Rory Quintos' Suddenly It's Magic - Engaging Escapist

Marcus Hanson (Mario Maurer) has always wanted to be an actor, but being a Thai celebrity is a different matter. Everyone wants a piece of him and it’s wearing him down. When perennial screen partner and girl friend Sririta Taylor (Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul) drops Marcus for another man, the pressure to keep appearances overwhelms. After all they have a huge fan base as screen sweethearts – and their current predicament might spell box office disaster for their new project. As a consequence, Marcus feels lost. He’s been in the business since he was 12. Things were different back then when everything was “uncomplicated, happy, perfect”. Now he wants to get away from it all; somewhere no one knows who he is. And his Pinay house keeper Chinggay (Joy Viado) gives him an idea.

Marcus escapes to Laoag north of the Philippine capital where he meets Joey Hermosa (Erich Gonzales), an unassuming local lass who takes pride in baking and peddling her delicious cupcakes. Unfortunately, Marcus makes a big misstep when, after a bite, he calls her cake “the saddest tasting cupcake ever” unaware that it was Joey’s creation. Joey is, of course, livid. And wooing the hard-working Pinay becomes a hurdle. So Marcus pulls out all the stops and makes the charm offensive. What lady wouldn't listen - with hearts a flutter - when a gorgeous Thai movie prince makes “ligaw” and “harana”, debah? A simple Pinay couldn't be immune to Marcus’ undeniable appeal where millions of Thai girls have already fallen.

Joey flies back with Marcus to Thailand. But the public’s reception for Joey is tepid. People call her “ugly” and she gets banned on the set of Marcus’ film set. What’s worse, Marcus starts missing important appointments, including an endorsement deal with a popular cola and a lucrative, albeit crucial audition with an American film director! When Joey meets Marcus’ mai (Apasiri Chantrasmi), she gets told that, while she may be good for Marcus, their coupling isn’t good for his career; something that he’s dreamt of all his life. Now he’s letting it all go. What’s a girl to do? 

Rory Quintos’ “Suddenly It’s Magic” traverses the modern day fairy tales. It's a world where a prince meets his unlikely princess. The cinematic palette dazzles with a motley of kaleidoscopic vignettes; postcard-pretty sites (windmills in Bangui, Ilocos Norte; the temples of Chiang Mai and Muang Boran, the miniature floating village of Ancient Siam; the picturesque Banyan Tree Resort, etc.); of local color that brims with enthralling traditions like the renowned Pinoy fiesta, or praying in Buddhist temples and Catholic churches, etc.) It’s hard not to fall in love with the pretty canvas. But the exposition, designed exactly like the current – and very popular – Thai romcoms, is limited by the scope of the genre.

"Suddenly..." is the perfect escapist fare. Situations arise as briskly, grazing over issues at the flick of a finger.

Mario Maurer is undeniably a sight to behold. His screen presence is so potent you don’t want to take your eyes off the screen when he’s there. He absolutely dominates the screen so you don’t wonder why he’s a huge movie star in Thailand. Maurer doesn't mind looking silly – as when he lurches into beat boxing and rapping to serenade his leading lady. Maurer is simply swoon worthy - and I've never heard an audience giggle and swoon as much as they did here - and for the most benign scenes. One thing's sure, Maurer has conquered the Philippines and how. This year, the Thais have made it to the Philippine silver screen with the “other” Superstar Ananda Everingham appearing in Cinemalaya's homoerotic “Kalayaan”.

Erich Gonzales, like her previous starrers, displays her relaxed demeanor in a character that could easily be schmaltzy. She is truly a rare combination of beauty and thespic wisdom. Despite a disconsolate back story (she’s the illegitimate love child of the incumbent governor played by Jestoni Alarcon), Erich disallows her character to wallow in anguish or self pity. Her story is seemingly told in almost cursory tack adequately harmonizing with the romcom genre. Erich’s gift is more the voice of experience than instinct making her one of the brainier actresses of her generation. Many other actresses who grew up in the business rely on experience, but Gonzales seems more cerebral. And yes, a heavy handed stroke doesn't do the genre good. So she does this with a calm and collected flair.

Unfortunately, the limitation of the genre is also its weakest link. When Marcus returns to Ilocos to reclaim his love (after a successful stint making his first Hollywood film), he faces the approbate beauty with  adequate conviction - that this time around, they will try to make it work. How? They have the same issues, and these remain unresolved. Marcus' mother and managing firm still think of Joey as a hurdle. He still has fans who believe he should be with Sririta. How different could their situation be this time? If they go about it the same way they did the first time, he will once again lose his dreams and put the blame on the hapless lass whose only "sin" was loving a popular star. Then they're back to square one, aren't they? The film, it seems, falls back to easy resolutions - and this is crystal to any thinking viewer.

"Suddenly It's Magic" isn't Quintos' best. In fact it could be her weakest, and any dingbat who fashions himself as a thinking "critic" will easily see through the flimsy, escapist veneer. But the more obvious fact is, the flick is a bowl of joy. It is a blissful watch. It's the sweetest cotton candy. It's saccharine sweet and tickles your fancy, but it's fluffiness melts in gustatory delusions.

