There are moments in Star Cinema’s “The Achy Breaky Hearts” that can literally suspend audience into thinking, ones arriving on the heels of the film’s harsh questions and brooding sentiments that somehow make its very title, impeccably accurate.
It’s a blow that entirely mocks the generally comic nature of the film, which for most part, is an endearing take of a woman’s struggle to comply with social standards that make her an anomaly.
There is an emphatic charm in its mockery, mostly adequate with affectionate humor in delivering relevant social contexts, that may be often harsh, but compellingly persuasive and emotionally engrossing at the same time.
Much of this film bears the overly conventional template of the genre, a romantic comedy, trying to dig a familiar territory. At its center, is a woman pursued by two equally irresistible gentlemen.
Chinggay (Jodi Sta. Maria) is being bombarded by the same exact question about when exactly she’s gonna settle down, by people surrounding her—one whose answer she’s never been able to grope since her last relationship. It is a lingering question that she finally begins to ponder on in a wake of an old woman’s death. Ryan (Ian Veneracion) is a sentimental lover boy, whose loyalty is betrayed by his cheating girlfriend. He conveniently arrives at a time Chinggay’s heart is ready, but when her ex-boyfriend, Frank (Richard Yap), returns, a rivalry between two overqualified bachelors, is ensued.
At its helm, Director Antoinette Jadaone — who also happened to be Sta.Maria and Veneracion’s director in last year’s MMFF entry, “All You Need is Pag-ibig” — molds the film into her signature ‘hugot lines’-filled template, populating its narrative with relatable lines that primarily concern about one’s pursuit of true happiness.
Here, she maneuvers conventional proceedings with takes, that may not be always unique, but refreshing enough to make her film’s central characters shine. She is successful making the three leads capture their individual spotlight, but the two pairs she manages to make from the three, conjure unparalleled magic that can leave every hopeless romantic audience, breathless on their seats.
Far from the tragic notions of its very title, the film manages to deliver an affectionate appeal that stays cogent even at the moment when the film arrives at its surprising ending. A poweful film about relationships, commitment, perfect timing, and genuine happiness, “The Achy Breaky Hearts” is so far, the most charming rom-com of the year.
RATING: 3.5/4 (Je)
4 — Terrific
3 — Good
2 — Tolerable
1 — Terrible
