The Universe of Eternal Love

The Fountain (2006)
Directed and screenplay by: Darren Aronofsky
Starring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Reisz
Director of photography: Matthew Libatique
Production Designer: James Chinlund
Edited by Jay Rabinowitz
Visual Effects Designed by: Dan Schrecker and Jeremy Dawson
Music by Clint Mansell

Costume Designer: Renee April

A promise to love someone for your entire life is a promise that fades with time or does it not fade because of the sheer determined energy of the mind and memory? Love is an obsession that poisons the soul and mind. It makes you believe that you could perform the most impossible. Yet, it is the very inspiration that lifts our passion and desire to live and continue living the lives that we lead. Love gives hope, love forms meaning. How could one love another with such rooted determination, I wonder? We give in to the illusion of the notion of eternal love. We truly believe that it does exist and it could transcend space and time. When death whispers into the ears of our loved one, we are suddenly crushed by this very illusion. Tommy (Hugh Jackman) is someone who believes that he could save his wife (Rachel Reisz) from imminent death. This surreal yet poignant film about love and the very philosophy of eternal love weaves together different dimensions of our mind and how it affects the way we see this very fragile world. Very symbolically portrayed, beautifully shot and magnificently illustrated, love is something attainable, yet the most difficult to sustain or even owned. What Tommy could hold onto essentially, is the fragmented image of Izzy's past, and her last moments of truth, facing death, with utmost dignity and courage. I simply adores the art direction, the story within the story way of how the film is structured, edited and manipulated, very intentionally done by Darren Aronofsky, but with the willingness of the participation from an active audience. We are constantly charmed by the haunting yet hypnotic music that almost spells the tragic notes of so called undying love. The film bleeds the heaviness of the human heart, it smells the scent of sweet pain. It weighs you down with so much emotions yet you don't feel a trace of fatique in the mind. Why is love so painful?? The Buddhist approach is to walk the middle path, to love with compassion, not obsession. Could this be done, so effortlessly? I believe real love hurts. Love is simply loving the art of love.

Nada Sou Sou

Nada Sou Sou (2006), Japanese

Directed by Nobuhiro Doi, starring Satoshi Tsumabuki, Masami Nagasawa

I have seen Satoshi in the Japanese food drama called Queen of Lunch Time, quite a lovable character, I would say. I saw Masami's performance in Crying Out Loud From the Center of The Earth, a very innocent and moving performance. To watch the two of them together in this Japanese romantic drama breaths new life into this small film called Nada Sou Sou (Tears For You). The chemistry between the two seems just right for their parts. Satoshi plays Yotaro, who gains a step-sister, Kaoru, at the age of eight and since then has been harbouring this unspoken love towards his half sister, but subconsciously, tries to deny or suppress his feelings towards her. To me, the intercut between the past and the present has always been one of the biggest attractions of Japanese films, apart from their great sense of melody and choice of music for films. Somehow, it plays out perfectly in a story like this one. The subtlety of the relationship between the two is beautifully portrayed through fine acting from both. You can't help but feel devastated by the circumstances that they have to face, growing up. It makes you wonder how could we possibly define such love, as intimate as theirs, when love comes in the most unexpected ways. I am sure no matter how hard you try to hold back those tears, you will somehow succumb to the feelings that the film evoke on you...trust me. A film not to be missed.

More Than Meets The Eyes

Though I never grew up watching Transformers, but one can't help but being intrigued by those robots that could talk like humans, can we?! Watching Transformers come to live on big screen is definitely one hell of an experience for me. Even though I may not be a big fan but the film is heart pumping enough to kick me into the right gear. I love Bumblebee. I love the upgraded version of this yellow machine! Of course, who could forget Optimus Prime? His voice is so commanding that I have to raise my hat to Peter Cullen for lending such a powerful voice to this amazing character. Shia LaBeouf is pretty good here as well. Great action sequences, especially some slow motion effects and camera work. The CGI of all the autobots and decepticons was so unbelievably realistic that it adds more dimensions to the entire film. Overall, it was definitely one of the best action films I have seen so far, this year (not that I have seen many till now...)