TWO THUMBS UP FOR "ENGLISH" AND "TADHANA"

2015 began with a bang for the local film industry with two remarkable movies that gave Filipino viewers some quality entertainment. I personally watched both films at the start of the year and I was not disappointed. In fact, I felt that I got my money’s worth.

Though “English Only Please” was one of the entries in the 2014 Metro Manila Festival, it was only after it won several major awards that captured the interests of Filipino movie goers. Its lack of public awareness was understandable, considering that the MMFF were typically dominated by entries with popular celebrities and big budget productions that were usually mediocre and forgettable. No wonder most people trooped to the movie theatres after the New Year to judge for themselves if the film deserved all the recognition it earned.

“English” has a simple and light-hearted story about a perky language tutor (Jennylyn Mercado) who helps a broken-hearted Filipino-American (Derek Ramsey) with his Tagalog. Of course, viewers expect that the two characters will fall in love while having their “language lessons,” but the film incorporated notable scenes that made it entertaining in its entire duration. There were hilarious moments that did not turn-off the viewers. There were also some witty dialogues that are relatable to everyone who were madly in love and then fell out of love. 

The movie definitely merited the accolades it won during the film festival. It is refreshing to see how a simple story can amuse and enlighten at the same time, which created lasting impressions for the audience. This should hopefully encourage movie producers to create more well-written movies with a different storyline and prompt festival organizers to be more selective of the local films it will showcase.   

Meanwhile, “That Thing Called Tadhana” can be considered a surprise hit.The title itself is already catchy enough to make viewers curious of its plot. However, those who are looking for a clear and solid plot with several events unfolding in the movie might be disappointed to know that there’s more talk and less story in “Tadhana.”

The film is about two people who met at an airport in Italy. The female lead (Angelica Panganiban) was heartbroken over the end of her eight-year relationship and inadvertently found solace from a stranger (JM de Guzman). Their accidental meeting eventually led to a road trip that took them to Baguio and Sagada. Both characters shared their past, hopes, and the lessons in between while finding comfort and healing in each other’s company and earning the strength to finally move on. 

And this is where it is widely-recognized as an unexpected hit. With only two characters, a long journey, and too much talk, the film did not bore viewers. Instead, it evoked so many emotions that the word “hugot” became so popular in everyday conversations and in social media. The dialogues are so “sapul”--- the words admittedly can tug anyone’s heart and can shoot straight at it that the same time! The curse words spewed by the two make their anger and frustrations real and believable, while their nuggets of wisdom spoken in between tears all the more endeared themselves to the audience.

The background narration of a heart and an arrow, presented in creative animation, gave it a more philosophical impression. This reflected the movie’s depth, which can be synonymous to a serious “art film” in a charming and light-hearted way.

Both “English” and “Tadhana” are written by Antoinette Jadaone who brilliantly captures the feelings of people who are madly in love and desperately trying to move on. It is also no small wonder that both films are dominated by women protagonists who can relate more to the female audience yet do not exclude the male perspectives. Both have simple plots yet fully engage the viewers’ thoughts and emotions.

The difference is that “English” is intended to be a mainstream movie while “Tadhana” is initially an indie film that eventually got a wide showing in commercial theatres. I can also distinguish the two by how most people reacted to both movies’ finale. “English” gave the viewers’ a happy ending, while “Tadhana” concluded with an enigmatic closure that left the audience feeling “bitin.” It was an ending that gave the audience something to ponder on about love and what could have been. While “English” generally pleased the viewers, “Tadhana” made some feel dissatisfied and left hanging.

Despite their differences, these romantic-comedy films proved that a simple yet well-written story can be a huge hit. Their wide success reflected the growing maturity of both the local film industry and the Filipino public. Indeed, the quality of films and the taste of the audience are slowly evolving into something more sophisticated, creative, and intelligent.

This is good news for all of us love-struck Filipino audience who can now count on more substance and less cheesiness in our rom-com movie fare. Things are looking more positive now for the local film industry. Both “English” and “Tadhana” gave us hope and a competitive alternative for Hollywood movies that have long dominated our theatres.