Two lovers spend their limited days as they reflect on their bittersweet memories as an illicit couple.
Unconventional Situation
Directed by Bona Fajardo and written by Onay Sales, Hanggang Kailan? (previously known as "Baka Hanggang Dito Na Lang") is a romantic drama that operates on an unconvential love situation, which stoutly questions its audience of how long could they keep a relationship despite its forbidden nature.
Shot in the mesmerizing Saga prefecture in Japan, the movie follows the amorous relationship between Donnie (Xian Lim) and Kath (Louise Delos Reyes) as they spend the last 4 days of their illegal affair.
From the get-go, it was apparent that Fajardo wants the audiences to feel an authentic connection between his actors, backed by their archetypal boyfriend-girlfriend retorts and romantic one-liner hooks while inviting us into their very conflicted situation — a premise in which the movie managed to explain within the first 20 minutes.
Unexpected Tandem
Cinematography wise, the film was very pleasing to look at, from the picturesque city of Saga prefecture to the Santorini-inspired resort in Batanags as their major shooting locations. Evidently, the film's major strength lies with its ability to be bold enough to discuss a wrongful relationship without glorifying it.
The problem, however, was that the film didn't actually flourised beyond that point. Instead, it generally felt extremely flat while jumping back-and-forth from the characters' past memories to their dragging day-to-day itineraries in Japan, resulting into an hour and a half of cringeworthy and mediocre movie experience.
As an unexpected and quite experimental tandem, it is important to note that both Lim and Delos Reyes committed a respectable performance, giving justice to their individual roles. However, their lack of believable chemistry created a vexatious atmosphere to the plot, justified by their quasi-romantic appeal, making the film even more insufferable to watch as it went along.
Overall, the characters' somewhat ignorant and childish exchange didn't do the film any favors and instead, put a heavy toll on an already problematic screenplay.
Let's Be Reel
The movie had a potential to be a strong Valentine's day entry if it had a more refined script and a better casting pair up. With all things considered, Hanggang Kailan? is one of those films that doesn't scream "a must-watch".
3.5/10
Reel Points
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