Looking at this year's MMFF entries, I was interested the most in catching Siargao, Ang Larawan and Deadma Walking. It's a long story how we ended up with All For You so let's just count our blessings that I avoided another Vic Sotto movie.
First up, the most obvious concern: is this English Only, Please part 2? The answer is No, although almost everyone involved in the former were part of the latter.
So what is it about then? It's a heavy drama movie about two 30-somethings who meet via a dating app and we get to see how their relationship progresses, then digresses.
Who should watch it? Well, just about anyone who's been in a long-term relationship. You'll smile when you reminisce about the sweet nothings you and your partner said to each other when you started dating. You'll be stressed when you have to meet his circle of friends and ex. You'll be worried when your first fight eventually turns to your hundredth. Then you'll ask yourself if you are staying in the relationship because you still love him or because you already invested too much of your time to it.
Was it worth your time? Initially I had my reservations about it. It seemed like a prolonged episode of Grey's anatomy (I'm at season 11 where Meredith and Derek are constantly fighting). One can also argue it's a copy of A Second Chance. The title of the movie didn't do anything for me (I'm still waiting for Star Cinema's Call Me Maybe). But for what it's worth, even though I feel this formula is starting to get tiresome (girl trying to find self, sightseeing in an international setting, fall in love and break up and find redemption in the end), it's miles better than the Mistress movie phase we just got ourselves out of.
Performances? I haven't seen any of the other movies so I can't compare, but I feel it is a disservice to keep giving Best Actor to Derek Ramsey when he didn't bring anything new to the table. He delivered as needed, but if that's Best Actor for the MMFF, then that's what we'll get. Jennelyn was good at drama, the comedy we've seen already.
Final Verdict? If you can't find your copy of One More Chance after having seen it for the nth time, this can give you your temporary fix. The theme song is also worth 5 minutes of your time.
