Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
The Commitment (Kasal) is a Filipino drama about a gay couple whose three year relationship becomes complicated when they’re invited to attend a wedding.
Sherwin (Arnold Reyes), a divorce lawyer, and Paolo (Oliver Aquino), a movie director, have been together for three years. When Sherwin’s younger sister becomes pregnant and must get married, Sherwin and Paolo decide to attend the wedding together. As they make plans for the wedding, Paolo begins to think about marrying Sherman.
However, Sherman is apprehensive about committing to Paolo. Not only is same sex marriage not legal in the Philippines, he can’t get past a time when Paolo slept with another man without his knowledge. And when they get to the wedding, Paolo discovers another reason for Sherwin’s apprehension.
Some Thoughts:
Although The Commitment is told well and the acting works, the cinematography could be better. The film tries too hard for a voyeuristic quality, and because of that, some of the camera angles are awkward.
The story has a good flow, and Reyes and Aquino are believable as boyfriends. Because there’s a sweetness between them, Sherwin’s hesitancy about committing to Paolo feels unusual at first. And despite the film opening with Sherwin accusing Paolo of being unfaithful, that alone doesn’t seem to be enough to give Sherwin pause.
Paolo and Sherwin have a complicated relationship that isn’t explored enough. It’s obvious that they have feelings for each other, but what’s not clear is the circumstances behind Paolo cheating on Sherwin. And if it bothers Sherwin so much, why does he stay with Paolo? He brings it up, then lets it drop so often that at times it feels like he’s gaslighting Paolo.
Because the film takes so long to reveal Sherwin’s reason for not wanting to commit to Paolo, his emotional outbursts make him look unhinged. We don’t get a sense that something more is going on until they arrive at Sherwin’s family. But when they do, the story really comes together.
The Final Verdict:
The Commitment is an interesting drama about a complicated relationship. The cinematography could use some work, but the story will pull you in and hold your attention.
