My Amnesia Girl

4/5

Sensibly hilarious, “My Amnesia Girl” is what Romantic Comedies are all about.

At first I wasn’t very sure about this movie. For one, I am uncertain if the main stars do have chemistry on silver screen. It also doesn’t help that the trailer as well as the theme song weren’t appealing. Still, I headed to the cinema and watched on its first day of theatrical screening. Gladly, the movie didn’t disappoint. In fact, I wasn’t expecting a jam-packed movie house given that Star Cinema’s promotions wasn’t as heavy compared to their previous offerings. When I got out of the Gateway Cineplex 3, there was also a long queue waiting for the gates to open.

A playboy salesman, Apollo (John Llyod Cruz) is starting to realize the need for him to already settle down but her bride is still nowhere in sight. Of his past, one ex-girlfriend really made a mark in his life, Irene (Toni Gonzaga). By work of fate he accidentally saw her again in a grocery store but to his utter amazement, Irene doesn’t recognize him anymore. Claiming to have suffered amnesia from an accident, Irene can’t seem to remember anything about their relationship. How now can Apollo win her back?

There are many noteworthy things to say about this movie. First of is the wonderful script that’s full of funny, at times corny love jokes we usually read in text messages. Humour is the backbone of the script. It’s stuffed with hilarious lines that are reasonable and in a way will make you think of the idea it wants to convey. There are also serious love conversations about hurt, pain, and regret that were all carried out fine because of a very well written narrative. The humorous lines made the dark emotions of anger and hatred a little less heavy and dramatic yet still maintaining the accurateness of a heartaches emotion. I particularly love John Lloyd’s monologue at the start of the movie. Really makes sense.

Again, Direk Cathy Garcia-Molina was able to deliver a romantic comedy that gives justice to the genre it belongs. There’s a reason why it’s called a rom-com and this movie was flawlessly successful in mixing these two entities in order to create a feel of “kilig” and laughter at the same time. The story was properly executed because while making it a point to make the audience laugh, it didn’t lose its main purpose to tell a love story and depict romance. And because the movie was fun and very entertaining, you wouldn’t mind the predictive ending as the story progresses. The only thing a little off in the movie was the twist towards the ending of the story with Apollo’s character. Should it really happen? I believe there were a lot of other twists of events that could have worked if the creative team explored more.

Credit goes to the main stars John Lloyd Cruz and Toni Gonzaga not only for the unexpected chemistry they exuded on screen but also for their praise worthy acting. Cruz has proven himself in drama and now, who knew he could also do comedy so perfectly? He’s really the epitome of a brilliant actor. I’d also like to point out that looks wise, so far, he’s at his best in this movie. He melts hearts in every angle, every frame. Gonzaga on the other hand shined in the movie as this genre is her forte. Her innate talent in comedy is a classic and very endearing. Also, Gonzaga did not only show her comic side here, she also proved that she can do drama and cry as naturally like Kim Chiu and Bea Alonzo. After watching this movie I can now say that indeed, Toni Gonzaga is Philippine’s Queen of Romantic Comedies.

By now it’s evident that I highly recommend this movie and I say it as a huge fan of this genre. After watching tons of movies like this, I can say that this particular one is worth it by all means. It’s perfect for late night, after work movie dates when you just want to relax and enjoy, at the same time “kiligin”. Very entertaining! This movie will make you laugh and will move you to contemplate further on love, second chances, and most importantly the idea of a destined love...of a someone amidst all the forces of this world is specially meant for you.

Miss You Like Crazy

3/5

“Time is meaningless when you are in love.”

I’ve seen “One More Chance” a thousand times before and I’m a self-confessed fan of the John Lloyd-Bea love team so it’s impossible for me to miss this movie. Weeks before February 24 I’ve already freed my schedule and swore that I’ll drop everything on that day just so I can watch this reunion movie on its first day. I have to say that I have high expectations for this movie and I can’t help but compare it with “One More Chance” for that movie had so much of an impact not only to me personally but to many others as well. And so allow me now to indulge on my thoughts and say my piece about this movie.

Two strangers with extremely opposite characters were constantly being brought together by fate through stones, Mia Samonte (Bea Alonzo) have intentionally left behind whenever she feels like expressing her feelings. These stones bearing loaded statements of deep human emotions caught the attention of a serious, unhappy young man, Alan Alvarez (John Lloyd Cruz); whose inner emotions relates to the statements written in the stones. They seem perfect for each other but because of choice, they had to go on separate ways. So can genuine love bring them back together?

