Aug 16 2008
“As long as there is love, there is hope”
2:49 AM | Culture | Movie
Do you know that feeling you get after watching a powerful and meaningful movie that speaks to you? One that would leave a mark on your perspective and forever change you? Rak haeng Sayam, or The Love of Siam, is one such movie. Despite it being out for almost nine months, I have just heard about it from Chris when he visited last week. I briefly looked it up online and made the mistake of judging it as a cheesy teenage drama from its sappy looking poster, but the charmingly good-looking protagonists were enough to get me interested. Without much to lose, I decided to download the director's cut version, which is about thirty minutes longer than the original with a three hour running time, and give it a try. It was as much a pleasure as it was a curse to have watched this film. It hit something tender and lonely in me, and I have so deeply immersed in the story that I have already watched it three times in the past few days. I'm a sensitive and emotional person, but I don't remember when was the last time a film has made me cry.
In spite of the relatively prominent gay aspect of the plot, the film was intentionally marketed as your average — read heterosexual — coming-of-age romance story when it first came out in Thailand last November. Director Chookiat Sakveerakul has admitted that he wants the film to reach a wider audience in a somewhat conservative society, and the film was received with critical acclaim and won multiple major awards in Thailand. Despite the length of the film, the emotions basically carry through the whole story until the very end without any dead air. What speak to me the most were its honesty and realness. Another thing I love about this film is its perceptive use of songs in various scenes that helps saturate the emotions; not just memorable melodies but also meaningful lyrics that speak to the characters. The score is absolutely beautiful as well. There is no exaggerated acting, crafty angles, or glamorous effects; just genuine dialogues and scenes that are filled with emotions.
To simply label the film as a mere gay teen story is to dismiss the depth and power of this amazingly insightful and intelligent tale about love and sacrifice — not only that of lovers, but of friends and family as well. The three hour long movie opens with a twenty-minute prologue that serves very well to introduce us the two protagonists — Tong and Mew, and develop their characters and the tender friendship between them. It also sets the tone for the rest of the movie, which is playful at times but heavy-hearted overall. The story follows the two young friends who fell in love on the verge of self-awareness. Through their eyes and with them, we learned about the conflicting feelings of trying to please everyone you care about, the hopelessness you get when things don’t always go the way you want; basically all the irony associated with growing up and coming of age. Above all, we see the different aspects and complexity of love played out and affected everybody around them. The movie speaks of love as pure and beautiful no matter who you are or who you are offering it to. It reminds me that love really is innocent, uncomplicated, and true.
The ambiguous and ironic ending is somewhat open to interpretation. I would like to believe that it is echoing the one line from the Chinese song that Ying translated for Mew — “As long as there is love, there is hope.” Being so used to Hollywood style western movies, I was expecting a happily-ever-after closure, so this unfulfilled open ending somehow leaves a void in my heart every time I watch it. However, at the same time, there is a part of me that really appreciates the bittersweetness and overwhelming emotions that linger long after it’s over.
If we can love someone so much, how will we be able to handle it the one day when we are separated? And, if being separated is a part of life, and you know it will happen, is it possible that we can love someone and never be afraid of losing them? At the same time, I was also wondering, is it possible that we can live our entire life without loving anyone at all? That’s my loneliness. — Mew to Tong
Comments
Aug 16, 11:43 PM Caleb said:
WOW, I know the feeling. I am very sensative and feel empathy for others even on TV LOL.
There is this show that they gave on Univision which is the spanish channel and the show is called ‘La Rosa De Guadalupe’ the rose of guadalupe (virgin mary). Anyways I’m not Catholic but the episodes of the show are stories based on true stories and so I watch it. And there isn’t an episode that doesn’t make me cry because of what happens in it. Most of the episodes are about forgiveness and not giving up hope on something or someone you live. I honestly think that they are very inspiring stories because we all go through situations similar to those in the show and just to watch others go through it and make it through lets us know that well there is hope and we can make it too.
Aug 20, 2:49 AM said:
I think this movie is touching. Especially the singing scenes. They really move people’s heart.
But then I didn’t cry. Just couldn’t.
Knew this is supposed to be a sad movie in the first place.
Self defense mechanism has prepared for the worst.
Bet that’s a kind of evolution for survival too.
Well and I have always get used to being sad (what you call emo or something).
An expectedly sad movie wouldn’t make me cry and cry again.
Doesn’t mean I feel nothing for it though. And let’s watch it together sometime, in case you don’t get tired of it one day.
Aug 21, 6:33 PM said:
AHHHH i just finished the movie and it’s 3:32 in the morning.... WAHHH it was so good but now i’m sad. i’m listening to the main love song right now (the one mew sang at the concert at the end) on imeem. <33333 LOS
i’m glad you watched it and liked it :D
Aug 21, 11:27 PM Tat Fung said:
Woah thanks for 4 files!!
Aug 22, 5:08 PM said:
* * * * * * * * * * / * * * * * <- 10 out of 5 stars! XD
this movie is great! love it! hehe.. may you tell me where you downloaded the movie? cuz it’s too tiring to watch it on youtube.. thanks in advance! XD
Aug 22, 8:23 PM tobias said:
thank you for your comments, i’m totally addicted to veoh i watch so many asian movies i’l probably be fluent in korean and thai in a couple of months ( at least i wished i ‘d be) i’m not very good at programming that’s why i focus on design and research on my blogs.... your site is really beautiful, i guess you made it your self
x tobi
Aug 25, 10:55 AM Alan said:
SO HAPPY TO SEE YOUR INTRODUCTION ABOUT THE LOVE OF SIAM. IT’S REALLY A GREAT MOVIE!
Sep 8, 8:04 AM Lizsu said:
looks like an interesting view, will keep in mind to watch when I have time