‘Sleep With Me’ REVIEW: Another Win for the Local Sapphics
‘Sleep With Me’ REVIEW: Another Win for the Local Sapphics
In an industry saturated with heteronormative content, writer and director Samantha Lee has consistently blessed us with her WLW (women-loving-women) stories. From her indie debut 'Baka Bukas' to her high school romance 'Billie & Emma' and her latest feature 'Rookie,' which premiered at this year’s Cinemalaya, Lee has played a pivotal role in ensuring that the LGBTQ+ and their stories are rightfully represented within the local media. But just last year, she also followed up her hits with yet another sapphic love story, but in the form of a miniseries.
iWantTFC’s 'Sleep With Me' follows the romantic journey of two women—Harry, a wheelchair-bound overnight radio DJ, and Luna, an introvert grappling with a sleep disorder that keeps her awake through the night. As they navigate their respective disabilities and some personal challenges stemming from past relationships, they unexpectedly find themselves falling in love. In short, this is another win for the local sapphics!
Lovi Poe as Luna and Janine Gutierrez as Harry, respectively
Lee takes a simple love story and handles it with care and sensitivity. You will easily fall in love with the show and its characters she has created. From the moment you step into their world, you will find yourself immersed in their romantically intimate journey, which oozes with natural charm. The show also efficiently reaches its point without any unnecessary filler content. In just six 20-minute episodes, it manages to capture the stages of their relationship, beginning with their meet-cute in the first episode, followed by asking each other out in the second episode, and then the actual date in the third episode and beyond.
A noteworthy aspect from this show is its approach to the central love story. Throughout the series, not once do they need to discuss or elaborate on their sexuality. Instead, the narrative focuses on their issues with work, relationship, their disabilities, and life in general. Their characters couldn’t be any more different, with Luna being introverted and Harry being the opposite. Despite this, love still blossoms between them.
An iconic exterior shot from the show
Lovi Poe and Janine Gutierrez’s on-screen chemistry radiates a captivating sensuality. There are enough heart-fluttering moments between them, as well as some emotionally charged moments, that both actors pull off with ease, allowing the audience to truly understand what and how they feel. The uses of space and subtle gestures between them are also a nice touch, adding more to the rhythm of their romance. While an ideal choice for Harry might have been to cast an actor with a disability that mirrors the character, I still acknowledge the limitations at play.
Lee's skill in crafting female characters and dialogue is evident in striking the right balance between simplicity and depth. The show depicts this unique relationship and the challenges it encompasses in such a refreshingly healthy way, emphasizing the importance of proper communication, whether to ask consent first before being physically intimate with one another, or to resolve any relationship issues. There is even a lack of male characters and heterosexual relationships in this show, creating a safe space for our queer characters and for the audiences as well.
Moreover, the show is predominantly set during the night, offering viewers a lot of captivating night shots of Manila. "Gawa tayo ng mundo na para sa 'ting dalawa lang," Harry proposes after Luna has just shared her childhood dream of a world shared with people like her, where going to school and to work only occurs at night. This poignant statement resonates deeply with Luna as she finally finds solace in Harry, someone who understands her and is open to embracing her world.
In an era where authentic LGBTQ+ representation stands as an essential milestone, Lee's masterful storytelling not only normalizes diverse relationships but also invites audiences into a world that profoundly resonates. Sleep with Me not only strikes the perfect chord but also boldly advances the portrayal of LGBTQ+ narratives in the local media with grace and authenticity. Seriously, watching this feels like receiving a cozy and warm cuddle during nighttime!
Sleep With Me is available to stream on iWantTFC.
