Writer: Elaine Ewe

Writer Ratings:
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Effects: NA
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Watch this if you liked: "Ciplak"

Let us begin by asking, what is your relationship status on Facebook?

If you have left it blank, why? If you listed it as single, why? Why even fill in your relationship status at all?

This is one of the questions that "Relationship Status" asks. Director Khairil M. Bahar is certainly no amateur in his third feature film as he wades into the waters of social networking sites to answer questions that lie vaguely in the recesses of our minds, yet never thought to ask. What happens to our Facebook accounts when we have passed on to the afterlife?

Come 2012, there is no better way to begin than watching a six interweaving stories of a group of KL-ites. They do not all know each other, but what connects this group of dysfunctional people are their use of the social networking site, Facebook. Granted, this is no Fincher's "The Social Network", but Khairil's piece delights all the same with its tender and witty caprice. Being an independent film, there is no big explosions to distract, no dramatic moment to be wrung, which is why "Relationship Status" is easily one of the best local films I have ever seen. It is subtle, and you just want to watch the film just to see what happens to these characters.

Clearly, "Relationship Status" is an ensemble cast movie. There is no particular actor or actress that stood out, rather, together, they made the movie work. In that same vein, the movie works because of the successful amalgamation of every plot element, such as cinematography and sound. Usually, movies fall flat because if the effects are good, the narrative sucks and vice versa. But here, the cinematography and soundtrack were what that made the movie memorable. There are a few standout moments of this kind, such as when one of the women finds out that her husband is cheating on her, she stumbles home in a daze, accompanied by a slightly upbeat song a la Anna Nalick's "Breath (2AM)". The nature of song seemed so contradictory to the turmoil that she is experiencing, yet you cannot think of anything more apt. Moreover, none of the songs are particularly well-known, making the indie status of the movie more prominent, but never less enjoyable.

Cinematography-wise, it is fantastic for a movie of this scale. Considering that Khairil himself has won an award for best cinematography before, you can expect as high a level of photography work and more. There is a lot of emphasis on close-ups, but it is understandable given that it is a character-drama after all. There is really nothing so unique about the cinematography, but somehow, you forgive it because the shaky camera work at times, the usual cut-to-the-person's-face-when-talking, everything feels so raw, that you cannot help but feel as if it was made by a very close friend, and about people you know.

In conclusion, "Relationship Status" is not a realistic movie by any means, but it is one guaranteed to send you out of the cinema thinking. It is a fantastic addition to Malaysian cinema, as well as to Khairil's directorial resume. "Relationship Status" is unlike anything you have seen before.

Cinema Online, 06 January 2012