Movie Review: Pare, Mahal Mo Raw Ako

Image courtesy of www.thefilmgeekguy.blogspot.com

Main Cast: Edgar Allan Guzman, Michael Pangilinan, Katrina Michelle Legaspi

Director: Joven Tan 

MTRCB Rating: R-13

Produced by: Viva Films  

This is a love story between best friends… a one-sided love, I should say. Mark (Edgar Allan) puts a real-life gay face to someone who is torn between friendship and love for his childhood friend, Red (Michael).

Without a doubt, Alan and La Aunor (in cameo role) stood out in this film about love without gender and the complexities it brings around his unconventional family. Alan is credibly gay as Mark, perfectly matched by Nora’s intensity as his non-conformist mother.  

In the local setting, gay-themed movies present issues that are often labeled as taboo, but are real and happening, as in the likes of Coco Martin in "Masahista", or Nathan Lopez  in "Ang Pagdadalaga Ni Maximo Oliveros". Mark’s transition of a homosexual boy’s coming of age is quite easy to the eye of an open-mind. Closeted gays are oftentimes powerless. 

Mark’s love for best friend Red, though unrequited, does not seem to diminish through the years that they were together. In fact, the clueless Red has become his inspiration and source of strength, amid obvious fears that he will be judged by their ‘barkada’ and by Red himself. 

It is a good enough story, only not good enough as presented on the big screen. For one, the story’s flow and narrative fall short, at times awkward in some scenes. The script could have been improved for more impact, as well as the acting of some actors who delivered them.

Katrina Legazpi aka Hopia seems not convincing as Mark’s friend and confidante Kaye. For someone who’s been in the industry for so long, Hopia has yet to master real acting and being at ease in front of the camera. A good workshop is in order. 

Michael Pangilinan, on the other hand, could have prepared more seriously for this movie, it being his film debut. He is given good scenes, but he fails to give them justice. Worth mentioning is the confession scene when the very nervous Mark, tearfully let out all his pent-up emotions to Red, telling him how much he cared and loved and respected their friendship. But Red obviously lacks the emotion to react believably. He is not able give life to his character, all he does is deliver memorized lines. 

Luckily, Joross Gamboa and Matt Evans help save the day. The two are visibly at home with their characters as part of the barkada, dishing out everything they can to uncover the mystery behind their friend Mark. Never a dull moment, their scenes are hilarious, as they recall each other’s ‘experiences’ with gay classmates during their high school days. These scenes had the audience in stitches. Oh, the long love letters, too…quite hard to imagine at this point.  

Needless to say, the presence of Nora Aunor is a big treat. Her ‘cameo’ role added more substance to the movie, along with Ana Capri’s.  Ask not, she won’t be La Aunor for nothing. 

Undeniably, the role of family is highlighted. Indeed, it is not so much about gender preference, as it is about the depth of family love and acceptance.

Friendship over romance. Brolove or bromance. It’s the ultimate test – whichever side you’re in.

“Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako”, is inspired by the song of the same title, written by the movie’s director himself, Joven Tan and interpreted by Michael Pangilinan.