Journey of Eros

If I were to be asked if I believed in ghosts, my response might offend those who believe they exist. The irony is - I dread a possible encounter with any of them.

Years ago, I was a shame to my siblings. I usually trespassed their space and privacy during the nocturnal hours. When the night was still young and everybody was up, I’d sneak to my bedroom right after supper, switch the light off and force myself to sleep even if Morpheus was wandering miles away from me. This was how I began to realize that the more effort you exert to make something happen, it has this nasty tendency to not happen at all. My fear would usually start the moment I hear my ate and kuya snore. Heart beating faster than normal, I’d try to face my fear by thinking happy moments - any moment, just like what Harry Potter does when he faces a dementor. But my dementor usually prevailed. It was always better to ignore my brother’s taunts than to not sleep the whole night.

It must be the room itself. A few meters away, a big Bangkal tree stood. Its old branches extending as if it would attack someone who might lure around its premises. Legend tells that it used to be a dwelling place of an old elf. (I wouldn’t care if it’s Dobby!) An aunt of mine told us once that she and her cousins actually saw the elf.

It could also be the menacing quiet that fills the still night. Anything could appear at the ungodly hour of the night. My imagination then was better than it is today. I couldn’t shake the idea that I’d be awakened from my slumber with the sound of kapre or a big hairy mane which has a head of a man. Or a manananggal peering at the window with its long, sticky tongue out ready to touch my skin. Or a white lady doing a catwalk just beside my bed.

I didn’t see any of those creatures. And now,  I still dread the creatures I don’t see. But I don’t believe they exist. I must be a loco.

I did my best (and my best was good enough!) to catch Ang Lee’s latest film "Lust Caution" when I saw the ad about it in the Sunday newspaper. The uncut version was running only on that day. That’s how it was advertised in the paper. Problem was, I didn’t have any penny on my wallet. Payday’s still a few days ahead. I had to watch the film before it’s gone. And I thought about Phoebe. One of my "few friends" who never fails to offer her help in times I need it.

So there I was, strolling past the newly-opened Midtown Center at Rob Manila, cautious while walking since the floor was too slippery. It’s too shiny, I could see my reflection. The absence of friction made me hold on to the railings while walking. Slipping on the shiny floor with no money is not a good moment for public humiliation.

The lady in charged of the tickets reminded me that the film was in Chinese and asked if it’s okay with me. I just nodded though I didn’t like it when someone asks stuff with obvious answers. As expected, a few number of people were inside the theater. I couldn’t tell what made them watch it - a) maybe it’s an R-18 film, b) they thought it’s a Korean movie, c) they did like "Brokeback Mountain"

I liked the film because: (caution: some spoiler)
1. The ending scene is very striking and unique. Full of meaning. Regret, loneliness. I felt a sense of loss while I was watching it. See it for yourself, if you want to know what I mean.
2. Tony Leung gives an excellent acting performance. Just as good as his other films (Happy Together, In the Mood for Love).  He doesn’t need to speak just to show what he feels. His expression says it all. He looks older here and you might be wondering if he’s the one who’ll have the sex scenes with the female protagonist. Again, I urge you to watch this film.
3. Tang Wei is gorgeous and gripping. I just read a while ago it’s her first film and already she’s a star.
4. The sex scenes are a sight to behold. You wouldn’t want to miss them. Though (spoiler) you’d need to wait for several minutes before you’d see what I mean. It’s brutal, the sex scenes, that is, but they’re lovely. Makes you wonder if they’re real or just simulated. One thing is for sure, they’re artistic.
5. The cinematography creates a dark, mysterious feel.
6. It’s quite dragging but you wouldn’t care.
7. It’s an uncut version.
8. You wouldn’t know how it’s going to end. Very unpredictable.
9. I liked the idea about what theater can do to create social change.
10. It’s by Ang Lee. Ang Lee. Yes, Ang Lee.

When Egyptian-born terrorist suspect Anwar El-Ibrahimi (Omar Metwally) disappears on a flight from South Africa to Washington, D.C., his American wife, Isabella (Reese Witherspoon), travels to Washington to try and learn the reason for his disappearance. Meanwhile, at a secret detention facility somewhere outside the United States, CIA analyst Douglas Freeman (Jake Gyllenhaal) is forced to question his assignment in an attempt to save thousands as he becomes a party to the torture of El-Ibrahimi.

The film’s theme reminds me of "Babel" and two upcoming movies with the same theme "A Mighty Heart "(Angelina Jolie) and "The Kingdom" all of which speak about terrorism in different forms and tackle it in different perspectives. This led me to think if the need for public awareness about world terrorism is essential. Which further led me to think about the ways how popular culture work. At the top, producers generate "ideas" which they believe will be of public interest which, if reception is great, would mean money.

However, the number of moviegoers inside the theater I went to proved the film’s not a runaway hit. Well, this is quite understandable since Filipinos are not really interested in drama especially if it’s Hollywood.

Roger Ebert, a notable film critic, gave the film four stars out of four, saying that, "Rendition is valuable and rare. It is a movie about the theory and practice of two things: torture and personal responsibility. And it is wise about what is right, and what is wrong."

It’s valuable, but it’s not really rare. The film’s strongest point is it’s subject: rendition. Next would be how the complications (characters’ dilemma) build up. They swirl upward until they reach the boiling point. The characters face the hardest decision, and you as a viewer struggle in your seat too if what they’ve done is right or wrong. You’d say "Oh, please don’t do that." "Idiot, why did you do that?"

The torture scenes lack terrifying elements. You can hardly feel the victim’s pain. You wouldn’t care too if he’s telling the truth.

Gyllenhaal plays a heroic character - his is the most admirable. He does what he thinks is right. One scene I liked the most is the one which Gyllenhaal hangs up when his supervisor (he works for the CIA) asks him where the suspect is - at that point, embarking on a trip back to the US - whom he has just saved. Grave consequences await, but he’s determined to save the one whom they accuse.

I almost shed a tear when Anwar El-Ibrahimi arrives at their home, his son recognizes him. It must be hard to live life again after the terror he’s gone into.

A friend of mine thinks Witherspoon and Meryll Streep’s presence are not essential in the movie. He pointed out it’s because they’re shadowed by the main protoganist who is played by a not-so-popular actor. I argued by telling him, that why I liked it more. Popular stars on the side of the circle!

There are still a lot of things I want to discuss in this movie but I’m afraid this review’s getting longer. And there are things that are better left unsaid.