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| Sensual |
As it is, none of the actors involved emerge as persons. Here, Diaz-Abaya's camera does not only narrate a sexual encounter, it participates in that encounter, it does not only watch the lovemaking from a distance, it caresses bodies in the heat of passion. Clearly, the director intends to sexually arouse her viewers. But if the film is to be regarded as art, it should narrate sexual encounters with a certain objectivity that could be achieved through directorial techniques that will create and maintain a distance between viewer and viewed. Such a distance is necessary, so that we may temper titillation with thought and so that they may situate criticism within the film's perspective. This objectification which is similar to Bertolt Brecht's alienation effect, could be achieved perhaps by a camera that could enable us to zoom out of the scene, perhaps by giving details that remind us of a reality bigger than the one we are watching, perhaps through touches of humor that paint sexual excesses as excesses or perhaps through the development of supporting characters who can serve as alternative points of view for the narration such as Niña's mother Turing (Chanda Romero) and grandmother Senyang (Charito Solis) could have been more rounded out and most of all through the careful characterization of the three protagonists. All told, Sensual is more artistic than Perfumed Garden because it has a tighter plot, richer design, competent cinematography and more coherence as a whole. But its serious lack of characterization and the equally serious inability to make us critical of the subject matter prevents it from being an art film.
Directed By: Marilou Diaz-Abaya
Screenplay: Jose Javier Reyes
Director Of Photography: Conrado Baltazar
Music: Jaime Fabregas
Film Editor: Marc Tarnate
Production Design: Jay Sabrina Lozada
Produced By: Regal Films
Release Date: February 21, 1986
4:05 AM
Hi Jojo,
Excellent review! I read somewhere that Sensual is not a highly regarded work from Marilou. I actually like it, it's less pretentious than her other more "serious" films. This film for some reason reminds me of Peter Weir's Picnic at Hanging Rock. Maybe it's the hypnotic cinematography. I also wouldn't consider it art, but a well made attempt to make an erotic movie. My main problem with the movie is the lead actor, who does not have a strong screen presence and he doesn't have enough chemistry with the lead actress. Too bad, because the lead actress is perfect in the role in my opinion. She has that innocent yet exotic aura. I have to see it again though. It's been a while since I last visited it.
Regards,
RSE
4:56 AM
Thanks so much Ron!
Marilou wasn't proud of the work she did in Macho Gigolo and Boystown, but I never heard that she was unhappy with Sensual. It's a small picture with truly memorable performances. Charito Solis, Chanda Romero and then newcomer Lara Jacinto were excellent, while Barbara Benitez was perfect for the part although her acting leaves much to be desired.
As for Lito Gruet, he physically embodies the role, but since his character was supposed to be the young girl's mysterious male fantasy, not much acting was required of him.
Sensual could've been a great work of erotic art if only the three main characters were well-written and more fleshed-out. All in all, it's an outstanding little film...
4:57 PM
I think I read some negative comments about in in PinoyDVD a while back. If I remember it correctly, Noel Vera doesn't find it erotic. What sells this movie is the location, cinematography and production design. I would love to see this in the big screen, properly projected. You're correct, the supporting cast are more interesting than the leads. The lead actress although has limited range but is still very watchable.
RSE
6:08 PM
Noel believes that Laurice's movies are far sexier than Marilou's. He considers Init Sa Magdamag the most erotic Filipino film and I agree with him on that assessment.
Sensual's sex scenes are more tender, after all the movie is about a young girl's sexual awakening. The film's production values registers much better on the big screen, the video transfer doesn't really do it justice.
Barbara Benitez was introduced in Climax with Anna Marie Gutierrez and was launched to full stardom in Sensual. Unfortunately, the People Power Revolution and Censors' scissors affected the film's box office take.
6:51 AM
Hi Jojo!
I catch some scenes of Sensual from time to time in cable although I haven't seen it in full. Maybe because I know there will be massive cuts.
Latter part ko na lang nalaman na si Marilou Diaz-Abaya pala ang nagdirek. Thorughly enjoyed your review here. I'm surprised she wasn't proud of her Boystown!
I came to know Lito Gruet mainly because of his role in the original Shake, Rattle & Roll hehe.
7:39 AM
Hello Dennis,
With or without the sex scenes, Sensual is still worth watching if only for the performances of the supporting cast.
Marilou encountered many problems during the filming of Boystown. She had on the set quarrels with Gabby Concepcion which affected the shooting schedule.
Although Shake, Rattle & Roll was shown a year earlier, Lito Gruet was introduced in Regal's Naked Island where he played the part of Coca Nicolas' lover. He went on to play leading roles in most sex-oriented movies of the 80's...
10:49 AM
Hi Jojo,
Congrats on the new look of your blog!
Regards,
RSE
10:56 AM
Was Gabby being a bratty artist back then?
I saw Lito also in that movie Naked Island via cable which also called Butil-Ulan.
