Like in the Movies (2020)

"Gaya sa Pelikula" is in general quite good. The story is basic and easy to follow, but the actors do a good job portraying the motional ups and downs of their characters. The narrative is preachy at times, and the uncomfortable and sometimes problematic affirmations at the end of the end credits were not necessary, but the depictions of Karl's angst about being gay and wanting to stay closeted were very well done. The drama did a good job showing through Vlad how people who aren't closeted can still be hurt by the closet.

The music was probably the best part of GSP. There was a good song for just about any situation in the drama, and it really pushed the narrative. The best scenes featuring music were the "Tahanan" and "Fools" sequences. The theme song "Unti Unti" is really good, too.

Now, is GSP as progressive as it depicts itself to be? In some ways, yes. The characters have some genuinely good discussions about microaggressions and family pressure, and it is generally quite uplifting. While the drama sometimes falls into pop culture progressivism, this is subverted with the character Judit, who is a deconstruction of what it means to be an ally. The problematic part of the show is this overall atmosphere of solidarity, or as the drama's poster says, "It's time to take back our story." Our story? This message, which is repeated in the end credits affirmations, is very damaging for closeted queer people to internalize. Solidarity, unity, and community are very good things, but are not always what one finds after coming out of the closet. The last end credit affirmation ends with, "We will welcome you when you are ready." That's a nice thought, but a lot of people who have come out of the closet can testify how cliquey a lot of LGBTQ+ groups, centers, clubs, bars, etc., can be. This is a far cry from dramas like "Quaranthings", "Game Boys", "B x J Forever", and even "Sakristan", all of which depicted both stability and dysfunction within the interactions of queer people, therefore being a bit more realistic in this regard.

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This was such a beautiful show and everyone should watch it

WARNING: This review WILL contain spoilers for the ending!!!

I'm not very good at reviews which is why I don't post them very often but I had to post my review on this because this series was just so amazing! It had such a beautiful message and had multiple moments talking about real topics/issues in the LGBT+ community. It was such a wonderful series to watch from beginning to end. It was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions, but it was such a beautful series and everyone should give it a chance!
Both the actors did such a fantastic job! This series just felt so real and natural and the actors had such amazing chemistry together! While yes the series didn't end 100% happy, it was very emotional and kinda bittersweet, I love that they kept it that way. As much as I wanted it to have that ''movie'' ending where he comes out and they're able to be together, I like that they kept the realistic ending and showed that Karl wasn't ready yet and that nobody would force him till he was. That plus the ending message really helps people who arent out yet. I just love that despite the sadness of the situation, it really drives home that if you're not out it is perfectly fine and there's no pressure or rush for you to finally come out to people. That it's all in your own time and that we will be ready and waiting to welcome you when you do.
I also love that the final scene made it seem like Vlad would stay in his life until Karl is ready.

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Everything I could want in a BL

Is this BL or is it transitioning into a truly LGBTQ+ piece of media? For me, it's right on the line. The story is cute and fluffy but the issues that are raised are very serious and relevant to modern times.
Karl is sweet and relatable and "questioning" but Vlad is my fictional boyfriend and I love him so much! In episode 4 he says "I refuse to be a plot device that triggers somebody else's identity crisis" and I just fell in love with him (who can blame me? :))
The soundtrack is perfection (and I never notice music!), the acting is spot on. the storyline is great.
I know there have been some behind the scenes issues that a truly disturbing and depressing but I choose to honor the work put into this project by so many people and not let one bad apple spoil the bunch. Full marks!

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Great on Many Levels

I placed a spoiler alert at the end of this review.

Warning, I’m a little bias with this review because it was the first BL series that I watched. This was a really outstanding story. I love the script because it touched based on so many elements. It gives you the right amount backstory information on the characters for an 8-episode series. See spoiler alert at the end of this review if you want more info. Even the closing credit scenes were great. I also like the little sayings at the end of the credits which were linked to what happened in that episode. The cast was remarkable on portraying their characters. The songs they used were great in setting up the mood.

Random Note: I feel lucky that this was my first BL series. For better or worse, this series set-up my expectations to be very high on what a BL series should be.


