戒指出现在王佳芝眼前的时候，是怎样的一种震撼，于是乎，这枚钻戒便成了压死骆驼的最后一根稻草，虽然可以肯定王佳芝不是为了一枚戒指而背叛组织放走敌人。
放走易先生后，王佳芝巨大的精神压力和矛盾挣扎顷刻化为无形，也许她此时大脑一片空白，也许她感到了解脱的轻松，可以肯定的是，她忠于自己内心的选择，没有后悔。人力车上的风车欢快的旋转，中年妇女为了要回去烧饭向封路的士兵求情，生活是多么真实而琐碎，然而，这样真实而琐碎的生活却不再与她有关。她摸出了毒药丸，表明她清楚自己的下场；之所以没有吞下药丸，我想，是一个入戏太深的人想亲眼看看这场戏是如何落幕。此时镜头转回到他们第一次讨论谋杀计划的礼堂，那声清脆的“王佳芝”犹在耳边回响，而现在的她却早已不是原来的她，再也回不去从前。在刑场上，她的眼神里没有慌张，没有后悔，没有自责，有的只是坦然；她向右看，之前一直比她表现积极的赖秀金哭的像个孩子，她的胆小慌乱反衬出她的勇敢淡定；她向左看，邝裕民眼神复杂的看着他，似乎在怨恨她的背叛又像是在自责自己的无能为力，最后浮现的一丝微笑，仿佛是肯定了她的做法对他们来说是一种解脱。
逃过一劫的易先生，震怒于自己被色诱还投入真情；毋庸置疑他对王佳芝的爱，但他的第一要务是生存。爱情的份量如何衡量，王佳芝因为爱情而失去生命，易先生为了生存而失去爱情。他亲手葬送了王佳芝的性命，却在张秘书拿出钻戒时无法面对。影片结尾，他走进王佳芝曾经住过的房间，坐在她曾经坐过的床沿，眼含泪光，深深缅怀自己的爱人，当十点的钟声敲响，他猛然紧闭的双眼和深锁的眉头显示了内心的痛苦和纠结，缓缓起身走出门口，缓缓回头的影子表达了他的留恋和不舍，镜头定格在空无一人的房间里那张留有他坐过的褶皱的床上，结束。每次我看到这最后一个镜头包括现在写到这个镜头，胸口都隐隐作痛，如鲠在喉，想抓住什么却又什么都抓不住，一点点陷落。不得不叹服李安挖掘人性的深度，镜头表现的准确度和梁朝伟炉火纯青的演技。
爱就是不问值得不值得。他们的爱，在阴暗的角落妖艳的盛开，注定不会有好结果。然而，被自己人抛弃的王佳芝从这份爱里找到了被认同、被欣赏、被惦记、被呵护的感觉，找回了自己，所以在最后关头，她选择了忠于自己，飞蛾扑火，用生命去换取爱人的安全。值得吗？值得吗？张爱玲说，爱就是不问值得不值得。
伊人已去，芬芳徒留。易太太们依旧在牌桌上讨论去哪里吃饭，一切都似乎没有发生过。爱情的痕迹，仿佛只存在于床单的褶皱里。只有那枚鸽子蛋，光彩依旧，经世流传。
色戒影评（三）
看完《色戒》能说些什么，我能从中获得什么。梁的演技没得说，特别是不说话的时候简直就是个大特务（说话的时候感觉要差一些，可能是因为语言原因吧），当然他的脸型也帮了他的帮，他背后的化妆师服装师赞一下。汤唯总体演得不错，特别是双层电车脸伸窗外的景头，还有接电话得知易太太要走的时候也不错，长相有时候看上去舒服耐看，偶尔有时候又觉得比较俗。王力宏让他来演五四青年不错，外型是有了，就是太帅了点，演技就不难为别人了，毕竟主要是唱歌的。
高度赞扬一下，小场景小道具用得不错，最让我记忆深刻的是麦太太在那个咖啡店打到邝裕民时，邝裕民的电话机的转换时空的运用。整个镜头都对准电话机，让电话铃声响了五六秒，主要目的就是用铃声打断观众的思路，提醒观众倒叙结束，又回到原来的地方了。还有这里面可以看出李安喜欢用镜子和玻璃，一个是在洒店拿烟时通过镜子给出麦头头的另一面美丽，同时古香古色镜子结合镜中旗跑女子仿佛让人们回到了旧上海。