Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me -- Movie Review

by: Uel Ceballos

The title itself quite explained already what to expect from this film, but "Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me" was more than just a sexy movie that starred two college students who got into a complicated set-up of relationship. The film was based from the bestselling novel of Eros Atalia with the same title "Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me". Many have loved the book because of the effortless wits that were incorporated with Eros’ unique language in romance style of writing. Moreover, the story was richly nourished with issues that concerned the various areas of societies – all looked upon through the perspective of Karl Vladimir Lennon J. Villalobos, a young blossoming lad who possessed an exceptional character and intellect that often ignited the sparks of argument between him and his college professors. 

Also known as Intoy, Karl had this unrestrained curiosity about things that happened and existed around him. He never really disapproved but the frank questions he asked (for his desire to fully understand) often challenged the concreteness of the majority’s beliefs particularly in the areas of religion, norms, feminism, sanity, and human perception of right and wrong.

The story as a book was a real page-turner; as a movie, well I’d dare say it was intellectually comical, sexily rousing and competitively satirical. Intoy and Jen’s ups and downs were not really set apart from what was happening in today’s generation. The youth’s playful exploration as they intersected with one another’s life, the equivalent consequences of their actions, their responses on such consequences – all of it demonstrated the youths' adventure in a bigger picture; that they are often driven to certain actions (out of several stimuli), and the environment (inclusive of all the elements therein) reacted to their actions with the equal level of intensity and their first initiative then is to react back to it -- more of being subjective and less of being objective and then so on. The action-reaction process would soon tired them out ‘til they ended drop-dead confused and wondering on what they have done wrong to earn such a painstaking process of growing up.  

It was shown through Intoy and Jen, wherein they were trapped in this overpowering emotion which they were both trying to win over, but then in the end the swell of emotion would get unstoppable like a storm surge that is likely to wash away what has been started. For certain, "Ligo Na U Lapit Na Me" will make you laugh, stirred and sympathize with the main characters of the story, also, it would leave a hole opening on your consciousness wherein some wisps of wondering would surely seep through your senses like the sun’s finger lights entering through the roof’s cracks.

The movie casting was absolutely perfect. Mercedes Cabral was well-fitted for Jen’s playful and seducing character,and Edgar Allan Guzman while too good-looking for the description of Intoy’s physique had perfectly justified the nature of Intoy’s soul character. The treatment with its series of voice over that spoke for what Intoy had in mind in the particular moment, the witty musical scoring that spiced up the temperament of each scene, the certain instances that Intoy was breaking the fourth wall and directly facing the camera to talk to the audiences, the fast-pace sequences all complemented with one another to deliver a fully entertaining and mind-boggling film.

For this movie that never lacks the wit, the wisdom and the sumptuous offerings of life … I’ll give it 8 Espresso Shots! Cheers!

Ligo na U, Lapit na Me – Emo ka ba? Pwes basahin mo ito! By Lyn Bungar

Photo courtesy of goodreads.com

Ang akdang ito ni Eros Atalia ang kasa-kasama ko sa mga panahong nagmumuni-muni ako sa mga bagay-bagay sa aking buhay. Isa ito sa dalawang aklat na ibinigay sa akin na hindi ko pa napagtatangkaang buklatin at basahin. Napagpasiyahan kong itigil muna ang pagbabasa ng e-books at bigyang pansin ang mga aklat na nasasalat.

Umikot ang istorya sa lihim na pag-ibig ni Intoy kay Jen na nagsimula lamang sa paglalaro ng dalawa sa apoy. At patuloy pang nagpaikot-ikot sa mga nakakatuwang biro, dayalogo at mga hinuha ni Intoy sa iba’t ibang bagay na may kinalaman sa buhay at walang buhay.

Gumamit ang awtor ng matatalim na salita, bulgar at walang-hiya. Ngunit hindi nakakasugat, nakakagulat ngunit sa huli’y mas nanamnamin at kapapanabikan ang mga salitang bibitawan ng pangunahing tauhan. Mapagbiro ngunit may laman. Nangungusap at hindi basta-basta nagkukuwento lamang. Mapapangiti, maguguluhan at masasabik ka sa mga pakikipagsapalaran ni Intoy sa eskuwelahan, magulang, kapitbahay, kay Jen at sa sarili.

Ang Ligo na U, Lapit na Me ay hindi tulad ng nakasanayan ko nang Pilipinong panitikan noong ako’y nasa hayskul. Dinaan ng awtor sa biro ang mga issue o usapin na ako mismo’y hindi malaman kung seseryosohin ko nga ito o hindi. Ang mga biro ay hindi nagkukubli sa mga salitang nakagawian na o mas tanggap ng nakararami. Imumulat ka nito sa totoong mundo o pangyayari sa pamamagitan ng di mapagpanggap na mga salita.

Kung ikaw ay pinagdaraanan sa buhay na kahit ano pa man, ito ang babasahing para sa iyo (maliban sa banal na salita at encouraging posts sa FB wall mo). Matatawa ka at makakalimutan mo panandalian ang mga sanhi ng iyong kalungkutan sa pamamagitan ng mga problemang ihahain ni Intoy, not to mention ang kanyang mga karanasan sa pagiging ganap na lalaki. Ipapaalala nito na ang buhay ay buhay dahil may pagdurusa, kalungkutan at kasawian. Na may mga tanong at pagtatapos na hindi na dapat hinahanapan ng kasagutan o pagwawakas dahil ang buhay ay patuloy na paglalakbay. Sa kabila nito, sabik akong mabasa ang pangalawang aklat!

Pinapatawan ko ang panulat na ito ni Eros Atalia ng walong tasang latte. At paniguradong mas-aabangan ko pa ang mga akda niya.