"Closer" - When Art Imitates Life

What do you get when you mix 4 gorgeous and talented actors/actresses, with a compelling script in a love story that makes no pretense of being anything else, other than reality?

A damn good movie. I kid you not.

I watched "Closer" for the good part of the early evening - the movie starred Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen. What an amazing movie!

I shall not give away much of the storyline for those of you who haven't watched it. (well, I'll try!;))

Suffice to say, that the movie makes you question your assumptions about love, lust, honesty and lies. Of moral lines which are proper (or improper) to cross, about feelings that are too pure to resist, of missed opportunities and compromises not made in the nick of time. Of the ends, never justifying the means.

What was interesting, was that the movie did not moralize. None of the characters were portrayed, to be without flaws - in fact, all of them showed the potential of being as weak and wretched, as mere mortals can be. The script, was as lifelike as can be - curt, crisp, biting, bitter, childish and sometimes, downright vulgar. It was REAL.

The end was a bit cliched - the good guy (relatively) won, but you had problems rooting for him, as he played a bastard of a role, in having his sweet revenge served cold. But what was refreshing (and disturbing, both) was that there as no happy ending - there were only tolerable ones, at best.

In one classic scene between Law and Owen, Owen pointed out why Law's character would always fail at love - "You don't understand love, because you don't understand compromise."

How true. Mortals are not perfect - there shall be moments of weakness and compromise is an essential companion to love. Compromise and respect, is what makes love mature. It's what grounds the passionate nature of love and keep the flames of love from harmfully burning and engulfing both the lover, and the loved one.

The movie was so multi-layered that each person watching it, would have a different take-home on the moral of the story. A few particular ones stood out, for me.

That those chasing true love, must be willing to pay the price. That there is always a price of pursuing your heart's desire and not pursuing it - you pay both ways. The only determinant is, the price you're brave enough and willing to pay. That how you conduct yourself in love and life, is equally important.

And the last point - that in our lives, there will be points and crossroads, when things can be put right. It's when we ignore the opportunities to make them right at the crossroads - will the future ensure, that we pay the consequences. Regrets are usually aplenty, at opportunities missed.

And when we pass over the crossroads which are timely and suitable, we are only left with the ones that are not. And at that point, one's decision must be based on more than just love - though certain moral borders, should never be crossed. By then, crossing it, even in the name of love - would make us less than human.

"Sesal dahulu pendapatan, sesal kemudian, tiada gunanya". Malay peribahasa is so full of wisdom, I tell you. There seems to be one for every situation, if we think about it.

May we all have the insight, feelings and wisdom to make the right decisions, at the right point in our lives - both in love and life. For every moment that we have is precious - it could be a turning point.