‘The Love Affair’ more than a film on infidelity

CEBU, Philippines – After milking dry the “other woman” narrative, screenwriters are now turning the tables by letting the married woman do the cheating this time around.

On TV, there’s “My Faithful Husband,” where ambitious wife goes behind doting husband’s back when her ex reappears. On the big screen, a 24-year marriage is shattered in “The Love Affair” when wife does the deed with hubby’s best friend, of all people.

But Bea Alonzo, star of the newest Star Cinema drama “The Love Affair,” made sure to clarify that the film “isn’t another mistress movie.”

“It’s about love, forgiveness and one’s quest for happiness,” says Bea during the movie’s Cebu press conference at the Radisson Blu Hotel, before she and co-stars Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta met fans at SM City Cebu.

The 27-year-old fixture of big screen complicated romances plays here a lawyer named Adie, who is nursing a bad breakup with the guy she was all set to marry (played by Tom Rodriguez). She meets Vince (Richard Gomez), who himself is still reeling from the betrayal of his wife of 24 years named Patricia (Dawn Zulueta). As Patricia implores for her husband’s forgiveness, Vince and Adie bond over their shared heartbreak, and are even more drawn to each other with their common hobby of sailing.

For her part, a radiant-looking Dawn described “The Love Affair” as a tale of “three individuals who meet a crossroads in their lives.”

“How they face these challenges is what viewers should watch out for,” adds Dawn, 46. “I think a moviegoer can relate to at least one of the characters. Richard and I are married here, so you will see the dynamics of what goes on in a marriage. Those who are single, on the other hand, will be able to relate to the character of Bea.”

Bea shares that her sailing scenes with the athletic Richard was particularly challenging, since a typhoon struck during filming.

“The wind was so strong, but we had to go on with the shooting and complete the job,” Bea explains. “The emotional scenes were also a challenge, especially that the story does not have an explicit protagonist. There’s no black and white character; they’re all grey. Each character is going through something. Each character made a mistake. The lessons they will learn from these mistakes is what viewers should watch out for.”

Political spouses

Dawn and Richard, whose popular tandem has been resurrected of late through a hit soap opera and a film cameo, shrug off queries that their on-cam chemistry might ignite jealousy among their respective spouses.

“My husband trusts me when it comes to the projects I choose. All I had to do was tell him that these were the things required of my character. He also knows that I set limits when needed,” says Dawn, who shares two kids with Davao del Norte Congressman Anton Lagdameo Jr.

Same thing with Richard, who says wife Lucy Torres-Gomez “understands my work, and I even talk to her about the scenes I did.”

Dawn credits open communication for keeping her marriage intact, a practice she recommends to other couples.

The actress quips, “Be honest. When you’re in a marriage, it’s very important that you communicate about everything that each of you are going through – with your work, your dreams, how we want to raise the kids and what they are going through. Tendency is, if both of you are very busy, there’s no longer time for conversations. Now, we always discuss how we will rear the kids, since it should depend on their characters. So yes, communication is the key.”

Both married to politicos, Dawn and Richard says their spouses’ line of work gives them a wider perspective, beyond the trappings of their glamorous industry.

“My work alone is very public,” says Dawn. “Politics is more so, very public. But since politics is service to the people, I feel that is a very good position for me to be in [being a politico’s spouse] because I think it’s good for us celebrities to be exposed to that side of society every now and then. It gives me a wider view of our world. It’s good for me to meet the people in the provinces, learn their needs, hopes and expectations. My showbiz world is full of make-believe and kababawan, so I enjoy touching base with reality when I go to the province with my husband and personally meet the people.”

On the other hand, Lucy (Leyte’s fourth district representative) had Richard as her chief-of-staff at the onset of her political career, and this opened the actor’s eyes to the huge responsibilities of public officials.

“I had to help her prepare for her day-to-day work. It took a toll on my work, so I stopped being her chief of staff and became her district planning officer instead which wasn’t as intensive,” says Richard.

Directed by Nuel Naval, “The Love Affair” unfolds in cinemas nationwide beginning today. – VAB