Never Not Love You

Tattoos are a distinct motif in Antoinette Jadaone's latest film Never Not Love You - they reinforce the theme of a love that starts with youthful exuberance but then matures into something completely different. Getting a tattoo is a choice and a commitment, much like getting into a relationship. Getting rid of them isn't as easy, so the initial choice must take that into consideration - at least in theory, anyway - cue the millions of tattoos with the name of an ex displayed for all to see.

When Joanna (Nadine Lustre) falls in love with artist Gio (James Reid), the sparks are there, but it's all pretty low key. Yet sooner or later the two of them dive headstrong into their romance, depicted with a level of authenticity that one rarely sees in local cinema.

When their relationship runs into a number of problems, it's here where the film makes its case: when confronted with the possibility of sacrificing work for love, Gio and Joanna react differently. The former, having lived a relatively privileged, carefree life, initially chooses love, trying to reconcile a change in lifestyle with remaining comfortably in the status quo. Joanna, on the other hand, having come from a lower socioeconomic background, considers her family's economic situation in addition to her own happiness. Thus begins a perpetual seesaw of compromise, conflict, and resolution, one that is handled expertly. But that's what love is, once we get past idealistic fairytale notions on the subject: it's a neverending compromise, a commitment that requires considerable effort and sacrifice.

It's all done without the usual histrionics we're used to when watching mainstream romantic films, and for once this is a film that the JaDine love team deserves, as it pushes their talents to the limit. Nadine Lustre in particular shines, especially in the last few moments of the film where emotions are communicated through silence rather than words.

The film's visual style is also quite lovely, showing us both the cityscape of Makati rendered in neon lights, as well as lush sunlit views of Zambales. It's far removed from the candy colored visual styles of what we've been accustomed to, and it's a trend that we've been starting to see in the past five or so years. In many ways, just like how the romance in Never Not Love You matures, the genre itself matures alongside it, portraying more complex, nuanced depictions of romance in contemporary society.

The film ends in ambiguity, in a marvelous silent sequence that communicates all manners of things -  a reaffirmation of feelings now vastly different, perhaps reminiscence of a love that has irreversibly changed, perhaps even the slightest twang of regret, or the existential fear of an eventual doomed outcome. Never Not Love You is fascinating stuff, and it ranks among one of the year's best local films so far.