talkin' tabloid!: Are Brangelina too close to be real?

tabloid! wants to get to the heart of the debates currently raging in the entertainment world.

Each week, tabloid! editor Sonali Raha will pass her views on a hot topic and invite readers to comment. A selection of your replies will be published in tabloid!

This time Sonali discusses the unreal closeness between celebrity couple Brangelina.

Angelina Jolie is in Cannes Film Festival to promote A Mighty Heart. Brad Pitt stayed very close to her at the premiere, holding hands and echoing her words. Are they for real? Or are they using every outing as a grand photo op?

All eyes were on Brangelina as they walked the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival, promoting their film A Mighty Pearl.

Angelina Jolie plays Mariane Pearl, the wife of slain journalist Daniel Pearl. Brad Pitt is one of the producers. So they had individual rights to be on that red carpet.

But did they have to hold hands so tightly? Did he have to literally echo her words, saying what an inspiration Mariane was? And did she have to whisper in the sidelines her plans to take 2008 off, devoting herself to her children and Brad?

Celebrity magazines keep hinting at trouble between the golden couple. Brad is apparently tired of Angie's globetrotting, children-adopting ways. He, say the mags on strict "insider" authority, finds her too controlling. She, say the same magazines, finds him too boring, too predictable.

But at every public outing, the couple seem far from unhappy. At the Oscars they looked at each other with smiling, loving eyes – and again there was that very public handholding. In Cannes, they are very, very cosy.

These are, may I remind you, very clearly photo ops. Brangelina know they're being photographed. Is that why they look so obviously happy? At paparazzi shots in airports or around the city, the picture's very different.

Angie is often striding in front, one child in hip, head held high. Brad trails behind, holding other children by the hand, head often down.

So, which picture is real?

PS: Remember Brad telling Oprah about his love for Jennifer? That he felt she lit up a room? We all know what happened to that love story.

We asked readers if Brangelina could possibly be as close as they seem. This is what you said:

Jennifer Aniston was the real thing for Brad Pitt and always will be.
Sandra, Dubai

I just want to ask you whether it is possible to be happy or emotionally full all the time. In general, a wife and husband who have a good relationship are very confident of each other. They don't have to hold hands or stay close all the time.
Brad always knew Angelina is a sort of social worker and very generous and kind-hearted. He has always given her full space to do things her way. The couple knows everywhere they go the media will take pictures. But they ignore that because these are special occasions. They just want to relax and enjoy themselves at different events, particularly when the film crowd is present.

Why bother about this? Look at the positive side. Angelina's work is truly appreciable and Brad has accepted her commitments generously. What the couple is doing is greater than what any other celebrity couple is doing in this world. Holding or not holding hands, laughing or not laughing together, makes no difference to whether Brad and Angelina make up a real couple or not.
Shubhasree, Abu Dhabi

True love happens but once in a lifetime. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have fallen in love innumerable times. Of course, they try to be physically close in all the award ceremonies, attempting to show the world how much in love they are. The fact is there's barely any closeness between them now in real terms. All what they are doing is just for publicity.
Rumi Munawar, Sharjah

Both Brad and Angelina are actors, so they'd probably use every opportunity they can to get press coverage. I don't think, however, that their relationship is on the rocks.
Pia, Dubai

I am sure they are like any other human being, not just celebrities with a happily-ever-after story. Naturally, they also have some ups and downs. If they are meant to be together, well and good. If not, rotten luck!
Nikita, Dubai

I think they're a handsome couple. Both work hard at their careers and are equally concerned for their family life and their children. Yes, people get married, then they divorce, then they marry again. No one's robbed a bank yet or killed anyone. I think we should leave them alone. They're not cashing in on their celebrity status except to save the planet! We should just deal with our own problems.
Ineke, Dubai