If mainstream teleseryes and movies are overfed with mistress plotlines, the BL world seems to be obsessed with the throuple trope, and Idea First and Vivamax’s latest exclusive offering, “TABLE FOR 3”, is no exception. But what sets this movie apart from its counterparts is its gamut of good and bad points. From its straightforward narrative, wonderful ensemble performance, to its rushed pace, and barely-there soul, TABLE FOR 3 is an attempt at a fresh take on a trite concept.
When Pinoy BL fans see a movie with the same writer and director of the hot Gameboys series and movies, it’s an easy click. However, the fans of the earnestness and relatability of Gameboys may either be surprised or disappointed to find out that TABLE FOR 3 tackles not young love, but the complicatedness of adult gay relationships.
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The movie wastes no time and goes straight to the exposition: Topper Fabregas’ character Marlon convinces Paul (Arkin del Rosario) to introduce a third person into their relationship through a tacky Powerpoint presentation. This scene is juxtaposed with a tense, ominous three-way date, where the characters of Marlon, Paul and Jeremy (Jesse Guinto), sit in silence, yet seem to be throwing shades through gestures and glares. This first scene not only straightforwardly sets the movie up, but also gives a glimpse of a great ensemble performance. Experienced thespian Topper is superb as the overcompensating Marlon, which makes Arkin del Rosario’s calm and collected Paul a stark yet effective contrast. Completing the throuple is pageant king Jesse Guinto, who brought in believable charm and exuberance as Jeremy despite this being his first major role.
Right after the exposition, the movie also wastes no time to cut to its first sex scene – a long one – necessary to an extent and gratuitous to a point. It is apparent that it serves as a plot device: during the act, Paul’s emotions change from doubt to acceptance (thanks to Arkin’s effective layering), thus threading the film to it’s second act: the throuple’s new normal. This scene also reveals another bright aspect of this film: Emerson Texon‘s music score – Classy, enigmatic, yet thrilling, the scoring amplifies the emotions, whether its passion, vulnerability or hopelessness. The music gives off a Scud films vibe (Utopians, Permanent Residence, AmpethaMINE). However, the seven-minute scene served more as audience service. Let’s face it, some people come to watch three hot, brave actors give it a go like they mean it, so much so that it can already pass as soft core. After the scene serves its plot-related purpose, the rest is gratuitous sex. And within the 40-minute movie (yes, it’s that short), there are more sex scenes, perhaps almost half of the movie if combined. Necessary? Not necessarily. But will the movie be THE movie without them? Absolutely not. Fortunately or unfortunately, these scenes sell the movie and the genre. What’s good about Ash Malalum’s script is that he makes sure that the intimate scenes are either driven by the plot or drives the plot. Every intimate scene causes a new development in the story. Director Ivan Andrew Payawal also knows how to package these scenes. By the degree of passion, straightforwardness or sweetness in each scene, the characters’ intentions become clear.
Despite the clarity of the intentions of the intimate scenes, they were not enough to propel a plot with a script that feels rushed and ready to be over and done with. While the film takes time to introduce the idiosyncrasies of the characters through a well-executed and poignant scene (the best scene in the film, in my opinion), it fails to adequately develop them. Consequently, when the film reaches its climax, it resorts to a summarized dialogue in order to explain the background of the characters’ conflicts. And then, it concludes. There is no room to feel for, or root for the characters because the movie ends before one can even say ‘Awwww.’
In the end, the movie TABLE FOR 3 begs the question: What does this film aim to do? Does it want to contribute to the conversation of complicated queer relationships, or does it simply want to capitalize on the genre? I can’t help but compare this to TF3’s writer-director duo’s previous film, Two and One, which is also about a throuple relationship. That film was close to a BL masterpiece. The weight of the characters’ struggles felt more tangible, and their development more apparent. While Two and One felt like a sincere ode that took its time to cook, TABLE FOR 3 felt like a quick trip. Isang simpleng ‘palabas.’
Is the movie worth watching? It depends on what you want to take away from it. It’s got the elements of an elevated BL drama, just not at the right amount. But brave, daring and amazing performances ? It’s got a lot of that.
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