REVIEW: ‘Only We Know’ portrays love in the most unexpectedly beautiful way

In a film that shows that love knows no age or time, Star Cinema’s latest romantic drama Only We Know starring Dingdong Dantes and Charo Santos is definitely not your average kind of love story nor the presumed May-December romance that its trailers seems to imply. 

READ: Dingdong Dantes says working with director Irene Villamor was 'like watching magic unfold'

in the film, Charo Santos plays the role of retired college professor Betty, who has chosen to enjoy life by living by herself in a private village. After being separated from her husband for almost a decade, Betty has been content filling her days with morning walks, gardening, and making art. Living right across from her is Ryan, played by Dingdong Dantes, an engineer who is still grieving over the sudden loss of his wife the year before. In Only We Know, the two  unexpectedly cross paths more and more until they discover a connection with each other that neither of them ever expected to find. 

The film at the very heart of it all, is still very much a love story. But it is also so much more than just that. It is also a story about existence, acceptance, grief, and living with the right perspective. Only We Know is so much more than just being about two humans who develop an attraction to each other because in this story, you will notice that every other character that is introduced also has a meaningful connection to the two leads, romantic or otherwise. 

Director Irene Villamor’s previous films like Sid & Aya, Meet Me in St. Gallen, and Five Breakups and a Romance are testament to her impressive talent in fleshing out the rawest of human emotions onscreen. She has always been unapologetic in putting the spotlight on otherwise what could be considered plain (read: mediocre) characters that don’t usually fit showbiz’s cookie cutter image of a main character. Betty and Ryan both lead imperfect lives because of the fate they have been dealt, but direk Irene shows her audience that there is still something important to be seen and learned from people like them, regardless if they are in love or in pain.

Don’t expect any big sweeping gestures or climactic confrontation scenes in Only We Know. This is not that kind of romance that will have a denouement. What audiences will appreciate from this film when you watch it is the certainty that no matter the situation, age, or past experience, love will always find a quiet and sincere way to make it back into your life, as long as you are open to giving and receiving it. 

READ: Charo Santos praises director Irene Villamor for ‘Only We Know’

Only We Know is now showing in 215 cinemas nationwide and will be playing in over 400 cinemas worldwide, with the following dates: Australia and New Zealand on June 12; United States, Canada, and Guam on June 13; Middle East, Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei on June 19; and Hong Kong and Macau on June 22. Special screenings and meet-and-greet will be held on: June 20 and 21 in Toronto, Canada; and June 22 in Los Angeles, California, U.S. Get your tickets at mytfc.com.