Movie Notes: Etiquette for Mistresses (2015)

Mistresses and their interesting lives.

Etiquette for Mistresses tells the lives of five mistresses as they experience the joy and complications of loving a married man. Georgia (Kris Aquino), Chloe (Claudine Baretto), Stella (Iza Calzado) and Charley (Cheena Crab) are friends who share the common subject and lifestyle of being mistresses. 

Georgia after being asked by her partner to 'train' Ina (Kim Chiu) the proper etiquette on being a mistress. Ina is the new illicit affair of a presidentiable and is still trying to figure out her new lifestyle as number two.

The movie unfolds as a narrative of the rules told by Georgia to Ina to transform her to a perfect mistress. 

The movie was good in a way that its story is grounded with reality and lighter compared to previous Mistress themed movies which are often times heavy and surreal. Its realism anchors on the highs and lows of the characters which made them appear more human experiencing the joys and pain of being number two. 

We are presented with their humanity and frailties - that they are also capable of love and not mere evil incarnates out to wreck homes. This is far more than a story of infidelity but of love on the perspective of an illicit affair. 

It also presented a sad truth on how people can get away with stuff in the country - provided they have the money.

The ending felt like a whiplash. It went from being realistic, intense to a sudden drop and what felt like a compromised of a happy ending.

What I didn't like was the ending, some wobbly shots and politician's cameo appearance (honestly, like wtf?! Leave movies alone, please.)