User Reviews

***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** Tito (TONTON GUTIERREZ) is an engineer who can't choose between his young sexy wife Elsie (ARA MINA) and his exotic secretary Susan (SHARMAIN SUAREZ). While the pregnancy of his wife will later force him to resume their love, Tito is initially pressured by Susan to leave Elsie for her. The bombshell is dropped on Tito when Elsie confides SHE will LEAVE him for her cancer-stricken lover, a woman (!) named Alice (RITA AVILA). Elsie's quiet mom (EVA DARREN) finds it hard to accept Elsie's newly-confessed lesbianism, as does the studly Tito, reluctant to share custody of his child with Alice. Meanwhile indignant Susan walks out, observing astutely that Tito loves Elsie more than her. All these triangulations, recriminations and resolutions are witnessed by tomboy Barok (Gina Alajar), Alice's new lover and caretaker. Of course it pains her tha Alice loves Elsie more; of course it pains her that with Elsie's pregnancy, Alice and Elsie will get closer than ever. Jun Lana's story/Bibeth Orteza Siguion-Reyna's script is definitely a captivating narrative. With top-drawer casting (award winners Alajar, Avila, Darren and Gutierrez), Carlitos Siguion-Reyna mines Lana's story with style, heart and social comment. Occasional lapses (what's the use of Roi Rodrigo & Philip Lazaro as a gay couple? how can Tito be both an unfeeling stud and earnest father-to-be?) and lack of solid dialogue for the veteran actresses hamper the film, but otherwise the insightful narration of Barok and the interplay between the straight and bisexual characters make "TATLO MAGKASALO" worthwhile. Ara Mina, a relatively new star, delivers well and Rita Avila is luminous in a brief, dying-of-cancer role. Ryan Cayabyab's music (present in most Siguion-Reyna films) is fittingly evocative and buoys the story; the panoramas by Edgar Littaua (breathtaking views of mountains) add nice local color. "TATLO MAGKASALO" is a must-see for any fan of the director.