The critics who didn't like this film should take a second look. This is one of the best espionage movies of all time. It can be hard to decipher who is working for whom, but that is likely true of real spies. It has strong echoes of Casablanca but it also illuminates contemporary politics. The cinematography is gorgeous. The acting is tremendous. A must see.

I have yet to see a film starring Gong Li that has disappointed me. She is normally seen in grand and lavish Chinese film epics set at some point('s) in an era of Chinese Emperors and Dynasty's. In this offering she steps into the early part of the 20th century as a spy in Shanghai; pretending to be there to act in a play - as she is also a very famous actress. She is in fact trying to gather Japanese secrets/information on their WW2 war plans etc.

Its starts with her arriving in Shanghai on December-1st-1941 and concludes on the infamous date of December-7th-1941. If you know your history you know the date well! In between all the mayhem is a reuniting with her lover, a twist in the story that reveals a traitor and a mission completion with an ending you do not expect to see.

It is film like a black and white film noir gritty thriller which adds to the whole feel of the story and the acting. It might have gotten a 10 star from me but I do think the directors work was a little lacking and drab.

Still worth a watch though!