When director Joji Alonso said during the gala night of her Cinemalaya entry, Belle Douleur, that it was time to do something for herself, we felt the movie was going to feel like a carefully written love letter.
While watching Belle Douleur, you can feel the precision and conscientiousness in every scene, dialogue, and the little details. It was definitely a love letter that took its time.
Mylene Dizon (as Liz) and Kit Thompson (as Jon) made sure that the letter was read the way its writer, Therese Cayaba, intended it to be. Profound may not be the right word to describe it but it’s definitely compelling, and it could be very well due to the fact that it It’s not exactly a profound letter, but it was a moving one and grounded in reality which is probably why the audience appeared to be engrossed during the screening.
Belle Douleur is not your typical age-doesn’t-matter love story. Instead, it’s a look at the sensibilities when it comes to relationships one has with lovers, friends, and even one’s self. It explores the significant events that might push someone to make sudden, seemingly reckless, yet life-changing decisions and the deliberate efforts one must be willing to make (and not make) to find satisfaction and happiness.
Liz is reeling from a devastating loss and is at a crossroad in her life. Having sacrificed normalcy for most of her years to care for her ailing mother, she now has the opportunity to do as she pleases.
She takes on a chance with a much younger lad, Josh, and goes through a roller coaster of emotion from passion to pain and sacrifice. While the movie discusses the usual constraints women like Liz face from society and the people in their circle, the movie did not spend much time making a big deal out of it; there was no Shakespearan attempt to present these issues.
This gives the film a more grounded approach, preventing it from becoming a daunting watch. It paces well and doesn’t try to pull one on us, audience. Enough details were sprinkled throughout the film to allow you foresee what might come. That’s why when you get to the climax, there’s no sense of a blindside.
As Liz struggles with moving forward with a man who clearly cares for her and dealing with her insecurities, she makes decisions that may resonate well with some audiences, which is part of its appeal. On the other end of the spectrum is Josh, the complete opposite of Liz, who is willing to have an open mind with their situation.
Dizon was unsurprisingly impressive; effortless even. And she never looked this beautiful, which is why once the eyes start to betray her strong facade, the effect is instantaneous. Supported by an equally able supporting cast, notably Marlon Rivera with his funny one-liners, Dizon and Thompson provide a solid performance, making the movie charming, entertaining, and painful all at the same time.
Image courtesy of Cinemalaya Institute
