A trans woman becomes entranced by the voice of an underground audio porn star. Torn between fantasy and reality, she drifts through the neon haze of Quezon City on a journey of desire, pain, and self-discovery.
(C) ABSCBN
No matter where a film takes us, as long as it knows what it wants to say at its heart, it can truly blossom. Dreamboi genuinely understands the importance of the story it tells. It may seem like a small story, but it leaves a huge impression. This is largely thanks to writer and director Rodina Singh’s solid groundwork. Her confidence radiates throughout the project.
A bathroom issue has big implications, and Singh wastes no time highlighting it. It feels personal. It feels real. There’s no pumping of brakes here as she delves deeper into the specifics of Diwa’s life as a trans person in the Philippines.
At the same time, the weight of its importance can occasionally be felt as the film juggles many elements in a relatively short runtime (around 80 minutes). It’s a bit unfortunate, as it could have delivered even more on what it had been building toward. There’s a key sequence that just needed a little more time to simmer. Perhaps my nitpicks could be resolved by the original 120-minute runtime Singh had in mind.
Worry not, however, as the cast and production make up for the constraints. EJ Jallorina is impressive, carrying a film that demands a lot from its lead. The great Iyah Mina also shines in her limited role. Don’t be fooled into thinking Tony Labrusca is only here for the hook, as he makes his character impactful too. The film also boasts a strong visual flair and a soundtrack full of bangers. Things can get blurry, maybe intentionally at times, but there’s never a dull moment here.
It was almost not allowed to be seen, but they fought for it. Dreamboi deserved that fight. 3.5/5