******Spoiler Alert******


The ending is open to interpretation. It will not satisfy someone that needs an ending that has to be happy or sad. To me, it’s an ending with hope which is something we all need in our life.

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it's a must watch

this serie is wayy wayy beautiful than u will think it will be it's perfectly perfect
while watching it u will experience all the kinds of emotion i even felt frightened by the fact that i may never find someone and ill never be able to feel what they felt it's trully truly mind blowing breathtaking it's just ..I can't even explain im literally in love and i won't get bored even if i kept rewatching this my whole life there's literally no way to describe this im just in love with every little detail about it.. bestie believe me u will never regret watching this show ??

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Jadaone But Make it Gay

The producers are lucky because the two main leads carried this show to success, they are definitely great actors. I just wish they had better material. The music selection is also great!

The story itself was so thin, without any layers or nuanced, but the writer just try to place as many aphorism and didactic quotables to make the whole thing "profound" beyond its woke middle class drivel. That's okay except that narrative-wise, nothing much is happening. And the script tried to hide that by telling and preaching the plot to the audience. They could have done it in the podcast and nothing much changes.

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Not your typical BL

So far, this BL series is my top BL series that I like. The storyline is almost close to reality. Very realistic indeed that you can relate to either of its characters. The dilemma of pairing with closeted gay with an openly gay has been shown and is the biggest obstacle in the story. I love the cuteness of Vlad, one that many gays can dream of to be a boyfriend or partner to keep. Like a cat that needs attention but also fragile once broken. Also, the musical scores in this series are so accurate. Mellow and dramatic that blends with the mood. There might be confusion on the ending but I think its an open-ended ending that will open to a new door and chapter to their life. Also the Ate Judit is one hell of a supporting character. A must watch BL that will take you to a roller coaster ride of emotions and drama.

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Decent (but could have been better)

Story: I actually like the storyline. I thought it was cute, deep, and realistic with how it ended. There were some good messages in this story and I liked that neither character forced themselves in either direction for the other person. Honestly, I was in full angst mode during those last few episodes. Yes, I cried a little and my heart definitely hurt for them. I genuinely liked the two main characters and Anna too.

Acting/Cast: I hate to say it but the acting in this series was average overall. I would say the actors who were on the better end of the spectrum were Paolo (Karl), Ian (Vlad), and Yesh (Anna). Especially Paolo, he honestly did a fantastic job. Sadly, some of the other acting in this series really brings down the rating for me because it would disengage me from the scene. On a positive note, Paolo and Ian's chemistry was AMAZING and felt so natural. They had some of the best kisses or affectionate interactions I've ever seen in a BL. They're definitely up there with some of the best!

Music: This is the area that the show really succeeded in. I really loved all the music used!

Rewatch Value: Personally, I wouldn't rewatch this. I found it hard to get through the first couple episodes, if I'm being honest (mostly because of the cringe moments and awkward acting) but I soon came to really enjoy it once I was three episodes in. Despite that, I still wouldn't rewatch it. I don't like open endings. I don't mind if I only have to watch it once, but it means I won't rewatch it. Not unless another season is released.

Overall: I recommend you give this a go if you like pinoy BLs, have run out of BLs, or it interests you! It's not that long so if you didn't end up liking it, it wouldn't be wasting a lot of your time.

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Simplesmente lindo

Gaya Sa Pelikula é o tipo de produção que dá gosto de se ver. Fui esperando um romance fofo, e realmente recebi um romance fofo, porém nem de longe se limitou a isso, o que fez valer cada segundo assistindo. A história cumpre o que promete e traz uma representação linda e respeitosa.

O roteiro é maravilhoso. É isso. Nem sempre histórias curtas conseguem trazer fortes mensagens da mesma forma que Gaya Sa Pelikula trouxe. Podem ficar vagas ou forçadas, mas na minha opinião, não foi o caso dessa história, visto que achei o desenvolvimento da trama muito bom. A história é de certa forma "simples". Não possui muitos elementos, personagens ou cenários. Porém, o roteiro trabalha bem e aproveita o máximo de cada um desses elementos. Por exemplo, é possível perceber isso se analisarmos a participação dos personagens na trama e até mesmo os cenários presentes. Cada situação foi primordial para contar histórias e ao mesmo tempo trazer reflexões, que ao meu ver foram muito bem abordadas, sem dar lacunas para má interpretações. Se fosse falar de uma forma resumida, diria que é uma história com abordagem saudável e de certa forma acolhedora.

