The title of today’s column was derived from the last verse of 1 Corinthians 13. It is the best definition of love, I dare say. Quoting its most iconic verses 4-7, it reads: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Needed to research it and get it correctly because after watching Adolf Alix Jr.’s latest movie Unconditional, these words sprung in my mind, because it captured perfectly the different kind of love that Greg, a transman formerly known as Regina (Allen Dizon), and Anna, a popular social media maven (Rhian Ramos) shared in this gem of a motion picture.
Emotionally honest
Screenplay written by Jerry Gracio, directed by Adolf Alix Jr. with BR Productions as its film producer, Unconditional is a romantic drama about Greg (Dizon) and Anna (Ramos), and how their relationship affects Greg’s mother Dolores (Elizabeth Oropesa) and sister (Terry), as well as his ever supportive and understanding best friend Liam (Brandon Ramirez).
It also highlights Anna’s means of finding calm, peace and herself in Siargao, with the help of her best friend Ulysses (Rico Barrera) and her parental figure, uncle Jonel (Joel Lamangan) plus the why and how she deals with the “you keep me hanging on” kind of relationship with Mark (Paolo Gumabao).
The exploration and navigation of the major characters and the relationships they have with the other characters make its narrative of a woke woman and a transman heartrending, full of feels and most truthful.
The relationship of Greg and his mother Dolores presented with a tender genuineness despite the grim condition of his mama dearest. The friendship of Greg and Liam, was at its most platonic and pure. The amity that Anna had with Ulysses was keen and tender-hearted. Her relationship with Mark confusing and uncertain. Her kinship with uncle Jonel, affecting and brave.
Gracio’s dialogues did not feel and sound like they came from a screenplay. The actors delivered it at its most natural, it had a cadence and ring to it that we hear and exchange in conversations with people who we care for and are dearest to us.
The film’s emphasis on accuracy and truth, which was put forward with a great deal of consideration and restraint thus making it all the more from the heart.
Living for love
It was pleasurable to see Dizon clean, fresh and every inch of him on screen screamed leading man. How he traversed the complexities, insecurities and longings of a transman, Allen giving life and passion to Greg was truly praiseworthy.
With Dizon a pained cry, a meaningful glance, an unmistakable longing reflected in his eyes, a steely silence, plus the passion and vulnerably he gave Greg, showcased that he has truly become one of the better actors of this generation.
On point as well, and was in her A game, Ramos displayed emotional maturity and sincerity in her depiction of Anna. Loving the fact that Ramos’ did not give Anna the melodramatic excesses that is why Ramos’ portrayal of her character was forthright, never bordered on the hysterics, always unfeigned, laced with grace and openness.
Another plus factor, there were no awkward meet cute templated moments. There were no orchestrated romantic sequences. Just two scarred and beautiful people taking a chance with a make-or-break romance and how far they can go with their choice.
Praiseworthy as well was how the special friendship of Greg and Liam unfolded. What the film showed was that the two shared a bond that was stronger than love and friendship. And that yes, it indeed better to have just one true friend that a thousand of lovers.
The conversation scene shared by Dizon and Ramirez, and how they traced their history, it made my eyes misty. What power it held, a positive depiction of a friendship that did not care about labels, orientation and preference,
Kudos as well to Lamangan as uncle Jonel. Gay baby boomers and Gen Xers, will totally agree and get the uncle’s definition and way of love — how he lived for his beloved, no regret when it comes to being loved, or not being loved with the same intensity and intention.
Unconditional, with its delicate and sensitive approach to a relationship that it relatively new to most of us, and the insightful manner of presenting the ever-complex reality about love and identity, its gamble of pushing the romantic genre to become out of the ordinary, without a doubt, is the truest manifestation that indeed, “faith, hope and love abide, these three, but the greatest of these all is love.”