My Other Woman (1990)
Free-spirited and fiercely independent single girl Alice Dixson has a chance en¬counter with Christopher de Leon, a happily-married man. They plunge into an in¬tense albeit discreet love affair, aware of the problems involved. On two occasions, they even plan to run away to the United States, but some¬how never succeed. In the end, they go their separate ways, with the guy giving his wife and kid a tight hug.
Simply put, it is the story of two people whose love for each other is all-consuming.
The story material may be seemingly common and simple, not too different from the studio's run-of-the-mill teleplays. On the surface, it looks flat and plain. But the beauty of the movie is the way it is directed, the way the story is told, with rich, tiny details about relationships, both licit and illicit.
De los Reyes orchestrates the well-structured story material and makes use of the film's dif¬ferent technical elements effectively and creatively. The movie succeeds partly because it is a simple love story intelligently told, without veering into the usual gooey pitfalls of a roman¬tic melodrama, without resorting to character stereotypes. Lani Mercado, the spouse, for one, is hardly the cantankerous spitfire most wives are portrayed on screen. That Lani is a pretty and loving woman makes the husband's dilemma more perplexing, suggesting that in marital troubles, there are no easy answers and solutions Everyone in the cast gives an impressive show. Christopher de Leon's is one of his finest. Among the supporting players, Ali Sotto as Dixson's best friend, stands out. Even Gloria Romero in a short role shines as Dixson's mother. Dixson herself may not be adjudged as the year's best actress, but no question about her fine performance. It's her best to date. — Butch Francisco, Philippine Star