About Us But Not About Us: The Hunger for Mystery, the Chase for Answers

Trigger Warnings: Depression, Suicide, Pandemic, Talent Insecurities.

Now I guess the secret to films filled with talking heads, especially when it's just between two people, is the hunger for mystery; the chase for answers. This is what About Us But Not About Us made me realize. Sure, we knew it from the trailer. Someone took his life. But for what? Why? Are all the hypotheses true that Marcus is the partner to both of them? Is that the twist we are all getting as we near toward the ending? Is Lancelot in love with Ericson? Is Ericson really just a mentor, a father figure to Lancelot and nothing else more than a friend? Does he feel anything romantic toward Lance despite the many times he said everything is platonic and he only sees the sexually ambiguous, good looking boy as a son? Is it really just Marcus' morals that made him conflicted with Ericson and Lancelot's relationship? Is the representation of being a writer, a lecturer, a student, done right?

One thing is for sure. If Elijah Canlas looks at me like that, I might just become a ruler. No matter what Tennessee Williams said about straightness.

Chos, ayoko na i-process pero ang galing talaga ni Elijah. He reminded me of all the times Nora Aunor cries with only one eye, the eye where the camera angle is. Those innocent eyes turning uncanny to greedy but with restricted madness, yes. Romnick was equally pivotal. Lana did a thing. Opposed to his Ten Little Mistresses, About Us But Not About Us thrived on restraints, despite the number of topics talked about, the flow was seamless. Planned (pun intended, look for the pun in the film). The Neil Daza camera work? Apt, boxing each character when needed as if they cannot step out of it unless told.

I'm not even sure who is the antagonist in that 90 minutes, like how long they were only allowed to stay in that diner. But I believe at the end of everything, Marcus just still cared about himself and his craft. Period.

Eme-eme lang 'to, hindi ko rin alam pinag e-ebas ko. Nood na lang kayo. But if you're dreaming to become a writer and you're not into hardcore criticisms saying you have no talent, I won't recommend it or, you have to be prepared for it. I know. (Some) Writers can be or are insecure of their own works, always thinking they have no talent, so I'm saying this.