An interesting outlook on three-way romances, Two and One, is only slightly blemished by a few forgivable flaws but made beautiful by compelling performances and an intriguing storyline.
VIVA FILMS | IDEAFIRST COMPANY
Actors: Miggy Jimenez, Paolo Pangilinan, Cedrick Juan
Genre: BL, Romance
Premise: A gay couple realizes they aren’t sexually compatible so they look for a third man. But when betrayal and jealousy sneak in, their relationship shatters into pieces (Vivamax)
Running Time: 115 minutes
Director: Ivan Andrew Payawal
Watch it on: Vivamax Plus
Why You Should See It:
There is an ample, if not excessive, number of intimate pleasures to witness in this Ivan Andrew Payawal boys love drama, whose lens are focused on not just one character but three. That said, Two and One, isn’t solely an exhibit meant to tickle carnal desires; it is a sumptuous feast for those yearning for sensuality and those hoping for a story to stir their souls. With this film, the longings can likely get quenched.
The film follows gay couple, Tino (Miggy Jimenez) and Chan (Paolo Pangilinan). We get introduced to them through a rather amusing meet-cute scene that unsurprisingly progressed into them becoming romantic pair. Both sexually active, the two find the hassle and boredom in them being both ‘tops.’ To fix it, Chan proposed to have their relationship open—to get another player in their sexual affairs, or someone to bottom for them–so to speak. They found the third player in Joaquin (Cedrick Joaquin), a local potter who willingly agreed to their proposed setup.
Payawal is not an alien in the boys’ love territory, as he is the one who helmed IdeaFirst Company’s smash BL hit in 2020, the Elijah Canlas and Kokoy de Santos-starrer, Gameboys. He was also at the helm of a few more similar productions under IdeaFirst, including the girls’ love (GL) series Pearl Next Door. Interestingly, Pangilinan, also appeared in another popular boys’ love series, Gaya Sa Pelikula. With those factors in mind, there is an expectation that this new BL feature will mimic both the success and feels of Payawal and Pangilinan’s previous works. Such a big task naturally scares people, and if Payawal did, it gave a positive result. Here, he crafted a visual beauty through compellingly shot love scenes and tasty camera angles.
The film also draws strength from its meaningful plot, and the powerful take of the lead actors on their characters.
Be that as it may, the film has shares of unflattering points as well. It felt as if a spacious room was left unutilized–a space that could have helped Cedrick Juan establish his presence in this three-way romance way better. The final scene depicted a much realistic look at how romances like this end–there is sorrow, but there is also hope.
5 – Excellent
4 – Very Good
3 – Good
2 – Tolerable
1 – Terrible
Two and One now streams on Vivamax Plus for only PhP499.00. Watch the official full trailer below:
