Musings: No Other Woman (2011)

No Other Woman, Philippines (2011)
Directed by Ruel Bayani
Cast: Anne Curtis, Christine Reyes, Derek Ramsey, Carmi Martin

Wife. Husband. Mistress.
Mistress promises no emotional attachment. Husband gets tempted. Wife fights for what's 'hers'.
That's probably how I can briefly describe No Other Woman.

Watch this movie because: a) You're genuinely interested to see it b) you're after the hotness of Anne, Christine and Derek c) you have to kill time. d) you want to make 'okray' of the mainstream Pinoy movies lately e) you're on the look out for 'Pak na Pak' quotable quotes that teased you in the trailer or f) like me, you may want all of the above, with the emphasis on your fetish for love affairs on the silver screen.

Basically, I looked forward to see this because I love watching 'love affair' movies and so far, nothing about it has struck me as something new. But it certainly did make me think about so many things about this intricate, complicated web of affairs:

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1. If you're the mistress, don't ever dare say 'yes' to the wife's invitation to have dinner at their house! That's like a death trap- suicide! Remember what your parents told you when you were younger? 'Don't talk to strangers!' And let me modify this, especially if that stranger is your lover's wife! Unless of course, you're Anne, who's clearly adventurous! Go figure.

2. If you can't say your sentiments loud and clear at the mall where you've seen the other woman, follow her and also aim what she's buying (e.g. blue bag), be sure to bring your wits with you and come up with a great analogy about protecting what's yours.

Just make sure it's the last of its kind, otherwise, that's super dyahe! Pinag-aawayan, eh marami naman palang katulad? *facepalm*  Make sure to stress that you don't like sharing these kinds of nice things, especially...*drum roll* your husband. That is if, of course, he's a 'thing' to you, among others.

3. Don't put a period where you can put an ellipsis or...something like that... (e.g. “We’re just two consenting adults having fun, there’s no emotional attachment.”) Point is, you might want to brush up your English 101, may be you could have put a question mark on the latter. (e.g. There's no emotional attachments?) At least, there's no declaration, instead there's uncertainty. That way, you won't be eating your statements.

But other than enhancing your grammar and so on, why not get a good grip of this affair and go get yourself your own man! You know, sometimes it's better to have the entire cake than having just a piece of it. At 'di ka pa nakiki-share, buong-buo siyang sa 'yo! 'Wag mo lang hayaan ang iba na tikman ito. ;)

4. In our society today, it's generally a sort of accepted reality that men are said to be weaker and are therefore, more vulnerable to have affairs than women. Nature raw kasi nila yan. (e.g. “Kapag ang lalaki, maya’t maya nagpapalit ng babae, Ok lang yun! Basta sayo lang umuuwi. Pero pag ang lalaki may suki nang kabit, dun ka na lumaban!”) Just imagine if it was Christine's character having The Other Man and we'd all conclude - What a Slut!!! In this case, we can't just call Derek's character as a...uhm, man whore? (excuse my French) Because yes, he was weak and there's this temptation - Anne's role- and again, she's the slut! It's like saying, sorry, Derek's just a man and it's in his nature to get tempted so we can let this pass...we totally understand.

But seriously, is it also the case for women? Hmm.. Anyway, this brings me to another point. Anne's character is to be blamed!

5. Yeah right. That is true. But of course, Derek participated in it so they are to be blamed. What I don't quite like in most Pinoy love affair movies is that no matter how evil and wicked The Other Woman is, sometime, somewhere along the way, her character gets redeemed (e.g. Anne rescues Derek, calls Christine, says sorry and strives to be a better girl) Why can't we just leave the bad girl as the bad girl. And not turn her into the 'nicier' girl later one (because...uhm... Anne's 'good girl' image might be ruined after portraying this evil mistress??)

Hence, we resort to twisting the plot, make her conscience eat her up and boom- she's good and nice na! I think, instead of crafting this predictable way to end a love affair movie, and spoon feeding the viewers to what is supposed to happen, we should probably educate them on what should be the ending for this love story, for these characters. Or more importantly, to create an ending with the thought of: what would the characters probably or most likely do in their story... not necessarily anchoring it to what the audience would like the characters to do in their story. eh di sana sila na gumawa ng pelikula! ;)


6. You want a sure way for people to dig what you're talking about? Figures of speech, these can come handy!! (e.g “I-pack up mo na si Lucy Torres mo. Ilabas mo na si Gretchen Baretto. Ako na bahala sa red stiletto mo.”) 

At sorry naman sa hasty generalization!:

(e.g. Crying scene with her mother, Charmaine: “Tsaka ano bang mahirap kalaban? Yung putang mahirap o yung putang mayaman?”
Her mother's answer: “Pareparehong puta lang yun! Ang mayaman bumibili ng Hermes sa mall, ang mahirap bumibili ng hermes sa Greenhills.”)


I assume after this, wala ng bibiling Hermes sa Greenhills! :))

7. Huwag mag-suot ng mala snake skin bikini. It will get under your skin,and people will see right through you.. sssssssssssssssssss.

8. For the love of (insert whatever name you like to insert here), nakaka- distract yung anak ni Christine and Derek!!!!! My gosh, ang nasabi lang namin: Wala na talagang ma i-cast, teh? Ahhhhh. Like total ahhhhhhh!!!!!!! The way I am distracted here... Yun na!

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Sorry, got distracted there.
Here is the supposed ending. LOL. :)

Sometimes the use of musical score drowns out the dialogues; it might have been used to much. The score is blaring on the background that I can't even hear what the characters are saying anymore. The song, "Now that You're Gone" may send confusing messages when it's juxtaposed to the visual elements.  And is it really the appropriate song for that sequence?? Go watch!

If there's one thing I'd like others to learn from this film, it is the realization that being a mistress is not something to be proud of. Might sound challenging, fun and thrilling but at the end of the day, there's nothing more satisfying than coming home to your man- the one who's really yours.

Now, go get him! :)

Quotable quotes:

"Kiss me but don't you dare fall in love with me."