There was a many years later a same title although different in spelling Senswal starring I believe Piel Morena. I bet it has nothing to do with Marilou Diaz-Abaya-helmed flick?
2:15 PM
Thanks so much Ron!
How do you like it? I've been working on this new look the entire weekend. It was a little difficult since Blogger had so many updates since the last time I checked my blog's design settings...
2:20 PM
Hello Dennis!
Gabby was being difficult during the filming of Boystown. I believe he and his late father had some objections with the role. As a matter of fact, they even accused Marilou of favoring William over Gabby, although I think both actors was given equal screen time.
Lito Gruet was introduced in Naked Island and also appeared as Michael de Mesa's cousin in Hubo Sa Dilim. He also played Irma Alegre's leading man in Room 69.
I recall a movie from the 90's entitled Senswal but Marilou had nothing to do with the film...
9:45 AM
Thanks for the insights uli Jojo!
10:10 AM
No worries Dennis... I'm glad that I could shed some light into the issue. Halos every week may balita noon sa mga talk shows about Gabby's rift with Direk Marilou.
By the way thanks for noticing this blog's new look. when you click on each image sa sidebar, it will direct you to my review of the film. I wanted high resolution pics ng mga movie posters kaya lang mahirap talagang maghanap, the last resort would be to scan what I had kaya iilan lang 'yan...
10:51 AM
Wala pa yung posters kahapon. Mas lalong gumanda. :-) RSE
7:43 PM
Actually, kagabi ko lang naisipang ilagay. I wanted hi-res photos of the movie posters and I had to crop each one exactly the same size para magandang tingnan. Ang mahirap lang, the choice is very limited most especially with the older films. Karamihan are movie ads from newpapers...
1:50 AM
Buti nakagawa pa sila uli ng movie na Ika-11 Utos. Nahirapan daw talaga si Gabby considering the role of a wife-beater.
I clicked nga the images, parang easter egg hehe at may link sa mismong movie reviews!
5:58 AM
That was some years later Dennis. Aside form Ika-11 Utos, Gabby also starred opposite Lorna Tolentino in Kung Ako'y iiwan Mo. I guess as Gabby matured and developed as an actor, he finally understood Direk Marilou's commitment to her craft which resulted in more collaborations between them.
That was the idea, to link the posters to reviews of the movies. Too bad, I cannot find any other poster, only the ones I already have but I guess that will do for now...
7:50 AM
Thanks! I missed mentioning Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo. Honestly, I don't like much those two films especially Kung Iiwan. Medyo over the top sa 'kin ang dating ng trailer nu'n nung pinapakita sa tv. But I like many of Marilou Diaz-Abaya's films in the '80s. Most I got the chance to watch again via cable like Brutal and Moral. There was a time when 7 used to air tagalog films in weeknights and Karnal was one of them.
8:35 AM
I wasn't a fan of her later work either with the exception of May Nagmamahal Sa Iyo...
Direk Marilou's work in the 80's were exceptional from the flawed but technically well-crafted Tanikala to films like Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan. Alyas Baby Tsina was adequate but what I really loved about it was the Production Design complimented by her husband's exquisite camerawork.
12:55 AM
It's nice to watch a husband and wife film collaboration that brings great results. Sila lang yata ang ganu'n sa industry.
I was surprised that Marilou also helmed Minsan Pa Natin years later na lang. I thought it was directed by the likes of Eddie Garcia at that time. I wasn't aware pa that time when we used to watch these Viva movies in beta. I like the film's theme song, sang no less by Basil Valdez.
6:05 AM
It was quite unique. Bihira ang ganong klase ng team-up which are mostly filled by married actors who star together in a movie. Another would be the screenwriting team of Pete Lacaba and Marra Lanot who wrote Paano Ba Ang Magmahal? I believe it was the only film they wrote together.
Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan offered a unique variation on the kind of movies Viva churned in the 80's. It was a well-crafted melodrama with fine ensemble acting. I also liked the theme song which was more in tune with the story unlike the others na maipilit lang para masabing may theme song ang pelikula...
5:01 AM
Thanks for the added info Jojo.
Viva's glory days were indeed during the '80s. Viva sana have the movie released in dvd since the vcd format naman has an ok video quality. Retro na rin on Marilou Diaz-Abaya. Whatever Basil Valdez sang in movies, I'm sold!
1:18 PM
Isn't Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan available on VCD? Like you, I wonder why Viva has not released any of their earlier movies on DVD. Some are available but unfortunately, the ones, I'm looking for are not...
3:13 AM
I have the vcd copy of Minsan Pa Natin. The video quality in my opinion is commendable na for a dvd format just like Tinik Sa Dibdib!
6:08 AM
They should've also released both movies on DVD...
Cinema One aired Sensual last night and there were so many cuts making its running time much shorter. It's unfortunate that many of these films will never be seen in its entirety simply because the MTRCB won't allow them to be shown on cable without cuts...