"The saddest tasting cupcake ever..." cries Marcus.

A temple in Chiang Mai

An Ilocos beauty

So many lip locking scenes for Mario and Erich.

Zany duo hams it up before the camera (above and below).

Younger Mario Maurer who's already a looker as a pubescent boy.

A German-Thai charmer conquers the Philippines.

Be still my beating heart. :)

Beautiful Erich Gonzales

     

Wenn Deramas' This Guy's in Love With U Mare - Gender Bending Triangle

On their third anniversary, Lester Reyes (Vice Ganda) plans a scheme that would have boyfriend Mike (Luis Manzano) pop the big question. The ambiance has been fashioned for a romantic night - with the help of Lester’s gay posse’ (Ricky Rivero, Ricci Chan, Lassi and IC Mendoza). But while Lester has compiled his anniversary gifts (wrist watch, a pair of shoes, a new cellphone) for his lover, Mike is empty handed. What’s worse, the latter breaks up with Lester. He says he’s turned “born-again Christian”. Their relationship doesn't quite make the equation with regards to his religious belief. Lester is nonplussed and hurt, even mildly suicidal. He may not take Mike's excuse hook, line and sinker, but what can he do?

One day, he learns that Mike is actually engaged to toothsome bank clerk Gemma (Toni Gonzaga). So Lester devices a ruse to make Gemma fall in love with him. He conceives a staged mauling that would have him defend Gemma against some assailants. In this incident, Lester valiantly wins against the masked marauders (played by Lester’s gay friends). He adheres to the unwritten rule book on diligent courtship and showers Gemma with time, attention, and gifts. He deposits P5 million at Gemma’s bank. He ups the charm offensive. After all, he knows what girls want – and he’s pulling all the stops to break Gemma and Mike. Lester even successfully insinuates his presence on Gemma’s fractious parents (Buboy Garovillo and Carla Martinez). Gemma relishes Lester’s seemingly boundless devotion. After all, which girl isn’t flattered by such generous display of affection? Mike isn’t pleased. Why is his girlfriend even entertaining a suitor? They are engaged. Or is she falling for him?

When Lester invites Gemma for the “back to back to back” show of her favorite performers, Aegis and April Boy Regino (a show that Mike dismisses rabidly), she accepts the invitation which Mike eventually learns. Jealous and infuriated, Mike vows to meet this mysterious guy; only to learn that it’s his ex-lover Lester. How can she tell Gemma about his past and warn her about Lester’s real intention? He could lose her for this. What to do?

Director Wenn V. Deramas uncharacteristically delivers an ouvre with substantial cinematic flesh. The narrative is focused, and seems to adhere to a written script, thus Vice Ganda’s improvisational proclivity is less exploited here than his previous starrers. This is good news. The end-product is an engaging story that could be an authentic human experience which can’t be said about “Praybeyt Benjamin” or “Petrang Kabayo”.      

Of course there are jokes that didn’t quite work: like when Vice suddenly referenced Madam Auring and Zenaida Seva, the punch line wallowed in decumbency. His impression of Gollum was similarly flat. His constant reference to Lassy’s “repugnant” features eventually gets overbearing – and churlishness is never funny. In fact, in time it seems analogous to the humor that bullies get whenever they intimidate others. But I am nitpicking.

The scenes where Vice mimics Vilma Santos’ scenes from “Darna and the Planet Women” are almost a stroke of genius. Reference to Darna in relation to character definition for homosexuals isn’t lost in us.

This is clearly Vice Ganda’s vehicle. He moves with effulgent rhythm and motivation, almost never missing a beat. His effortless comic delivery is unmatched, and he’s a joy to behold when he drips with sarcasm. Toni Gonzaga, on the other hand, is enthusiastic. Like most of her romcoms (where she reigns supreme), Toni is a magnetic presence. Her self-deprecating ability successfully figures in most of her scenes. She doesn’t mind looking silly, making her comic scenes funnier than they should be.

Meanwhile, Luis Manzano’s efforts are a hit-and-miss. It’s obvious though that Luis has developed a degree of comfort and camaraderie with Vice Ganda (they’ve worked together five times in the past). However, Luis sometimes dives into obsequious territory, making his punch lines more academic than visceral. This tendency deflects humor.

There’s much to relish in “This Guy’s In Love With You, Mare”. I like that Lester is surrounded by a bevy of supportive friends – though they could only be servile since they all work for him. But the message of friendship is strong. The film also cursorily underlines the existence and/or validity of a male-male relationship. Unfortunately, this is comedy and there are limitations of genre, thus getting into the nitty gritty of things goes beyond its nature. But it could be interesting. After all, Mike was a guy who took advantage of Lester’s bounties in exchange of sleeping with him. Who’s prey and who’s predator?

Sam Milby is a delightful presence. He cameos as the anonymous soul who saves a character in the story, one who nearly drowned.

“This Guy…” boasts of a compact narrative, brisk pacing, hilarious situations and inspired performances. It’s easy to see why people flock to see it. This is evident even on its first day of commercial release. This boundless energy is virulent. It electrifies all the way down my seat. So darn funny.