When love unfolds without frills

Film review: Till My Heartaches End

MANILA, Philippines - The trouble with watching films like Till My Heartaches End is that you will be mistaken for a fan or follower of the Kim Chiu-Gerald Anderson tandem.

I am not.

With a title inspired by another love song, you expect the plot to be contrived or slanted to please the kilig crowd which is obviously the market for this film. You also expect the film to end happily ever after, so to speak, and never mind if the whole film drips of unrequited and/or improbable love. I also expect the film to have its ample share of heart-rending scenes that will have viewers reaching out for their hankies and sobbing quietly in the darkness of the theater.

I watched like a good sport with the kilig crowd and surprise, the film didn’t unfold the way I expected it.

There are two sets of characters (notably Matet de Leon, Tibo Jumalon and Boots Anson-Roa) who are able to give insights on lead characters as the story unfolds. This device helped define the characters mostly on the seemingly one-dimensional life of Kim. She is a simple girl with uncomplicated notion of happiness and that is to serve, please and to be with the man she loves at all time.

The two met by accident in a café where Gerald works. Here, Matet and boyfriend Tibo are sorting out their differences while Kim waits outside in the rain. Gerald goes out, talks to the girl. They meet again by accident one more time and still another time in another place. For its seeming coincidence, lover boy Gerald concludes: this is destiny.

Truth is the film doesn’t try too hard to fulfill that “destiny” whatever it is.

Love blooms as lovers try to get a crack at careers they want.

Kim is into nursing and eventually passed the board. Gerald metamorphoses from waiter to real estate agent with alarming success.

Alas, this word success has its price and love is threatened and eventually terminated — at least for a while.

For me, the superstar in this film is not Kim or Gerald but the scriptwriter and director Joey Reyes who knows how to tell a story and tell it well by avoiding all the predictability of love stories.

He is complemented by an ensemble of capable actors who deliver. Desiree del Valle is a standout, Matet has consistent focus and Boots provides the aura of maternal love that helps define the “destiny” of Kim and Gerald. Kim’s character has become predictable (she has become the Princess of Martyrdom in local films and telenovela). On the other hand, Gerald manages to spring some acting tour de force that proves he has something other than his good looks. His acting isn’t that thoroughly nuanced yet but his hard work is paying off quite well.

The music of Jesse Lucas complements Reyes’ superb storytelling.

But in the end, this is one of the best output of Joey Javier Reyes.

To be sure, I think even senior citizens will like this.

But for Pete’s sake, can’t we have love stories with titles not coming from popular love songs? I know this is marketing strategy but a good film like this one by Reyes can be mistaken for another telenovela for its title alone.

Not fair for a serious director like Reyes.

This is where my own heartache as moviegoer begins.