It’s perfect that this material was given to John Lloyd and Bea. I think that among the stars of our generation, they’re the only ones who can give justice to the roles of Alan and Mia. This movie is a sure blockbuster hit because like “One More Chance”, the story hits home, many can relate to it. Just like many of Star Cinema’s previous offerings, “Miss You Like Crazy” has a very reach story where real and genuine human emotions can be drawn to. I have to commend Director Cathy Garcia-Molina for yet another genius take on a love story that’s mature, nakakakilig without trying to be, and most importantly a love story that shows another side of love. Its side where love takes its own course and perfect timing, complete with all the whirlwind of joys and pains it brings. Once again, scriptwriter Vanessa Valdez was able to deliver a script that’s truthful with close to perfect authentic human emotions. Lines were never exaggerated nor pushed. The balance of drama, humor, and kilig in this movie is impeccable. Everything is just so natural that you’d forget you’re in fact watching a movie. The execution of a story that’s close to every moviegoer’s heart is praiseworthy.

Acting is superb! I will never tire in saying that John Lloyd Cruz is the best actor in his generation. Piolo is also good but trust me when it comes to acting, JOHN LLOYD CRUZ is the KING! He’s just brilliant. What I love about him is that you’d forget he’s just playing a role. When he takes on a role and act, you’ll totally forget John Lloyd Cruz, the actor playing the role for when he gives life to a role, he definitely owns it. Bea Alonzo has really matured acting wise ever since her “And I Love You So” blockbuster hit last year. She acts so well that sometimes just by her facial expression you can already feel the depth of the pain she’s going through. She really deserves an acting award real soon. And what can I say to the unwavering and very powerful chemistry that these two have?! MAGICAL! MAGNIFICENT! I’m just in awe of how natural, sincere, and unpretentious their chemistry is. It’s a chemistry perfectly formulated by heaven. It’s just the best of chemistry I’ve seen in Philippine Cinema in this generation.

Though I may seem to praise the movie with its entirety, I also want to point out three major problems this movie have. First is the use of the element of time. It’s the most important tool of this movie but unfortunately, it failed to give justice to this one. At some point the movie feels a little bit rushed and you won’t feel that 2 years have already passed? When the anticipation and excitement died down, you’ll notice yourself asking, “What? Really? 2 years have already passed?”, “Wow! Really? This scene is supposed to be 5 years after?!” There’s this kulang factor towards the end of the film mainly because the element of time wasn’t executed properly. Secondly, I just hate the film’s ending because to me it appears very much an obligatory ending because Filipino moviegoers always want a happy ending. Though I understand Star Cinema’s thinking business, I just personally would rather see a different ending, something more believable, fresh, and realistic. Finally, one of the differences this movie has compared to “One More Chance” is that “Miss You Like Crazy” is full of predictable scenarios. Yes, it’s a love story and usually love stories tend to be predictable because after all, its plot is just one universal field that is love but with this movie, I don’t think Direk Cathy Garcia-Molina was careful enough to minimize and control the predictability of her scenes. What’s admirable is that somehow the movie’s predictability was reversed to humor that the full capacity of the movie house were laughing every time a predictable scenario is about to transpire. One particularly foreseeable scene that really grated on my nerves was the scene at a Malaysian park where Alan and Mia first met at Malaysia. The moment Bea stood up, then John Lloyd also stood up, I knew right away that they’ll bump into each other after a few steps. I believe Direk Cathy could’ve done better than that.

Nothing is perfect and it includes this movie. Though it’s not as superb as “One More Chance” was, “Miss You Like Crazy” is still a movie you shouldn’t dare miss. It’s a perfect post-Valentine movie that tells us love is not all about kilig-kilig. There are so many quotable quotes in this movie as well as lessons about love to learn. Among these many lessons that really struck me is the movie’s main message of love’s own timing. Love can be very playful and indeed, it has its own perfect timing that neither anyone of us can ever halt but in the end, TRUE LOVE AND DESTINY WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL. We may hurt and question why sometimes destiny brings us to meet someone who won’t end up with us but in this real world we’re living, really, LOVE IS NOT THE ONLY REASON WHY YOU LEAVE OR STAY.


P.S. Forget about Papa Piolo or Sam Milby or even Derek Ramsay’s 6-pack abs, if it’s JOHN LLOYD CRUZ, fuck who needs an abs?! JOHN LLOYD FOREVER!