I THINK I'M IN LOVE (**½)
I must be getting soft. In the past two weeks, I have seen more local films than I did all of last year. And if you read my reviews of the last three (SUPER-B, DISKARTE, and MAGKAPATID), it seemed that this summer's Manila Filmfest had showcased the worst that our industry has to offer. I prayed to God that something good could still be found among the Filmfest's offerings. After seeing I THINK I'M IN LOVE, I thanked the Almighty. It's not an entirely good film, but it is far from bad. It has a good feel, promising talents, and sparks of intelligence. Among the Filmfest's entries, it's a gem.
This love story centers around Kaye (Joyce Jimenez of SCORPIO NIGHTS 2), a department store saleslady who has astonishing good looks but is seen as a member of the lower class. Men are attracted to her primarily because of her physical assets, which she uses to full efficiency for selling perfume. She's attracted to one of her regular customers Eric (Piolo Pascual of LAGARISTA) who purchases several vials at a time. He has a reputation for being a ladies man, but he has a good heart.
Through a series of chance meetings, the two protagonists get to know each other better. Eric gets exposed cheating on his two girlfriends and is chastised by his brother, who challenges him to change his view of women. They both make a bet (does this remind you of 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS already?) that Eric get to know a woman by being friends with her first. Thus, he turns his attention to Kaye, making an impression the old-fashioned way, and realizes that he is beginning to fall in love with her, while she falls in love with him.
Romantic comedies such as this rely on a series of unlikely and contrived sequence of moments to hasten the joining of two people we want to see get together. Here, we know that the two are made for each other, but the film requires plot points for them not to realize their union until the very end. We have Kaye's best friend (Roselle Nava) who feels for Kaye's dilemma of not finding the right guy, but wants her to fall for a nerdy suitor. We have Eric's friends who seem not intent on being friendly, but rude and obnoxious. And we have the bet, where we know Eric will feel the need not to reveal it since he's afraid of losing it, only to realize in the end he doesn't want to lose Kaye (haven't we heard that before).
Despite these, and other elements that are concocted to frustrate us, these moments seldom feel heavy-handed. Maryo Delos Reyes handles these plot points as gently and as humorously as possible, that we go along for the ride anyway. What also makes the story easy to handle is the likeability of its leads. Joyce Jimenez has such a charming personality (and a wonderful smile) that she can get away with almost anything (even her excessive giggling throughout most of the movie). She does a good job portraying a lower class beauty with high aspirations, spunk, and spirit. And if you don't quite buy that her uniform is the stuff that salesladies wear nowadays, just go through any Robinson's Department Store to see how unnecessarily revealing their skirts are.
I got into a conversation with one of my friends that one of the reasons he would not see this movie is because Piolo Pascual was in it, and that they were just milking his good looks to get people to watch the film. But that's only a bad thing if the actor has no talent whatsoever (besides, Hollywood has been milking profit from good looking people for decades). Mr. Pascual is definitely handsome, and is talented enough to seem like a decent young man who doesn't come across as being too conscious of his good looks as most heartthrobs do. Now if only he could kiss without looking as if he's trying to pry Joyce's mouth open.
The one performance I was most impressed with was that of Nancy Castigleone who made me laugh cheerfully everytime she did her shtick. She plays one of Eric's ex-girlfriends, but instead of playing just a meanie, she's one you find it hard to get mad at. She has a playful intelligence and an manner of speaking that is an eloquent representation of young high-society teenagers. Whenever she does her cheerleader act, you can't help but smile. And her actions are somewhat justifiable with the way Eric has treated women. I wish there was more of her.
The movie is also surrounded with a terrific supporting cast. What else can you say of Gloria Romero that hasn't already been said. She has, is, and will always be one of the best actresses around, and is an asset everytime she appears. Roselle Nava is also likeable as Kaye's best friend. And the rest of the actors all give realistic touches all over the place (I just wish I knew their names). The nerdy suitor (is just as entertaining as Ms. Castigleone), Kaye's brothers, Ms. Romero's character's love interest, Eric's friends, and even a comedic trio of salesladies are all played properly. The cinematography uses a lot of moving shots (unlike most local films where they pick a frame and stick with it). And the screenplay during many moments in the film, is remarkably (and unusually) witty. One particular line I adored was, "Since I was his first girlfriend, I get to slap him (Eric) first!"
If only the movie hadn't settled into the trappings of a mainstream feature. The way Kaye refuses to even try to understand after hearing the word "bet". How Eric rushes to prevent Kaye from making a huge mistake. How the ending (which is especially sappy) provides happiness for everyone involved. You even get two old people cheek-to-cheek smiling at the two lovers' good fortune. It's as if the film had forgotten about its intelligence and had exploded into goo.
Maybe I liked I THINK I'M IN LOVE because it was such a refreshing change after seeing three worthless Filipino films. But I make my reviews based on my immediate response, and to change that view at a later point would be dishonest. It made me smile more than frown. There's nothing particularly offensive about the film, but it becomes timid just when it becomes engaging. I liked it, but it was more of a polite enjoyment than a delight. Still, it is a good effort showing hints of potential. It shows that there is hope for our industry.
Posted by FLIPCRITIC at June 18, 2002 12:00 AM