Genre: Drama, Romance
Director: Maryo J. Delos Reyes
Stars: Aga Muhlach, Angelica Panganiban, Maricel Soriano
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This was the first local movie of the year that I swore I would definitely watch. Although I already knew what the twist was weeks before its first screening, I was still as excited as hell. In fact, I promised Tonet to watch it with her but since she couldn’t find time, I forgot about the promise and saw the movie alone. And when I went out of the theatre after watching this latest Star Cinema offering, all I could say was “WOW.”
The film is not just impressive, it’s excellent. And there are many factors that contribute to its brilliance. First, the story is simple. As the title conspicuously tells us, it’s a film about love. But more specifically, it carefully discusses marriage. It’s the usual couple-mistress story but tackled in a way that will make you think and ask so many questions. What is right? What makes me happy? Will the right make me happy? Is choosing what makes me happy right? What do I choose? This film is a great proof that sometimes, it’s not the story that matters but how we tell the story.
A person entering a theatre to watch this film has a lot of expectations. I mean, if a movie’s cast includes Maricel Soriano and Aga Muhlach, one surely expects that this is one GREAT film with GREAT performances. This is a great film, right. And yep, with great performances. Maricel, as always, delivers a very powerful performance. She is able to make the audience feel how her character feels without any major confrontation scene where characters are shouting and crying and all that jazz. Maricel’s performance is subtle yet very moving. But of course, it was no surprise to me. It’s Maricel.
Some people think that Aga’s performance here is a little over the top. I wouldn’t say that. Some people also say that Angelica Panganiban‘s performance lacks something (they couldn’t put a finger on). I wouldn’t say that, either. I really liked their performances. The roles fit them perfectly. And I felt them. I felt for them. Although to be honest, it felt weird seeing Tito Aga kissing a former child star who was once (or more) became Maricel’s daughter (Ama, Ina, Anak), and now their fighting over Aga. Aargh. And then there are these love scenes, beautifully done. But I just couldn’t get the picture of Angelica as Becky in Sarah Ang Munting Prinsesa out of my head. Anyway, she had numerous opportunities to flaunt her boobs; Aga, his abs; and Maricel, her legs. Told ya, it’s a great movie. Haha.
Just as great as the lead actors is the supporting cast. But Dante Rivero stands out. He’s hilarious, but I still felt the depth. Perfect cast, actually.
The screenplay is well-written. The narrative structure is not linear but well-motivated and very effective. Sometimes I feel it’s a little too talky but I just let it pass. The cinematography is great. The editing is flawless. I didn’t really notice anything about the production design; I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing. I didn’t notice anything about the sound, either. But if there’s one thing I dislike about this movie, it’s the musical score. It’s too much. There are scenes that could’ve worked better without the background music. It’s overscored (my usual complaint about Pinoy films).
And of course, the direction. It’s really amazing. How Direk Mario J. Delos Reyes was able to make a gasgas story this interesting and beautiful is just WOW. The treatment is different in a way that, like I said, it makes us think, and sympathise with ALL the characters. It makes us understand how mistresses, cheating torn men, and desperate housewives feel. There is not a single villain in this movie. The bad guy is the situation. Kudos to Direk Maryo! Another excellent movie. (I haven’t read any movie review that says anything terrible about this film.)
I just wish I hadn’t known what the twist was before I saw this film. I would’ve cried. Hehehe.
3.5 
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I just watched the film last weekend. I really think it’s very good compared to your ‘average’ Pinoy movie although I found the story quite slow. I really liked the ‘sequencing’ of the frames.
One factor that made the movie great is how realistic it is. I mean, having a mistress in the Philippines is not something unknown or uncommon. Maybe could probably relate to it–legal wife, womanizing husbands, mistresses…
hi kris, thanks for dropping by. But i have to edit your comment, may spoiler kasi.
yun ba yung twist pyhican?
yeah. hmmm. hindi naman sya talaga twist kasi parang obvious sa marketing nila. but hey, i should edit the comment above, baka maka-spoil.
The twist was very obvious, everyone in my house including the yayas already knew what the twist was when the trailer came out.
It was a good film. Haha and nice review! My review sucks ass. Hahaha!
well yeah, obvious naman to the point na hindi na nga sya twist. pero it would have worked better kung wala tayong hint whatsoever kung sino talaga yung twist.
nice review? hmm. sarcastic?hehe. this is the crappiest movie review i’ve ever written (well, after my X-Men 3 review na wala akong ginawa kundi mag-whine kung bakit wala na naman si Gambit).
salamat sa pagbisita ulit.
Im not really a fan of Pinoy movies but this one surely is interesting. Haven’t watched it yet, pero just from the sypnosis that I have read on print, i think it will be worth my time.
yep, watch it sa DVD. it’s worth your time. entertaining.
It was just satisfactory for me, if you loved this movie, try to watch Adolf Alix’s Donsol.. The story is better.
i havent seen that movie yet but i know adolf personally.
it’s just that i use a sort-of structuralist approach when reviewing films. call it double standard but i see mainstream films as very challenging to filmmakers. imagine making a good film given rigid limits that studios set.
anyway, yeah, i agree. when i watched it again, it wasn’t as good as my first impression. it was just satisfactory but for me, that’s good enough. seldom do we find good pinoy mainstream movies today.
thanks for sharing your thoughts. i appreciate it.
You must see Donsol, the best artists, story, setting…
Maybe you were attracted on how the movie was first introduced, so do I. I just got disappointed because the thrailer is better than the movie as a whole.. I mean it’s satisfactory.
With regards to Star Cinema’s film, I like Kailangan Kita more..the cinematography made this movie really good (for me).
Yeah you’re right that there are few good pinoy movies (mainstream), that’s why I go for indie films more.. it’s worth spending time and money.
OH YEAH!!!
Kailangan Kita is one of my all-time fave films. ehehehe.
and yung trailer ng a love story, mejo giveaway na yung “twist.”
uy, wala ka ba blog? ehehe.
maybe in the future, tamad pa ko magsulat.. I just like reading. minsan lang ako tamaan ng sipag magsulat e..
wah. sayang naman. i’d love to see your views. especially on movies. konti lang movie blogs na nakikita ko e.