The Loves of Siam

The Love of Siam might've entitled itself as Love and you'll never know the difference. Just because the movie speaks of such a universal feeling that it won't matter where you are. It's a feeling that exists across time and space, and knows no boundaries. But in reality, Siam refers to Siam Square where most teens hang-out in Thailand. It plays a major role in the lives of the lead characters by reconnecting and reuniting them then eventually setting them apart - all grown and more knowing of the loves that should be and could be.

The Love of Siam is about a mother's love who, after a tragic loss in the family, tries to hold the family together, yet feels at a loss herself from doing what she thinks is right.

The Love of Siam is about a father who is consumed with so much guilt that he focused himself more on what was lost rather than what was left.

The Love of Siam is about a young son who was hit most by the family's loss and longs for attention from his family. When he finds someone who finally gives him the care and support he wants, he is made to choose between that and his family.

The Love of Siam is about a young man who feels abandoned by the people he loves. He desperately yearns for affection from the people around him that when he finds it, he is made to feel guilty about it.

The Love of Siam is about a young lady who tries outrageous measures to get the love she seeks only to realize that such love is the kind that could never be hers.

The Love of Siam is about a woman who struggles to find her place in the world and discovers the unselfish love within her.

These characters can easily be you and me or anyone you know.

The Love of Siam has many things going for it. It is a mixture of emotions all at once and is very much relatable. It is about loving and losing; caring and hurting; hoping and missing; giving and finding.

The movie is filled with subtleness of emotions. Despite its heavy theme, it isn't screaming with tears. It isn't melodramatic yet the pain transcends throughout the film. It doesn't bombard you with lengthy dialogues but when it does say something, it makes sure that it says what its supposed to mean. (Although it could be cheesy at times.) Every look and stare has a purpose. Every touch has its meaning. Every move symbolizes a transition, a development. Even a simple letting go of a hand provides a marked importance to the character's growth. Or a simple completion of a toy tells you that it isn't about a toy anymore but rather a completion of one's being.

One of the most significant part of the film is music. Like what the grandmother in the film says, if you can't say it, express it through music. Through its music, whether it'd be by lyrics or just a melody, emotions are articulated. Be it happy or sad, exciting or painful. And music mostly provided the kilig moments. It'd be hard not to at least smile, if not totally get thrilled, once you get to know what the song meant for its characters.

Of course, The Love of Siam is not without its fault. There are some parts of the story that seemed missing yet, like its characters, we are left unaware of the truth behind it. I am not sure if it was intentional on the filmmaker's part but, nevertheless, they don't take so much out of the audience's viewing pleasure. The film would've given enough that one could easily overlook such flaw.

What is praiseworthy about The Love of Siam is that it doesn't succumb to the traditional happy endings that most audience expects for our romantic leads. They don't end up together as one hoped they would. After making you feel that their love is one that should be, it drops a big bomb on you: it could never be, at least not for awhile. 'Cause how could such a young age make bold choices without hurting badly? How could they ever fought against the family and the society when they themselves need to feel the warmth and acceptance of them? How can they ever love so truly when the love that was given to them was not enough?

In actuality, the film is brimming with too much grief and loneliness from beginning to end masks by the teenage kilig love it portrays, yet it sheds us some hope. A hope that one day we will find the love that we truly deserve. A hope that some day we will be like teenagers once more, inspired by love rather than be burdened by it. A hope that one day, our beloved characters would cross paths again and be strong enough to fight for the love they have for each other. Perhaps in Siam Square once more? A hope that some day, the family will be able to walk together without the shadow of the loss haunting them. As one of the songs says, "If there is love, there is hope."

It is maybe unselfish of us to desire to be loved and cared for by others, but in reality, it is just human nature to want such. In summation, The Love of Siam is mostly about a love that was once lost and now is found.

The Love of Siam is on competition at the Cinemanila 2008.