Eu gostei de algumas atuações e outras nem tanto, mas o elenco no geral foi bom. A trilha sonora é incrível!! Muitas das músicas entraram para a minha playlist. Também gostei demais dos pequenos detalhes, como as cenas do final onde sempre mostrava o sofá do apartamento (cenas que também contavam histórias, de certa forma); ou as comoventes frases ao final de cada episódio. Eu até mesmo salvei muitas delas, como:

"Vamos abrir espaço para aqueles que perderam o caminho de casa" ;
"Quando a solidão ensinar algo, abrace isso" ;
"Você tem direito a um amor que o deixe dançar sem medo ou vergonha".

Quanto ao final do drama, eu gostei muito. Achei coerente com toda a trama e com a mensagem que a história queria passar para nós. Para mim, Gaya Sa Pelikula é um drama que com seus detalhes, diálogos e personagens, contou uma história bonita e emocionante, que abordou questões tão importantes com seriedade e responsabilidade. É uma história que merecia muito mais reconhecimento e vale muito a pena ser assistida.

"Um amor libertador e direitos iguais para cada um de nós. A verdadeira luta está do lado de fora. Iremos te receber quando estiver pronto. Até o reencontro."

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In the second series, there was a shift in characters from the original Ben to Jim, and the latter appealed to me even more as an actor. Maybe it was also the way the character of Ben was written (crying hurt moron who now doesn't know what he wants). The main song got under my skin and the rest was ok too. I got along with the characters and they at least saved the four points for the story of the second season, some parts were too long for my taste and I was refreshed by the symposia Roy and Bogs.
Note: while staying (2022) in the southern hemisphere, I turn on the TV and Jerome Ponce jumps out at me on the Novela E Plus channel (probably for southern African countries) in the English-dubbed series A Soldier's Heart (gay character, but 110 episodes) and we can look forward to the continuation of the gay love from this series in the newly prepared project PhilJie's Heart with Jerome Ponce and Yves Flores (Stuck On You).

Byl to zatím NEJREALISTIČTĚJŠÍ seriál pinoy produkce, co jsem viděl a troufnu si říci, že zatím pro mě i jeden z nejlepších BL projektů poslední doby. Ani se nedivím, že oba hlavní představitelé Ian Pangilinan a Paolo Pangilinan (Vlad a Karl) získali jakousi tu cenu BL - RAWR Awards Tandem roku 2020.
Oproti přecukrovaným BL pohádkám s nerealistickým dějem a scénáristickými zvraty hned od prvního dílu vstoupíte sice do jednoduchého příběhu, ale za přispění herců, scénáře, režiséra a dalších tvůrců, NAPROSTO SKVĚLÉ, KOUZELNÉ HUDBY, podtrhující celý příběh a pocit z něj, a projedete celým seriálem bez postranních zdržovacích sraček jako máslem a na konci si řeknete, že takto by se to mohlo stát i ve skutečnosti. Až jsem si říkal, kde jsou ty ohňostroje, proudy umělých slz a soplů a přešťastných komparzistů na konci. Dobře je zahraná i postava Vladovy sestry Judit (Adrienne Vergara).

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Can't wait!

From the start of the episode, I can definitely say that their chemistry is in the air. Their acting is very professional and so far, it has a great impact on the first episode. I can't wait for the next episodes, I am definitely attached to the characters already. For the Cons naman, It kinda lacked realness, like I know BL doesn't strive like that, but for me, it really does. It kinda has an overtone that kinda rubs me the wrong way, like the plot is all great but, it's going fast. With only 8 episodes only, it seems everything will get rushed, the chemistry is most likely rushed too. Well anyways, Good Luck watching towards everyone ^^!

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