Ever imagined what you and your best friend might be like in 50 years’ time? Fatrick Tabada and Rae Red’s Si Chedeng at si Apple showcases this and more with its refreshing take on the self-discovery narrative as seen through the dynamic friendship between Chedeng (Gloria Diaz) and Apple (Elizabeth Oropesa).

Chedeng, the protagonist, is a 66-year-old, closeted lesbian who finds the strength to come out after the passing of her husband of 40 years. Alongside her is Apple, a 63-year-old woman whose bitter and short-lived relationships seem to be rooted in her similar feelings towards her transient acting career. However, blinded by rage and years of maltreatment, Apple commits a blood-curdling act—a decision that jolts both of their ordinary lives. This kickstarts their journey towards Cebu, the hometown of Chedeng, in order to fulfill a promise she made to her childhood sweetheart, Lydia.

The natural chemistry between Chedeng and Apple makes it seem as if Diaz and Oropesa had indeed been best friends for countless years in real life. This very chemistry was instrumental in the efficacy of punchlines shared between the two characters. The crudeness of the dialogue exchanged between Chedeng and Apple works because it feels endearing and nostalgic—reminiscent of conversations one has surely had with a close friend.

The way the film tackles lesbianism is another laudable aspect. It is treated with utmost seriousness—one usually lost in the portrayal of homosexuals in most mainstream films. One of the notable moments is a conversation among the three children of Chedeng. Occurring right after she came out, one of the brother’s ask whether the coming out is valid given her age. To this, the youngest son then snappily replies, “Bakit, may age limit ba ang pagiging tibo?” Lines like these are refreshing to hear in a market saturated with depthless, stereotypical depictions of LGBTs.  

The only problematic aspect of the film lies in its portrayal of the lesbian couples other than Chedeng and Lydia. There is only one other scene where lesbian couples apart from our two protagonists are shown. Within the club, one immediately notices that almost all of the couples consisted of a woman that looked masculine and a woman that looked feminine. This seemed to reinforce the stereotype that one has to be a butch/dyke while the other has to be a femme in lesbian couples. Even the characterization of Alex (Mae Paner), an ex-partner of Lydia, as a butch is a clear sign of this stereotyping for she serves as a comedic foil to the real Lydia.

From the casting, cinematography, dialogue, and humor-filled scenes, all these and more paved the way for Si Chedeng at si Apple to effectively deliver a well-balanced dramedy which is a sure crowd-pleaser.

Rating: 4.5/5

Featured photo retrieved from wheninmanila.com