Again Sigeon-Reyna clutches in his melodrama box and produce an interesting albeit quite problematic film.
It tells the story of a recently married bisexual lady (Ara Mina) recently wed with a philandering man-child engineer. He mocks her endlessly with his open relationship with his co-engineer. It does not help that her ex-lesbian lover(Rita Avila) is hounding her trying to find peace off her sudden marriage. When Ara Mina could not take her husband anymore, she decides to leave off with her ex-lesbian lover BUT things gets more complicated when she founds out she is pregnant.
M E S S Y of a film.
Both in a formal and story standpoint.
In a story standpoint, a story about a pushover bisexual who just wants acceptance is such a fun and underseen plot beat. Most of the time, Bisexual in films are the most confident and demonic human beings shown in cinema AND to see how Ara Mina just could not deal with anything was such a nice change of pace. Both Rita Avila and Tonton Guiterrez where CAPITAL A**HOLEs in this film, and it was such a campy surprise to see how they deal with Ara Mina's push over character.
I also love how it handles cheaters AND how cheating is coded. Most cheating stories are just about being unable to handle emotions. I think its quite rare to see cheating seen as a form of control tactic. A one up, against a push over. Very interesting take.
But Formally, is where this film really falls apart.
Firstly, the narration is horrendous. Narration is usually added provide a POV AND girly, she is actually seeing things that only god knows. It's so stupid at times - like I wonder if it was a last minute addition in this film.
Secondly, a lot of unnecessary stupendous melodrama - Ara Mina's controlling Rita Avila's medicine like your just girl LITERALY, the Tonton-Gay Neighbor storyline (though that actually works better in the long run), the lesbian should stalk their bisexual ex plot beat(they actually said that word for word in the end). It does not need to go there at ALL.
AND other than those two very crucial point, I actually could see why people like it.
This is CAPITAL CAMP Melodrama.
It can border non-sensical BUT I love how insane the levels of all the actors went for. Tonton Guiterrez is a 14 year old child here. All his actions are impulsive, selfish and driven by his desire to be in control. The role said to be insane AND he went for above and beyond for it. He almost feels like a cartoon character.
Ara Mina is confused and pretty much pushed and told into scenarios. Its quite interesting how good she is in this. Again, another role that feels stupid BUT her commitment to just bumbling around is shockingly admirable. Love Rita and Gina too BUT their character are foil-y. Its a nice touch to make Rita's character as a lipstick lesbian BUT never really trying to femme her up in her characterization. She is rough AND she let it known. Not much happens to them and they are sadly the fallen gays of the film.
Bumping this to 3 from 2. This is CAMP MELODRAMA that is quite NOT there yet BUT I enjoy its ridiculousness. It works but you need to not take it far too seriously. I wish someone remakes it into a better screenplay though. IT TOUCHES interesting topics AND I think it almost handles it well.
