For some reason, The Dust in Your Place felt more like a stageplay than a short film. We have two protagonists — a guy (Boo Gabunada) and a girl (Chaye Mogg) working on a comic strip and discussing their relationship, or non- relationship in extensive dialogue without actually getting to the main point.

The Dust in Your Place will be a hit for fans of hugot films and shows that deconstruct the nature of relationships as it discusses the real relationship of the writer and his long-time partner in crime, his artist. The trick to understanding this film, however, is to read between the lines and listen to everything that the characters are not saying.

As it is obvious to viewers, the two protagonists share feelings deeper than friendship but none of them wants to lower their pride to be the first to admit their actual feelings, making the conversation run in circles. Kudos to the main cast for never missing a beat in their brilliant rapid fire exchanges.

After a while, it gets kind of tedious. They are saying the right things and are both making valid points. But at the end of the day, it was frustrating to see these two being completely hypocrite with each other without actually risking anything important.

Of course the comic strip, which was the basis of their relationship, was not the main point but merely serves as a symbol of their connection. After all, it was merely a means for the guy to hold on to the girl without making an actual commitment. And in a sense, even with the knowledge that the guy is always getting into a relationship with someone else, it was an excuse for the girl to stick close to him and wait for him to reciprocate her feelings.

The Dust in Your Space raises several relationship issues — friendship, romance and the fine line in between. I appreciated the repartee but by its end I was just as tired about the argument as the characters were. The cinematography was on point. The dialogue was intelligent but by its end, it left me more frustrated than satisfied. Finally, it was over. It felt like I was the one stepping out of a bad breakup. Good one, director David Olson and screenwriter Joem Antonio.