Moving On as the Theme of the Indie Film 'Muli' (Again and Again)

Why do I look at Adolfo Alix's 'Muli' ('Again and Again,' or also known as 'The Affair') along the prevalent theme of this blogsite about 'moving on?' Or am I just being witless here as there are other sub-topics to focus on with this very lyrically film that remotely reminds me of 'Brokeback Mountain' but in this instance, this film has got a happy ending. It's probably and mainly because I watched mesmerized by the moving images of its main characters who attempt to move on with life's many passages.

From start to finish, viewers see the characters work out their own means in moving on with the stages they have to face so that the main story gets narrated on screen. It's mainly about 2 gay lovers working out against the odds so their relationship will survive, overcome the almost ridiculous vagaries faced by partners in love (although not necessarily being committed at all times as what's shown in the gay relationships in this film).

I enjoyed watching how its overall atmosphere provided by the political events and upheavals taking place in the Philippines cause the individuals lives become intertwined needlessly but beautifully onscreen. There were a number of highly erotic scenes I saw and have kept me thinking if the characters are actually based on real lives of some people I'm familiar with as I come from the same background, although the characters are at least 15 years older, probably, than me. I can also come up with statements on how the gay lifestyle has evolved in the very politically noisy, distracting local scenes in the Philippines that's probably but erroneously perceived not to have many individuals leading very liberal lifestyles. Actually, it's the very stupid, annoying presence of political influences in the daily lives of individuals that turn these very people to rebel, take up violence, become revolutionaries against the status quo that's made up of mostly elites and their followers who live very comfortable lives in a tropical country like the Philippines where feudal relationships still prevail.

And I'm tickled pink that the filmmaker has offered strong, solid points in narrating on screen the very independent-minded characters who can actually think for themselves, amidst limiting circumstances, and that they can actually lead happy lives despite perceived forces that tell them 'they could not do otherwise.' This, perhaps and as the film suggests, is the right attitude when you have to take action now to move on from whatever ails you so that you'll end up leading a happy life. The film, with certain lapses, offers the position that each one of us can be happy even with all the trash that gets heaped upon us, intentionally or not, by others who share and come into our individual lives.

Take the chance to watch this film. Its integrity as a film is above all due to its surprising mini-celebration of a loving couple' success and the learning to gain necessary abilities (from many terrible mistakes made along the way) in overcoming challenges when they stand opposite to their numerous but undesired transitions in life.