In the midst of the 2023 1st Summer Film Festival, Philippine cinema offered a treat that left audiences questioning the boundaries between reality and fiction. “Love You Long Time,” directed by JP Habac under Studio Three Sixty and starring Carlo Aquino and Eisel Serrano, is a captivating romance drama that skillfully blurs the lines between two worlds—those of reality and script.
Reality Unveiled: The Beginning
The movie opens with a glimpse into Inkay’s reality—a poignant breakup scene, followed by her boss’s reprimand, and the counsel of a caring best friend. The initial trajectory appears to be set: a woman dealing with the aftermath of heartbreak and professional challenges.
Before embarking on a trip to Baguio, a crucial moment offers a peek into her creative world. An image of Inkay typing “The end” onto a page symbolizes the conclusion of a story, but little do we know, it marks the beginning of a narrative that will soon entwine reality and imagination.
Script vs. Reality
Script: As Inkay journeys to Baguio, a seemingly casual incident occurs when she drops her phone and consequently bumps into another car.
Reality: This incident is rather insignificant. It isn’t just a minor bump or mishap; instead, it represents a significant car crash that Inkay truly experienced.
Script: Inkay arrives at Tita Mench’s house and inquires about the strawberries they had discussed during their text exchange. Tita Mench informs her that the strawberries are no longer available.
Reality: The film later reveals that the strawberries hold a more poignant significance—the first shot in the hospital shows Inkay in the ICU, and the strawberries are present, adding a layer of emotion and connection to the narrative.
Script: Inkay and Uly’s connection is established through their interactions via the walkie-talkie.
Reality: Their initial meeting took place in Baguio on April 20, 2018, coinciding with Tata’s birthday. This revelation underscores the intertwining of their experiences, bridging the gap between the scripted and the actual happening in reality.
Is it the end?
As the narrative of “Love You Long Time” reaches its conclusion, the film takes us back to the pivotal moment where the storyline shifts. Uly and Ikay stand face to face, echoing the description she provided earlier—a subtle suggestion that their meeting on her aunt’s birthday might indeed have happened. This interplay between reality and script is emblematic of how Ikay’s imagination, coupled with the walkie-talkie, infuses a personal essence into her story, blurring the boundary between reality and fiction.
This tale beautifully exemplifies how Ikay’s creative prowess allowed her to reframe her own life experiences and relationships, granting her the catharsis and voice she sought. Her hesitance towards marrying Uly wasn’t a manifestation of love’s absence; rather, it stemmed from her unpreparedness and the weight of unspoken sentiments she carried. Through her crafted narrative, she bestowed upon them the ending they merited, exposing the profoundness of her feelings for Uly. It’s plausible that Ikay’s imagination influenced Uly’s storytelling or, alternatively, the film aimed to immerse us in Ikay’s emotional journey toward Uly.
Want to learn more about the captivating ending of the film? Read here: https://www.wazzup.ph/ending-of-love-you-long-time/
