Yesterday, my friends and I decided to watch Ang Dalawang Mrs. Reyes from Star Cinema, Quantum Films and IdeaFirst Company. It stars Judy Ann Santos as Lianne and Angelica Panganiban as Cindy. Two young wives with one common problem. Their husbands cheated. Inasawa ng asawa nila ang isa’t isa.
I entered the cinema without expectations. Joke. It was directed by Jun Robles Lana so I had expectations. I haven’t seen a trailer but I read an article on PEP that portion of the movie was shot in Taiwan during gay pride. That’s where I found out that the husbands were played by Joross Gamboa (Gary) and JC De Vera (Felix).
The movie is informative while still VERY entertaining. It’s a refreshing take on an otherwise serious and overdone topic. It isn’t your typical kabit and gay movie.
The film focuses more on the casualties of a broken relationship. It doesn’t talk about religion or the legalities of the marriage. It focuses on the two title roles and how they’ve come to understand the unusual situation they are in. Behind all the labels, we are still humans. We hurt. We get angry. We forgive.
Judy Ann Santos and Angelica Panganiban remind us that they have been acting since they were children, and that acting was like breathing for them. Angelica is great as always but Juday is Juday. Her acting shows depth, technique and maturity only someone with her experience and caliber can deliver.
Joross and JC also give a convincing performance as a couple. However, JC de Vera’s character, Felix is a bit limiting. For me, the character doesn’t go full circle at the end. Kudos to Carmi Martin for always giving us a laugh. Ang sakit po sa tiyan.
Jun Robles Lana films are always well made but just like in Die Beautiful, I kept on wondering if there are scenes cut out from the film. The daughter, Andrea Brillantes, is wearing a plaid shirt over a t-shirt. A tita in the audience tactlessly blurted “Ay, naging tomboy.” Ang funny and stereotypical but she made me think if this was originally part of the storyline. I also noticed an editing boo-boo when Juday was drunk near the pool and part of her dress got wet for no reason.
Overall, Ang Dalawang Mrs. Reyes is good and a must watch. Hopefully, behind all the jokes and laughter, the message still gets across to trigger change and making things better not just for the LGBTQQIP2SAA but for everyone.
