Kasal, kasali, kasalo

I am continually surprised by how much movies are praised because of the popularity of the actors involved in them. This is just one example of just that. Judy and Ryan don't seem to have much chemistry here, surprisingly, for a real-life couple. Also, the story does not make sense! Two bratty people who get married, start a family, etc. I was annoyed throughout the whole thing, and can't stand Ryan's acting! Totally unacceptable for a movie deemed a serious drama. Everything about this movie-the actors, their characters, the story, massively stinks! Please, Philippines, there are some great movies coming out of your country, don't give your awards away to mindless yuck with big names.

Jose Javier Reyes, one of the best directors in the Philippines, does it again with an excellent film starring real life lovers Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo. Santos, who won best actress for this film, captured the essence of the character with her excellent delivery of lines and natural acting. Agoncillo, a neophyte in film acting, came out rather lame but with the superb support coming from Santos, was able to give a commendable performance.

Aside from Santos, veteran actress Gina Pareno gave an outstanding performance. "Outstanding", actually in an understatement. She practically stole every single scene she's in! From start to finish (including the outtakes in the end credits), Ms. Pareno is a gem. Great, great, great performance!

Highly recommended to everyone, you musn't miss this one.

After tackling problems that haunt senior citizens within decades after their marriage in "I Wanna Be Happy," writer-director Jose Javier Reyes teams up this time with Star Cinema for "Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo," a Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry with a more glamorous look on issues revolving around marriage. This time, it's about a young couple who have to deal with all the hustle and bustle, all the ups and downs that accompany a newlywed life. What ensues is an amusing if a tad spotty film that mixes a little bit of "War of the Roses," "Meet the Parents/Fockers," "Monster-in-Law," and a generous amount of Filipino flavor and sarcasm on the contemporary local culture, Joey Reyes-style.

Real-life pair Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo play Angie and Jed, respectively, who tied the knot with each other in a whimsical manner. After being pressured to migrate to the US by his parents, Jed proposes to Angie, his girlfriend of four months, possibly to ensure a reason of staying here in the Philippines. But their relationship soon rears its ugly head as the young couple realize that not all marriages are made in heaven. Fights occur, in-laws meddle with personal affairs, and marital infidelity starts to loom around.

The film pretty much accomplishes what it has to do, succinctly showing the context of a married life and how quirky our culture can seem when we're outside looking in. It's funny when it's in its element although it gets a tad too long with Reyes eager to showcase all the possible angles that leaves the film with more cynicism than innocence. The film has a breezy feel throughout but there are times the biting bitterness of certain plot points gets the better of the supposed lightheartedness of the work as a whole.

Still, this is a film blessed with a terrific cast. While Agoncillo's acting is monotonous, he's more than ably aided by Santos who has a commanding screen presence and a biting sense of humor. But it's when "Kubrador" star Gina Parreno appears on screen that the movie mostly comes alive. As Santos' mother, she steals every scene she's in. I have no idea how much of her lines were exactly from the script or how much were ad libbed; nonetheless, she's a riot. Gloria Diaz plays as Agoncillo's mother and she delivers the qualities required of her haughty character. Indie film-staple actor Soliman Cruz is slightly underused here.

Despite the title that suggests something that goes into revolutionary status, there's no mistaking that at its core, "Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo" is a mass-marketed romantic comedy. Still, all things considered, the film is not only funny and engaging but also unexpectedly sincere and insightful.

I have no idea why this movie won Judy Ann Santos a Best Actress award, and how this was rated "A" by the cinema board.

This year's MMFF movie lineup was so ho-hum compared to previous years'. Sadly, as reflected in the criteria by the award-giving body, up to 40% of the points were tied to the movie's box-office ticket sales so I suppose that mass appeal and commercialization had the edge over more thought-provoking films this year. It's sad that every year, the fate of Filipino films seem direr, when our talent pool should be so deep (but is it, truly?).

But back to Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, this movie was so shamelessly a moneymaker capitalizing on real-life betrothed couple Juday and Ryan Agoncillo. There was no story, just a litany of, again, stereotypical situations of the stages in the usual Pinoy couple's life (one rich, one poor of course) from planning the marriage to welcoming their first born.

