The Filipino audience is a bit complacent with how most of the pink films have been aggressive towards showing gratuitous sex and nudity. But it is not all vulgarity that we have produced; there is a couple in this genre that is more decent namely: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros and Maling Akala. Maling Akala is also one of the five films in competition in the last year's concluded Cinema One Originals. Although it gives the impression of being a low-budget work, it relies on how effective the two main actors' naturalistic acting approach.
JP (Victor Basa) runs from a crime he has committed and travels north. By coincidence, he gets to sit next to Teta (Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson) who is nine months pregnant. When Teta gives birth, JP accompanies the mother and child home to their fishpond in Sasmuan, Pampanga. Teta impulsively introduces JP as the father of her child, surprising both JP and her parents. When JP and Teta agree to play-act as husband and wife, their queer, dysfunctional tale begins.
Basa and Sta. Maria-Lacson are great choices for actors to play these characters. They are natural actors that inhibits an aura of genuineness even when minimalist acting has been employed. Although the film has built-in flashback scenes mainly regarding the crime committed by JP, it has been a comedown to the tension between the two characters. The story is intriguing and the flashbacks could have been minimized. The desired effect of the director could be more potent.
The river of Sasmuan adds to the highly-flavoured characteristics of the film. It could be deceiving in a way since it seems to be calm. Like the river, the characters are well composed but have desires that surpass the remoteness of its location. Teta begins to feel affection for JP but JP has adored the male physique even more with the presence of local fishermen. When Teta caught JP having intimacies with another man, Teta's supposedly conceived thoughts of a future relationship with JP dissolves.
Maling Akala secernates itself from the usual love story tragedies. It gives us no restrictions with what might occur between these two characters. They promised to see each other again after a year. It's probable that one might not show up or they are both present in the place. It takes courage to commit your heart to your beloved. But it also takes courage to be true to your heart. The heart is not always right. The correctness of the heart does not lie in the truth of reality but just the truth of the human consciousness.
Rating: 3/5
