Till My Heartaches End

♣♣♣/♣♣♣♣♣

The non-linear flow of the story has a unique appeal of its own. It is as if everything is just a vague recollection of a love affair gone awry, shared over a cup of coffee on a rainy night. This, however is what also makes the movie boring, similar to the boredom one feels after hearing every little detail of a love story about which you could not care any less.

There is a lot of talk in this movie. Almost half the back-story is made known to the audience through the other characters' conversations (or better term, "gossip"). This is somehow effective, although one could not help but think that it is just done that way because they had no ample time to shoot extra scenes.

The movie is a little too preachy. It is as if most of the characters were relationship gurus, from the Auntie, to Matet, and even the slutty third party. There are some quotable quotes like that about the difference between "hearing versus listening" and "true conversation versus just talking" care of Desiree del Valle. And then there is the Milan rehashed "needing someone out of love or loving someone out of need."

Paolo, Paolo, Paolo. How one could relate to this character! To be young and restless, chasing after dreams you are not even sure of yet, in a rush to prove something to the world for no particular reason at all. Everything a blur. This is more like a Gerald Anderson movie than a Kimerald movie. His character is more fleshed out than that of Kim Chiu's. And since his acting chops are not that praise-worthy, it drags the film down. And Kim could not do much about it because her role as the stereotypical martyr could no longer be stretched.

At least their roles are maturing over time. Now what is left for them to do is undo the love team and try to establish themselves as solo actors, something Kim has already done in I Love You Goodbye. Gerald should do more workshops because his acting is not that far from Richard Gutierrez's, different roles, similar approach, not much depth.

Matet should be in more Star Cinema movies. She is simply funny and effective as a human fountain of sarcastic remarks. True comic relief without trying too hard.

This is just a minute detail but it is commendable how mainstream movies nowadays tend to insert different vernaculars (in this case, Bisaya) in their dialogues. It is just cool to hear some of the country's many languages.

The ending is too abrupt. It makes the whole movie feel like an episode of a weekly teenybopper drama.