American Adobo

This movie centers on a group of Philippine-Americans who meet for dinner (adobo-style cooking). Each in the group is having relationship problems and the film follows them as they each come to a turning point in their love lives.

I have reviewed something like a bazillion movies on IMDb and I noticed a long time ago that I tend to rate films a little harsher than average. Because of this, I tend to get much more than my fair share of "not helpful" votes. Despite this, I continue being a somewhat harsh critic since I don't review films to make friends. However, this film is a rare case where all the reviews are far harsher and the overall rating far lower than I'd give the film. It makes me start to wonder if I was wrong in liking this film....well, no it doesn't.

Now I could understand someone not liking this movie for a few reasons. First, this movie starts off very slowly and it's hard to like it during the first half hour or so. Heck, I considered turning it off--mostly because so many of the characters are unlikable and this is a SERIOUS problem for this style of film. Second, there is an awful lot of nudity, very strong language and adult content--again, some of this (particularly the language) seemed inappropriate for this type of movie.

When I say "this type of movie", I mean an ethnic slice of life film--much like EAT, DRINK, MAN, WOMAN or DOUBLE HAPPINESS or BOLLYWOOD/Hollywood. The sort of movies that may make excellent date films or family films. However, I really couldn't see showing this to my kids even though they are teens--it's just got too many boobs and the dreaded F-word by the scores.

Now if you can look past the harshness of the film, it does get a lot better and fortunately some of the less likable characters do improve as the film continues. However, I do agree with one of the reviews that felt a couple of the better subplots alone might have made a better film. The story of the spinster and the gay man were very compelling and touching. The rest, unfortunately, are harder to enjoy since the characters are pretty selfish.

However, I am a sucker for films like this because they emphasize story and people. Now I can't accurately know what the Filipino experience is like--so how close they actually got to realistic characters is a bit of a mystery to me. But I liked the writing and story and for the life of me I cannot understand why it's rated THAT low. Oh well, to each his or her own.

... because all I offer is honesty here, folks.

I saw this with my wife and friends (and before you ask, she and they are Filipino). Afterwards, as we went home we were... laughing. Not at any of the funny parts. At the over-acting, at the storyline (the lead actress ends up with an Anglo fireman after years of self-imposed virginal solitude), at the gay subplot that could have actually made a better fim on its own. I really didn't care about the other characters at all, and oddly enough the only other white character was a Pinoy stereotype of American women (it's hard to take a film like this seriously when they can't even overcome the things they claim to find offensive in U.S. films).

Having seen my share of Regal and Viva films, I'd say that while the production values were better than usual the director can't overcome the bad acting or maybe his own style of directing.

Personally, I'd have preferred watching Ricky Davao shoot guys in the shoulder...

Somebody should remake "Kabayo Kids" or something like that, gearing it to both Anglo and Pinoy audiences if they want to break in here.

Oh, the film does have one good moment that I recall; one of the guests is admonished for speaking Tagalog in front of thier non-Pinoy guests. That hit home. I happens more often then they want to admit, and they never want to admit it's rude, especially since they know English.

I'd give it a 4 out of 10. Maybe worth a rental, if only to compare notes with future Fil-Am films.

Before I'd go on with anything I have to say, I would like to comment on the title of the movie. There could've been a better one used instead of being it called "American Adobo." That's the worst thing to have refer it as while the "American Pie" series were so immensely huge and popular during the course of the time. A catchy title (minus the "American" to start off on the title) could've been such an improvement. So when one hears of "American Adobo", he or she would say, "That's a copycat of American Pie." The title should've been called: "Life Like A Good Tasting Lumpia" or "Appetizer, Main Course,& Dessert." Regarding the storyline itself, it seems to stick itself well on the individuals living their own ways of the filipino-american life in America. There are the joys and the pains. Here's an insight to the characters and what they are facing:(1)Tere (Cherry Ann Picache)is a 40 something year old accountant yearning for love, feeling insecure at times when she is trying hard to find that. (2) Mike (Christopher DeLeon):is another 40 year old, but is a news editor who seems to have problems coping with his wife and his daughter (as his son out of the three, respects him). (3) Gerry (Ricky Davao)is a homosexual who is facing a struggle to tell his mom the truth about himself and the love of his life - a man named Chris. (4) Marissa (Dina Bonnevie)is the loquacious socialite who would talk about anyone and anything, but is very insecure when it comes to her boyfriend falling in love with other women. (5) And lastly, is Raul (Paolo Montalban) -- the total filipino-american "pimp daddy and player" who somehow finds a way to score big with beautiful, gorgeous women but has no true feelings for them. Interesting aren't they? Each one will face the sudden changes, struggles, and pains affecting their lives during the course of one year in New York. The characters are all unique and provides depth on each situation at hand. Though they face the uncertainties, there's always the joy that follows them, especially when they go eat together and reflect deeply allowing themselves to be courageous and speak out on their dilemmas. I can't speak furthermore on the movie itself so rent/purchase the video today! It's really worth it. Add the food with the movie and it's a fair blend altogether. There's so much to learn from this movie in all different perspectives and point of views. Some can call this 'O.A.' (filipinos would say 'OVER ACTING'), not real, or weak. It's just a movie, folks. If you wanna watch it, then go for it. If you hate it, then don't watch it. But it'll be one of many that will soon be as iconic (along with another fil-am movie "The Debut") in the near future for it's filipino-american themes. American Adobo provides a fair mix of comedy and drama all in itself thanks in largely to the characters and the filipino food served right in front of them. It makes you want to have dinner with them, too. I'm sure you all will agree.

Made me embarrassed to be Filipino. Oversentimental, disconnected, melodramatic drivel that plays on what some people think of as Filipino stereotypes, perpetuates them, and then attempts to put them together in one group setting. The acting is bad, the writing is bad -so do yourself a favor and save your rental fees.

if this was written by Richard Curtis ( four weddings and a funeral. Notting Hill ), it might made a better film. Although most of the conversations were made round the table, they might have been eating fish and chips. If your a Filipino watching the film, you have an idea what food would be served, but what about us non Filipino?.

The film does not show the Filipino in a good light. The single man treats women like dirt ( is that why most Filipino women leave their country to become domestic helpers ) The good looking woman chooses a man, who is not in the same league as her. The married man works and his children are dreadful and his wife is a cow (reminds us that somethings don't change ). The gay and the virgin are the only normal people??? Is that representative of the Filipino abroad? Anyway the acting was good, and with a little more thought to the script, the film could have been more than average.