DYOGI scores a critical and commercial hit in his latest romantic-comedy caper. Using the MRT train as backdrop to the romantic tale written by Jose Javier Reyes, he weaves together the lives of his protagonists, loquacious, hopeless romantic Betsy, a call center trainee, and straight-as-an-arrow accountant, Michael, as they discover the convoluted complexities of young love.
Putting his technical savvy to good use, he demonstrates his enviable instinct to make tricky kilig moments work by not taking himself-or his subject-as seriously as he did in "All My Life." This time, his tongue is firmly in his cheek!
His amusing references to pop culture and movie favorites ("Pretty Woman," "Titanic") may not be original, but they are useful to introduce details and render endearing touches to scenes that establish how the couple's relationship develops and progresses.
The movie is is not without flaws: It slows down when the lovers start to quarrel. Even the use of the omnipresent narrator is something that we've seen in David Kane's British romantic comedy, "Born Romantic" (2000). But, that's nitpicking.
The audience easily relates to the film's protagonists because they are depicted as flawed, fallible individuals who make mistakes. When Michael is caught in a situation where he has to defend Betsy from baddies, he doesn't wipe them out with one swig and a swagger, as most movie heroes do-he faints!
Cruz is a believable romantic lead, but it's Alonzo who delivers a charming, winning performance befitting a future movie queen.
Good performances from the entire cast, particularly Nikki Valdez, Rio Locsin, and Dyogi's "SCQ" wards, Nerizza Naig and Roxanne Guinoo, and -- thank goodness! -- there are no overacting extras around this time!
The movie serves as a sweet reminder that, in life and love, there are no real guarantees. But, when a person hides behind a duffel bag with you when you watch horror movies, you may have finally found the right one!
Editor's note: Published on page C1 of the August 21, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
Submitted by: Peach
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