When we see Gela (Ryza Cenon) and Raffy (JC Santos) arrive at Palawan, the premise feels oddly familiar, as if it were cast from the same mold as other local romantic comedies: the film takes place in a scenic location (Palawan), and it features two characters finding each other while dealing with their respective heartbreaks. Comparisons can be made with this film and other recent romantic movies like Siargao or That Thing Called Tadhana.
But it would be a disservice to call the film cliched, as it innovates on the genre in interesting ways: the nature of Gela and Raffy's heartbreak is both similar and dissimilar - both are rooted in leaving a long term relationship, but they mirror each other at the same time - creating an interesting dynamic towards the end of the film. In addition, during its last third, it becomes strangely self aware, its characters seemingly cognizant of the fact that they're in a romantic movie.
Mr and Mrs. Cruz acknowledges the artifice of the romantic comedy; the film reflexively contemplates the unlikely events that led to Raffy and Gela meeting in the first place, and perhaps audience expectations that, by the end of the film, Raffy and Gela will have found each other and life happily ever after. At the same time, it manages to tell an interesting story about two broken people trying to understand the root of their heartbreak through someone else's perspective. To that end, the film is mostly packed with long conversations between Raffy and Gela, ruminating on the nature of love and commitment. But it's not only in the conversations that the film manages to make its point; it's in the meaning behind words, in subtext, in silent gestures. There's a great scene near the end of the film where the two characters, now having achieved a certain level of trust with each other, just pour their hearts out. It's a wonderful performance by both Cenon and Santos, whose chemistry together elevates the film.
Director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo's filmic work traverses a variegated patchwork of romantic permutations: first love in Ang Huling Chacha ni Anita, old love in Lorna, love in terms of distances in Kita Kita. Mr. and Mrs. Cruz looks back at what has come before and reflects on these notions, going straight to the root of all relationships - communication, empathy and understanding - and building something entertaining and meaningful from it.
But it would be a disservice to call the film cliched, as it innovates on the genre in interesting ways: the nature of Gela and Raffy's heartbreak is both similar and dissimilar - both are rooted in leaving a long term relationship, but they mirror each other at the same time - creating an interesting dynamic towards the end of the film. In addition, during its last third, it becomes strangely self aware, its characters seemingly cognizant of the fact that they're in a romantic movie.
Mr and Mrs. Cruz acknowledges the artifice of the romantic comedy; the film reflexively contemplates the unlikely events that led to Raffy and Gela meeting in the first place, and perhaps audience expectations that, by the end of the film, Raffy and Gela will have found each other and life happily ever after. At the same time, it manages to tell an interesting story about two broken people trying to understand the root of their heartbreak through someone else's perspective. To that end, the film is mostly packed with long conversations between Raffy and Gela, ruminating on the nature of love and commitment. But it's not only in the conversations that the film manages to make its point; it's in the meaning behind words, in subtext, in silent gestures. There's a great scene near the end of the film where the two characters, now having achieved a certain level of trust with each other, just pour their hearts out. It's a wonderful performance by both Cenon and Santos, whose chemistry together elevates the film.
Director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo's filmic work traverses a variegated patchwork of romantic permutations: first love in Ang Huling Chacha ni Anita, old love in Lorna, love in terms of distances in Kita Kita. Mr. and Mrs. Cruz looks back at what has come before and reflects on these notions, going straight to the root of all relationships - communication, empathy and understanding - and building something entertaining and meaningful from it.
No comments:
Post a Comment