还有黑暗中的玻璃不经意的让易先生从景不经意出现，有些恐怖片手法的元素借用，另外墙上相册也用得很多，有些是说明房间的身份问题，有些是让人们感觉回到历史等等。还有几次与重庆方面见面的阁楼，除了旧上海的水壶让人回到了旧上海时代，那个影影约约的鸽子声音也强化的这种感觉（这个鸽子声音不是突然而来的，在外面给这片楼房打外景头的时候就安排了鸽子群在飞），我估计可能在电脑里面看可能听不出这个鸽子声音。还有街上两则楼房不知在那外景基地搞的，不错有旧上海的味道，不过还是能感觉到有个镜头：两边是灰白房子然后上面的蓝天白天，直觉告诉我那个蓝天白天是PS去的，还有那个在山上瞰看旧香港的景头，月亮非常圆，天也很阴黑，直觉也告诉我那是PS上去的。另外有个镜头包括有铁桥和铁桥外面的一大片旧式建设群，那一大片也是PS的？旧香港的外景不知是不是在香港，总之找得不错，估计找得比较辛苦吧。上海街上梧桐树也不错不知怎么搞的，栽的？
王佳芝渐渐的迷住了易先生，但她又是一个很清纯的学生，根本就没有性经验，为了不暴露她的行踪，只能找一个跟小姐玩过的同学练习。电影的这个片段让不少影迷笑场。而王佳芝就这样轻意的献出了自己的第一次。像许多的同龄人一样，不知道第一夜是为谁而留，又不知道第一夜要为谁而献，朦朦胧胧中，初夜就这样轻意的丢掉了。
易先生曲折的求到了王佳芝的电话，又偷偷的将其约出，正当观众期待他们的风花雪月时。(www.61k.com)易先生的虚伪的面纱才真正的暴露出来，他不仅仅想要的是女人，更不是为了简单的解决性，而是要让他所拥有的人知道他的存在，他是活着的。所以只能用SM的方式来麻木摧残别人的肉体来满足自己的欲望。有时候，也许SM是最佳释放激情的方式，并不能简单的归结到虐类。
易太太去看朋友未在家，王佳芝和易先生开始了短暂的小聚，这也是三段激情戏中最强悍的一段，王佳芝和易先生玩的非常彻底。让所有人都记住了他们真的相爱了。之所以将他们两个这段时间的感觉说成偷情，其实王佳芝在这个时候，已经真的放不下易先生了，怀疑他有别的女人已充分证明这个傻女人爱了。在自己家里偷情，那当然是最刺激的。王佳芝的命运和国家的命运紧紧的联系在一起，在民族遭遇外敌，而又出现汉奸的时候，没有办法比生活那个年代的青年人更需要激情，他们将满腔热血投入到救国的运动中来。而女人唯一能做的就是献身，为国家献身，为抗战献身，为爱情献身。献身有很多种，包括主演汤唯为电影的献身，当然也包括角色中的角色也需要献身，所以的献身都是相通的。
女人最想得到的，一颗男人的心，一颗男人送的钻戒，而这两者又是相辅相成的，只有得到了男人的心，才会拥有一颗男人送的钻戒，而只有得到了钻戒，才会拥有一颗男人的心。王佳芝做到了，她得到了易先生的钻戒，也得到了他的心，而在看到钻戒的时候，又不知道自己心归何处，正因为此，他们的计划失败了。利诱可以毁掉一个人的一切理想和欲望。王佳芝被处决，易先生心里非常矛盾，甚至在王佳芝的床上坐了许久，想起许多的往事，易太太这时候走了进来。问到底怎么回事，易先生说，什么都不用问，你就告诉别人，她着急有事回香港了，别的什么也不用说。易太太想要问什么，什么也没有问，因为她自己心里明白，自己男人的心不在这里，而已经跑到了另一个世界。拥有了金钱、地位和家庭的妇女，大多都是明明知道自己的丈夫心有所属，但她们总还自以为是的活着，活在这矛盾的婚姻里面！
总之它是一部能够反映当时的社会，能体现主人翁那些矛盾的感情似的大片！我不知道看了这部影片的观众又能学到些什么？
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