The first Philippine BL (boys love) series returns, this time as a movie with actors Kokoy de Santos and Elijah Canlas reprising their roles as Gavreel and Cairo. Fondly called by fans as “CaiReel” are these two gamers who form a connection online amid the pandemic.
Produced by The IdeaFirst Company and directed by Ivan Andrew Payawal, “Gameboys The Movie” picks up right after the season one finale. The two lovebirds are cooped up in their own little bubble at Gav’s house while in lockdown, awaiting Cairo’s imminent departure for Bukidnon to join his family.
Once again, viewers bear witness to the two’s undeniable and palpable chemistry, which is now magnified with their current situation. From doing household chores to spending date night in the garden, Gavreel and Cairo waste no second enjoying the time they have left with each other.
The rest of the Gameboys squad also return and serendipitously find themselves in Gav’s home: Terrence (Kyle Velino) avoiding a rough family situation, Wesley (Miggy Jimenez) escaping Bukidnon, and later on, Pearl (Adrianna So) and Achilles (Kych Minemoto) holding a fundraiser for virtual learners.
A supposedly quiet honeymoon is disrupted by the surprise arrival of Tita Susan, a family friend of Gavreel’s. Played brilliantly by Angie Castrence, Tita Susan is the textbook homophobic relative, who manages to effectively strike every nerve with each offensive remark she makes.
Her presence forces Gavreel to hide his sexuality and relationship with Cairo, much to the latter’s annoyance and disappointment. While the series focused on Cairo and his family problems, the movie shifts the spotlight on Gavreel, with Susan’s presence triggering his traumatic experiences as a kid.
Tita Susan is a character all too familiar with many young queer Filipinos—a self-righteous figure spewing hateful comments under the guise of concern and using faith and religion as ammunition. The part where Gavreel recalls being taken to a priest to set him straight was particularly scathing.
Following Tita Susan’s tumultuous visit comes another predicament: Gavreel’s Tita Myra pleads to her nephew to come and stay with her in New York as she grapples with cancer, a plan Gavreel eventually acquiesces to without opposition from Cairo.
Finally free from the limitations of a computer screen, “Gameboys The Movie” allows its leading men to soar and flesh out their characters’ emotions and interactions without restraint. Whether it’s a simple caress of the cheek, a kiss on the forehead or something more intimate, the film goes to show that there is nothing quite like the power of human touch.
The movie culminates in probably the sweetest but also heartbreaking of ways, Gavreel and Cairo saying their tearful goodbyes before embarking on separate journeys. However, the people behind Gameboys have already confirmed a second season for the series, so it’s safe to say that we’ll be seeing the two again. Under what circumstances? We’ll just have to wait and see.
“Gameboys The Movie” is available to watch on KTX.ph and Ticket2Me.net.