What’s with the third party syndrome in PH movies?
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First, there was “No Other Woman.” Then came “The Mistress”, and now, “A Secret Affair.”
Why do stories about infidelity spring up like mushrooms these days? What’s with all these moaning and groaning in dark corners while the innocent spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend is not looking? Just as important, why do movies that make peeping toms out of moviegoers make such a killing at the box-office?
Movies being the mirrors of life that they are, the answer is easy: we love being voyeurs. Another thing is, even the most reclusive of people know of a mistress in their circle. It’s something a conservative country like the Philippines is teeming with. And it’s grist for the gossip mill.
Psychologist’s view
Showbiz psychologist Dr. Randy Dellosa thinks films about third parties create emotions so strong, people can’t resist queuing up to cinemas. He thinks there’s something in these movies for everyone.
“Those who have had a first-hand experience of secret affairs in their own relationship will readily identify with the actress playing the mistress or commiserate with the anguish of the betrayed wife. Those unhappy with their current relationship may be drawn to such movies because of a subconscious wish to engage in secret affairs themselves,” he explains.
To be sure, not all mistresses are the same. Some are cruel down to
their bone marrows. Others are simply in it for the money. The
scenarios are endless.Why do stories about infidelity spring up like mushrooms these days? What’s with all these moaning and groaning in dark corners while the innocent spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend is not looking? Just as important, why do movies that make peeping toms out of moviegoers make such a killing at the box-office?
Movies being the mirrors of life that they are, the answer is easy: we love being voyeurs. Another thing is, even the most reclusive of people know of a mistress in their circle. It’s something a conservative country like the Philippines is teeming with. And it’s grist for the gossip mill.
Psychologist’s view
Showbiz psychologist Dr. Randy Dellosa thinks films about third parties create emotions so strong, people can’t resist queuing up to cinemas. He thinks there’s something in these movies for everyone.
“Those who have had a first-hand experience of secret affairs in their own relationship will readily identify with the actress playing the mistress or commiserate with the anguish of the betrayed wife. Those unhappy with their current relationship may be drawn to such movies because of a subconscious wish to engage in secret affairs themselves,” he explains.
As the Holy Bible says, judge not, lest ye be judged.
But one thing's sure -- mistresses make interesting characters. There's never a dull moment with them. And they're usually sexier, better dressed, even younger than the wife.
So their presence — on screen or off -- are riveting. Think Anne Curtis ("No Other Woman)" and Andi Eigenmann ("A Secret Affair), whose role as third parties add spice and eye candy to the film. Besides, when the faces — and the bodies — are these tempting, can moviegoers of both sexes resist?
This is the stuff blockbusters are made of. So producers cash in on the money back guarantee as if there's no tomorrow.
Take note, too, that mistresses — or a third party -- are so provocative they drive people to drop quotable lines.
Examples:
- "You know what, ang kasal dapat driver's license lang eh. Renewable every three years.Para pag narealize niyo na ayaw niyo na, hindi niyo na mahal ang isa't-isa you can just quit." (Lovi Poe in "My Neighbor's Wife")
- "Ang mundo ay isang malaking Quiapo. Maraming snatcher. Maagawan ka. Lumaban ka!" (Carmi Martin in "No Other Woman").
- "Hindi dahil gusto mo, makukuha mo." (Bea Alonzo in The Mistress)
- "I'm getting tired of flirting with you. I like you, you like me. Ba't nga ba hindi ko makuha ang gusto ko?" (John Lloyd Cruz in "The Mistress")
- "Layuan mo ang asawa ko. Tagalog yan para maintindihan mo" (Hilda Koronel in "The Mistress").
- "(Anne)Masakit talagang masaksak sa likod ng kahit aspile lang ano? (Andie)Sinadya mo ba yun? (Anne) Of course not. Kung sinadya ko yun ice pick ko na ang gagamitin ko." (Anne Curtis and Andie Eigenmann in "A Secret Affair").
- "Ano bang akala mo sa pambabae? Parang flash floods? Na kapag tumila ang ulan ay huhupa ang baha? Lumikas ka na habang maaga bago mag critical level." (Jaclyn Jose in "A Secret Affair")
- "(A) Bakit ba kasi may mga babaeng papatol sa lalake kahit na alam nilang hindi pwede? (J)Kaya kabit ang tawag sa kanila kasi daig pa nila ang epoxy kung kumabit. Kaya querida kasi mga kiri. Kaya mistress kasi nakaka-stress." (Jaclyn Jose and Anne Curtis in "A Secret Affair")
The third party syndrome — like the action film or bold pictures craze that came before it — will also pass away. Moviegoers can take only so much. And the saturation point will one day come.
But that day still seems far off. For now, moviegoers can't have enough of this third party syndrome. And producers are only too happy to give them what they want.
Now, who said, "Ano ba tingin mo sa mga lalake? Bulate? May pa early bird promo? The early bird catches the worm?"
Ask your friendly neighborhood movie addict to find out.
Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed. Yahoo! Philippines OMG! welcomes opinions—and the occasional wisecracks—that enrich and highlight new angles on its stories. Below-the-belt rants may be a fact of online life, but that doesn't mean you should turn into a troll. You can speak your mind without bashing anyone. Keep it clean, folks.
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