Cidade Baixa... a new City of God?

Photo courtesy of IMDB.com

Friends, it looks like it's definitely a R21 week for me, as I went to see another movie with this wonderfully exclusive rating. Last night I went and saw Cidade Baixa, which in English translates to "Lower City." The film was in Portuguese, and includes the producer and lead actress of the critically acclaimed film City of God. However, compared to the last reviewed film, this one definitely deserves it, with a bit too much generosity in the gratuitous sex department. In fact, it seems that every emotion in the movie is somehow tied to intercourse. A guy gets stabbed? Someone has sex. Good day at work? Have sex. Wind shifts a bit? You get the picture.

Aside from this, I guess the whole 'two guys fighting for a girl' thing can get some people going, although the gratuitous sex, in my book, is a bit excessive. There's not much plot development aside from emphasizing jealousy, rivalry, power, crime, sex, and life at the margins of society. The acting in the film isn't too bad, and there are several truly poignant moments. But, in the end, if one compares the film to City of God, which is inevitable given the way this film has been promoted, it just doesn't cut it in terms of being a deeply moving film. Then again, maybe it's me, since City of God was filled with Nietzschean undertones and the like, which, in my mind, adds an endless amount of kudos. This one, hmm, it just isn't there.

So, what's the moral of the story?

One phrase: Bros before hos. Watch the last scene of the film, with blood on one's hands, and that's what you really can get out of this. Oh yeah, and use protection.

R21 but not a lot of fun....

Well kids, as they say, some things are best left for when you're older. Or maybe not at all. I went to Cathay Cineleisure last night and watched the film Imagine Me and You, a British (and oh, it was soooo UK) drama about two women's attraction in the midst of one's betrothal to a man with whom she is, well, in love in a most blasé sort of way.

Now, when I first heard about this film, and its R21 rating, I was sceptical, expecting too much gratuitous lesbian sex, etc. etc. but was somehow convinced to go anyways. In fact, though, there was little to no sexual innuendo, let alone any semblance of nudity or anything else which might be considered risqué. It would seem that the fact this film deals with lesbianism is the only justification for its being rated to this classification. Perhaps I could contact our good friends in the Singapore Media Development Authority as to what the reasoning was? Perhaps this film encourages all those wonderful, pretty Singaporean gals to like each other instead of the boys? Alas, too much effort to inquire...

Now on to the review...

So, this film basically is sort of a mix of Killing Me Softly, Brokeback Mountain, Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral with lesbians thrown in for good measure. All the cliches are there; love at first sight overtaking practical considerations as well as compassion (i'm one of those people who is a bit on the cynical side; leaving stability for a weirdo is so not indicative of an ubermensch.) However, despite this, there are quite a few incongruous notions in the plot.

The bride, who up until this point has never been in any sort of homosexual encounter to our knowledge, and who has been faithful and in love with her husband-to-be for god knows how long all of a sudden decides she's in love with another woman? I suppose I should qualify my comments by saying I am definitely not one of these people who believes homosexuality is some conscious choice, but it just seems strange to me how all of a sudden the girl goes, eh, "across the street."

Photo courtesy of IMDB.com

The other somewhat inane thing about this film is how the character development is insanely low, given the depth I imagine the filmmakers want to convey. In fact, we learn nothing about the protagonists, let alone supporting roles aside from their professions and preferences in love. It leads one to wonder about the protagonist, as to whether or not she ever questioned her sexuality in the past, and merely had an awakening of a previously repressed emotion. But we will never know...

Add to all this a plot which was, well, predictable. Two star crossed lovers attempting to deny their passion, but find themselves inseparable. Stereotypical chase to find one's resistant mate, resulting in an embrace and kiss at the end. Could we get any more original? Perhaps not.

On the other hand, I can't be too critical of the film, as every cloud does have a silver lining. The cinematography was quite good, and the use of comic relief at the end of the film was gratifying. Interestingly, the protagonist's ex-husband actually breaks the fourth wall at the end of the film, which was strange to me. Adding to that, the spotlight of British pubs (I might add that they are the best part of British culture) which reinforced my alcoholism was a welcome part of the film, although I doubt the women in the audience would concur.

Photo courtesy of IMDB.com

But, as Jessie, who accompanied me and whose idea it was to see the film said, take out the lesbians and it's just another stereotypical romance.

So, what does all this mean?

Well, in the end, seeing this film was quite a fun experience anyways. Whilst leaving the theatre, it was interesting noticing how many lesbian couples came to watch the film. As I find my gay friends to be among the more entertaining of the lot, it would be interesting to watch the film with them and see what they would think. In the final analysis, though, if you are a guy wanting 'hot lesbian action,' then this film isn't for you. But still, it's worth seeing if you don't mind blowing S$6.50 during weekdays on it :-)

Who am I?

Welcome to Singapore Redneck. An interesting name isn't it? I was thinking of what to call my new project, and I though this might be a bit catchy. Anyways, about myself: I am a graduate student with an interest in banking, which means I don't really do much other than put my head in books about various ethereal notions. In my free time, I engage in all sorts of pointless, quasi-destructive, and rebellious behaviour, which tends to break the monotony of research and writing. I'm now in my third year living in Singapore, though I am originally from the southern part of the U.S. (Dixie!). Before I became interested in banking and the like, I studied human geography, specialising in how Singapore used housing development (i.e. HDB) to forge national identity. I guess the major hangover from that has been that everything to me now somehow relates back to Fanon or Wallerstein. Add in some Nietzsche and Foucault, and you've got me ;-) Now I know this doesn't sound very 'redneck', but honestly I see myself as a bit of one, as my postmodern nature sometimes gets the best of me, and I go back to my 'redneck' ways of complacency. Politically, i'm pretty moderate, though I have my anarchist days from time to time haha. My favourite sport is soccer, and i'm keen on Arsenal.

In terms of what you can expect from this blog, I guess the one underlying link will be my opinion. I plan on writing about anything that comes to mind, particularly Singapore-related, and my thoughts and comments on it. I hope you find it entertaining, and that I find it enriching to share my thoughts and ideas with you.


That's all!