A lavish romance pic for all eternity

Lavish. That is the best word to describe the production values of Eternity.

A period movie in most parts, Eternity is another story of reincarnation that begins 99 years ago in old Manila – during the dying days of the Spanish regime here in the Philippines – and we are introduced early in the film to the characters of the ill-fated couple Dingdong Dantes and Iza Calzado.

Dantes is a half-breed Spaniard whose mother (Jaclyn Jose) is accused of heresy and is therefore considered an outcast in the society. Earlier, his father also accidentally kills Calzado’s father and a romantic relationship with the young woman just can’t be possible because of opposition from surviving parents and other societal factors.

Calzado is also being pursued by the arrogant Spanish military officer, Bobby Andrews – a match heavily favored by the young woman’s mother, Hilda Koronel, a modista who does fabulous gowns for the Spanish ladies of the upper crust.

Actually, I am a bit confused by Koronel’s social standing in the story because in spite of her being a costurera she is able to crash into high-society parties and is obviously a part of the elite circle. Maybe she is the Patis Tesoro of the late 19th century – or probably a Doña Victorina with sewing skills. But definitely interesting is the fact that she is reportedly sleeping with the curra paroco (Jaime Fabregas), whose advice she always seeks regarding family matters. Fabregas, in fact, is among those who try to block the romance of the young lovers – Calzado and Dantes.

Faced with such obstacles, they still fight for their love to the very end – with such tragic consequences.

We then shift to contemporary times (the film shuttles between two periods fluidly) and get to know the characters of yet another romantic couple Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado. Herras and Mercado are new acquaintances and yet they easily fall for each other. Their parents, however, are opposed to their relationship because Herras’ Dad had a hand in having Mercado’s father locked up in jail and the poor innocent man died in prison soon after.

Herras and Mercado have to fight all odds in order to break a curse that begins almost a hundred years ago – during the time of Dantes and Calzado.

Eternity is long at close to two hours. That it takes eternity to watch this film doesn’t surprise me because there are two love stories being crammed into the movie.

The modern love story of Herras and Mercado, in fact, already seemed rushed and therefore lacks the passion that you expect to fly all over in a supposedly romantic movie like this one. Even the story of Dantes and Calzado suffers because there’s not much background given to their characters. But at least, with Dantes and Calzado you still feel the embers of love somehow – maybe because of the romantic setting.

And speaking of setting, this is a semi-period film and like most movies today that require costumes and old backdrops, this one has its flaws. To begin with, all the costumes look new, which is a common fault in local period films. Then, there are the little knick-knacks here and there – like those lamps that look like export overruns from Citem. And please, take out those flowering plants that are not supposed to grow there.

Okay, call me a nitpicker, but I just have to point out to what obviously is a Lourdes grotto in the last scene with Dantes and Calzado (it’s hardly noticeable, but it’s still there). The apparition of the Blessed Mother did not take place in that small town in the French Pyrenees until Feb. 11, 1858. The Capuchins, who brought the Lourdes devotion, came to the Philippines just shortly before Dewey’s attack on Manila Bay and the grotto in that shot isn’t supposed to be there and yet it’s there and I’m bothered by it.

Also, there’s the matter of Iza Calzado walking the streets of old Manila by herself, which I don’t think was expected of proper women in those days. Maybe the people behind this film could have done a little more research in the matter of sets, costumes and decorum in the days of old.

In spite of these faults, I still recommend people to watch the film because of the fine performances of some of the actors cast in the movie. Iza Calzado, of course, is perfect for period films because of her beautiful classic face. Matched by her extraordinary acting talent, she is one good reason to watch Eternity.

That she gets to play daughter to Hilda Koronel is perfect casting because they seem to have been cast in the same mold. I’m even reminded of the 1973 Lea Productions project, Lupang Hinirang, where Hilda also plays a young woman during the Spanish times and falls in love with a half-breed (played by the late Walter Navarro). Just watching these two women together on screen is already a treat for lovers of local film.

Nothing, however, could top the acting duel between Urian Best Actress Jaclyn Jose and Urian Best Supporting Actress Hilda Koronel where they verbally attack each other in the presence of the curra paroco. It’s definitely one of the best acting matches I’ve seen lately in the Philippine cinema and you see that in all its glory here in Eternity.

The other cast members also do well, except that their performances suffer when they begin to recite lines in that romantic language called Spanish. Except for Fabregas, whose tongue is really Christian, the Spanish of everyone is embarrassing.

Oh, there’s also Jackie Castillejo, who also delivers her Spanish well (they speak it at home) and is great playing her part (she had always been a fine actress – very comfortable with the medium) as Mark Herras’ mother.

In a movie this long, you are really bound to find little gems here and there along with the flaws (one of which was the fact that the characters don’t care about the unrest a-brewing around that period). Generally, however, I enjoyed watching Eternity – maybe because I’m an old soul who likes to hark back to the past.

For those who like to see pretty little details and good visuals, Eternity is one film that you will relish in your head – no, not exactly for eternity (that’s too much of a time frame) – but for a long time.

Eternity is obviously an expensive film. In a period where everyone is doing cost-cutting measures, nothing could be more lavish than this.

It’s a visual feast.