Camille (Franki Russell) is a successful interior designer for the rich and famous. She is married to a renowned artist Rene Manalang (Jay Manalo), but is actively involved in a steamy affair with her high-school sweetheart and current co-worker Geoff (Kiko Estrada). One night, Geoff brought along a budding artist Thea (Ava Mendez) to keep Rene pre-occupied while he had his tryst with Camille in her room.
Writer, cinematographer and director Yam Laranas is most well-know for his usual forte of horror, with films like "Sigaw" (2004), "The Road" (2011), and "Aurora" (2018). This time around, he returned to the sex drama genre he started with, in films like "Balahibong Pusa" (2001) starring Joyce Jimenez, Jay Manalo and Rica Peralejo, and "Hibla" (2002) starring Maui Taylor, Antonio Aquitania and again, Rica Peralejo.
There was nothing new in this story of adultery and obsession in this new Vivamax film. With someone wrapped up in bandages in the opening scene, it was obvious that it will still follow the usual formula of sex with violence, and it did. With someone in bandages in the opening scene, it was obvious that it will still follow the usual Vivamax formula of sex with violence, it did. At least, Laranas tried to innovate with his camera work, but it can get too shaky.
Franki Russell is very attractive, but her mentally-unstable character Camille was very mechanically played. Kiko Estrada had nothing much to do than be the handsome lover who kept a revolving door of women. Jay Manalo made the most of his good role here as an older man trapped in a loveless marriage out of a sense of gratitude. However, it was Ava Mendez who gave the best performance in the cast with her vulnerable portrayal of Thea.
It was interesting that the story was set among artists, and it featured some beautiful art pieces by local artists, like Franklin Cana Valencia (the painter behind Rene's million-peso masterpieces), Neil Alvarez (the painter behind Thea's portrait, which drove Camille crazy), and Eric Cabillo (the sculptor who made Rene's ballerina statuette). However, it was disturbing to portray young female artists like Thea with a desperate side-racket. 2/10.
I like your account of the story. After watching, I then seek to understand the meaning behind all this. It seems what Frankie Russel portrayed is a a narcissist and self-centered woman. Their marriage isn't particularly loveless I think because of Rene's actions, although his lack of aggression and exhibition of jealousy showed that he was at a point where he already gave up. He must be well aware of his wife's crimes against him and Thea became his escape.
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