REVIEW
Fun, guilt-free
By Jayson B. Brizuela
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:09:00 02/19/2008
Close this MANILA, Philippines—Whenever a local romantic comedy opens with great fanfare (cue shrieking hordes spilling out of cinemas), a big demographic reacts with great caution, sometimes contempt.
Mostly young people weaned on Hollywood, this untapped market avoids local movies in the exact same way that one would avoid being caught with, say, a best friend’s girlfriend.
GMA Films’ “My Bestfriend’s Girlfriend,” directed by Mark A. Reyes, seems about to break that persistent barrier.
Attention to detail
With the polish of a movie fit for Asia-wide release (think Taiwanese or Korean chick flicks) but with an unabashedly local flavor, this guilty pleasure is something that image-conscious young viewers could watch without embarrassment.
A lot of it has to do with the class-crossing theme and, therefore, appeal.
Richard Gutierrez is Evo, a rich, directionless brat who blackmails Grace (Marian Rivera)—his absent best friend’s waitress cum working student and one-time stripteaser girlfriend—into posing as his own, to jilt an ex-fling.
Anyone who has seen a Hollywood-inspired (or copied) local flick will appreciate the attention to detail, which translates to a real-life feel. Evo is presented as a wealthy snob via (more than his Ducati bike, Volvo coupe and expensive clothes) “little” details; for instance, how he acts, talks and walks.
While we’re not sure how much or how little effort Gutierrez put into the role, his portrayal is convincing.
Marian, reportedly of modest middle-class roots, is also perfect as a street-smart, tough-talking girl. She reminds us of the younger Gina Pareño.
But what ties it all together is the script. Granted, “Siyanga pala” should be deleted from a rich boy’s dialogue. Still, overall, conversations, including wisecracks and mild expletives, sound very natural and flow smoothly—by no means a small feat in the context of a Pinoy romantic comedy.
The writing is consistent down to the support cast, and Grace’s stripper friends steal scenes with comedic timing.
Another redeeming value is the film’s ability to change gears in crucial moments. Just when you think it has given in to clichés, funny jokes and witty remarks send the whole theater erupting in laughter.
A few bumps
There are bumps here and there—like scenes where the movie backslides to having the protagonists deliver cheesy lines. The musical scoring is also formulaic. We give a thumbs-up to the non-mainstream songs used, but remakes of sappy tunes merely add clutter.
Admittedly, it’s hard to spot sores when the theater is completely engaged. At Edsa Shangri-La Mall, there was much shrieking, hair-pulling, repressed sighs, and a slew of “aaws” and “oh-my-gods”—from English-speaking, well-dressed kids and yuppies.
Mostly young people weaned on Hollywood, this untapped market avoids local movies in the exact same way that one would avoid being caught with, say, a best friend’s girlfriend.
GMA Films’ “My Bestfriend’s Girlfriend,” directed by Mark A. Reyes, seems about to break that persistent barrier.
Attention to detail
With the polish of a movie fit for Asia-wide release (think Taiwanese or Korean chick flicks) but with an unabashedly local flavor, this guilty pleasure is something that image-conscious young viewers could watch without embarrassment.
A lot of it has to do with the class-crossing theme and, therefore, appeal.
Richard Gutierrez is Evo, a rich, directionless brat who blackmails Grace (Marian Rivera)—his absent best friend’s waitress cum working student and one-time stripteaser girlfriend—into posing as his own, to jilt an ex-fling.
Anyone who has seen a Hollywood-inspired (or copied) local flick will appreciate the attention to detail, which translates to a real-life feel. Evo is presented as a wealthy snob via (more than his Ducati bike, Volvo coupe and expensive clothes) “little” details; for instance, how he acts, talks and walks.
While we’re not sure how much or how little effort Gutierrez put into the role, his portrayal is convincing.
Marian, reportedly of modest middle-class roots, is also perfect as a street-smart, tough-talking girl. She reminds us of the younger Gina Pareño.
But what ties it all together is the script. Granted, “Siyanga pala” should be deleted from a rich boy’s dialogue. Still, overall, conversations, including wisecracks and mild expletives, sound very natural and flow smoothly—by no means a small feat in the context of a Pinoy romantic comedy.
The writing is consistent down to the support cast, and Grace’s stripper friends steal scenes with comedic timing.
Another redeeming value is the film’s ability to change gears in crucial moments. Just when you think it has given in to clichés, funny jokes and witty remarks send the whole theater erupting in laughter.
A few bumps
There are bumps here and there—like scenes where the movie backslides to having the protagonists deliver cheesy lines. The musical scoring is also formulaic. We give a thumbs-up to the non-mainstream songs used, but remakes of sappy tunes merely add clutter.
Admittedly, it’s hard to spot sores when the theater is completely engaged. At Edsa Shangri-La Mall, there was much shrieking, hair-pulling, repressed sighs, and a slew of “aaws” and “oh-my-gods”—from English-speaking, well-dressed kids and yuppies.
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