Nothing original or memorable was added to the bored moviegoers' consciousness (again, why give this an "A" rating? it shames the other previous, obviously more superior movies receiving the same).

Ryan was totally upstaged by Juday, the bigger star and the better actor, which only served to bemoan the movie once more. Then again, just because they lack on screen magic doesn't necessarily mean they don't click in real-life, so let's just cross our fingers on that. The kilig-factor in previous Juday-Piolo starrers was their undeniable chemistry on screen, with both able to balance out each other's star power (despite real-life allegations of Piolo being gay).

Also, the treatment of Ryan's character's infidelity in the story was so blasé that I can't believe women's groups aren't bothering to pick up on this, winning the Gender Sensitivity award at that!

My second favorite Filipino movie (Jologs first, Crying Ladies third) and the best of 2006. I've seen Kasal in theatres before the New Year and i never missed seeing it in Cinema One or special showings in ABS later on.

The movie is divided into three segments (according to the three words in the title) that show how Angie (BOOM! A surprisingly mature, funny and excellent Judy Ann Santos) and Jed (an equally superb Ryan Agoncillo) survived marriage life, family issues and interruptions, pregnancy and a sexy Barbie doll mistress (Palermo). That's just about it. So why is it such a hit?

Well maybe because in this very simple film, we can find colorful non-stereotypical characters in a very common situation. In the core of the film, we are introduced to the opposing families. Angie's bototay-making tough-as-nails politician mama Belita (BAAAAAANG! a scene stealing, lauded and exceptionally hilarious Gina Pareno) approves of Angie's choices, as well as her witty and equally tough pop (Soliman Cruz) and his other family (Cheena and -HAHAHAHAHA- Bronson) and the whole family. But Ged's sophisticated drama queen mom Charito (a fascinating turn from Gloria Diaz) doesn't approve because she dislikes the lifestyle of Angie's clan. So they just wed secretly and surprised their circle of friends (also a great ensemble of Vargas, Alano, Ramsay, Villaruz) and the two families. We also meet Mariel (Palermo), Jed's hot and quietly wild mistress who gets lectured by Angie in one of the funniest restaurant scenes in Philippine cinema.

Jose Javier Reyes gathered great picks for the ensemble cast, wrote a hilarious and humane script, gets all the juice in his cast and just sat back while accolades kept on rolling in his bag. He proves us again that he's one of the greatest Pinoy directors around (not to mention writer).

I'm giving praise to the wonderful ensemble in their beautiful depiction of family, friends and Filipinos. Incredibly terrific and very very VERY rare.

The editing and music are also terrific and flawless. The reworking of Yeng's Hawak Kamay becomes ear candy in this movie.

Most of you recognize and root for Bronson, but there's more caricature in this film.

Judy Ann Santos is already claimed as one of the greatest actresses today but I was totally impressed here. She plays a real tough woman who stresses her feelings, stands for her rights and knows what is right from wrong. But at the same time, she's funny, daring and intelligent. Santos plays Angie with wit and confidence that when she's out, I'm mostly stunned.

Soliman Cruz also gives a fine performance as the tough cookie dad. In his drinking scene with preggy Angie, you can see how he's been, what he's done and how much he doubts everything. And Cruz acts these sentiments that dads out there could cry for him, too.

Of course, I'll have to mention -DRUM ROLE PLEASE- Gina Pareno! 2007 was surely her year. She won the FAMAS and MMFF award for Best Supporting Actress for this film and later on, a Best Actress nod from Gawad Urian for her silent portrayal of a bet collector in Kubrador. She totally deserves the accolades, especially here. If Angie is a real woman, well her mother sure is, too! Belita is a toughy, exciting and hilarious mama who wants her children to be in good hands. She's handled mamas way back, but Pareno plays this woman no other Pinay has ever done before. Pareno would stick with this character later on, in the hit TV show Tayong Dalawa two years later.

I'd see Kasal again anytime and i would totally feel happy when i get to see it again. Kasal Kasali Kasalo is that type of movie where you can find a life, no matter how simple, that's so happy and fun.