posted June 03, 2010 03:58 PM         

But here is a way of looking

at Venus and Pluto:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmbv8kevQ-E

why do some people insist on putting themselves in dangerous positions?

Especially in relationships.

IS it just unavoidable chemical attraction?

Maybe it's an obssessive, unconscious re-enactment of

something wickedly weird that happened long ago.

Possibly a mythic repreentation of

the legend of the Abduction of Persephone to the Underworld

The draw of the taboo maybe.

A weird fascination with S-M.

Or just time to be separated from over-attachment to your mother.

Or a wish to get enmeshed in messy triangles.

Or the inability to love without a touch of poison

No Ordinary Love: A Review of "Spider"

To enter into a relationship with someone is to agree to forgive. It’s like a contract you’re quick to sign because you’re still high on the excitement and promise of true love, but the fine print promises to expose vices and flaws in your partner that your signature assures you will bear the burden of.

"Spider" is a nine minute cautionary tale to lovers the world over: be advised about who you’re signing up with. Habits and behaviors that initially come across as harmless could cost you more than a simple routine, frustrating break up.

This film from Australian stunt-man turned director, Nash Edgarton is a true testament to the power and effectiveness of short films. While there are no real answers or insights to why we engage in (or forgive) the behaviors we do, the film does a damn fine job of making light of what happens when people behave selfishly, with no regard but for their own entertainment.

Edgarton exposes the most destructive of vulnerabilities in both of his main characters right away.

He is the paradoxical man-child that refuses to ignore or pass over any opportunity for a prank, even if he's already in deep **** for the one he just pulled. This seemingly harmless, albeit annoying, characteristic hides something far more sinister at heart, that not even he may be aware of, himself.

She, on the other hand, folds to chocolate like Superman to Kryptonite. She forgives, forgets and her great character flaw is the unconditional love for the guy in the car sitting next to her, a man incapable of returning the same sentiment.

All of this, and we don't even know their names.

The film opens with a quote that may or may not drastically alter the mood of the events that follow. Perhaps Edgarton intended to produce a pitch-black comedy steeped heavily in shock appeal, but ultimately, Spider is a considerably profound piece of work that juxtaposes total vulnerability with masked narcissism, under the ruse of two people in a seemingly ordinary relationship.