This started out so well. Such potential. Familiar storyline, but Charlene is a talented comedian, has a presence and personality that makes her easy to love. Holiday theme with matching intertitles. A few laughs.
Then it got worse. And worse. And worse. Cliche after cliche. When it wasn't predictable, it was implausible. When it wasn't implausible either, it was pure nonsense and served little purpose but to try to be the cool kid but failing miserably. Until it ended in such a mess that even Charlene could not save it.
Was this trying to be funny? But also poignant? Arthouse but still catering to the masses? Surreal, but then again, grounded in reality? Dark humor, but only intermittently. Several dull parts that were not only not funny but also perplexing. Some things they got right in regards to portraying depression and suicide. Other times it was bordering on being disrespectful.
The two leads, deGuzman and the director, Font, had zero chemistry. Supposedly they are beginning to fall for each other? Could have fooled me! Not to mention the music. Completely discordant and disorientating, especially with the combination of montages and slow motion scenes.
I still believe in Charlene deGuzman. She needs some more clever and possibly richer collaborators, though! Which is why this rating is a little higher than it probably deserves. On can sense the potential in some early scenes. DeGuzman is charming, Font was difficult to connect to, Doctor Lorne oscillates between being hilarious and stupid for no reason. The supporting characters were missable and sometimes felt thrown into the mix capriciously. Yes, a few genuinely creative scenarios, some funny dialogue, even a few captivating parts that could have been developed into something much better. Alas, this was an example of something that tried to do too much all at the same time. Not a successful use of comedic talents.
