In so many ways, the new romcom flick from Star Cinema, “Just The Way You Are”, won’t strike as something new and different.
“Just The Way You Are” doesn’t deviate from the excessively overused themes of the genre, a retread masquerading with new, yet uncreatively perceived title, it’s another film adaptation of a bestselling book whose plot resembles countless several others, and it banks on an extremely popular loveteam to take the leads of its overly familiar romantic tale.
Be that as it may, that doesn’t make the movie a complete disaster. The film exudes irresistable charm that would surely keep its hopeless romantic audience lovestruck through its entirity. The fact that it’s headlined by LizQuen—dubbed as this year’s breakout love team—and that the film adheres a relatable and likeable premise, warrants a critic-proof success, and this is why, in spite of its flaws, “Just The Way You Are”, is still enticingly palpable.
The film follows Drake Sison, a playboy who thinks he can make every girl in the campus, fall in love with him. He loves proving to his bestfriend that he can get anything he wants. But when he unexpectedly loses a bet, a challenge to make a girl fall in love with him in no more than 30 days, comes as an instant redemption. The girl is Sophia, nerdy transferee, who is never up for playing games. She’s unsuspiciously clever, and a heartstrong oblivious, who can still easily shrug off Drake’s advances.
But will she last long enough to make Drake give up his seemingly impossible pursuit? Will she fall in love with him? Or will it be the other way around?
Silly how in spite of its unoriginal takes, and being plagued with predictable twists and turns, the film manages to keep its charm.
There’s no doubt Liza and Enrique play a massive part of that appeal, but to disregard the narrative’s endearing and relatable proceedings doesn’t really sound right, either. And why forget the leads’ effective and affecting portrayal of their respective roles? From their massively successful tv series, “Forevermore” this movie comes as a solid testament to how far the two actors have grown in their path toward becoming real movie stars.
This movie wouldn’t be enough, of course, to gauge their capacity as a box office movie couple, but considering it’s just their first movie, “Just The Way You Are” is no doubt a good start.
The key to totally enjoying this movie is to never expect too much for something different, as doing so would only ensue terrible disappointment. Cliché and formulaic retreads form an essential part of this potential blockbuster, and the narrative will rise and fall bending itself in attempts to deliver surprising twists and and turns.
Yet none of those tricks would make the movie into something unforgettable. It’s the seemingly natural chemistry between the leads, and the heart-crippling story they’re part of, that will keep the audience’s interest aflame, and it will make the movie shine, even at so many bleakly sensible moments where it stumbles.
RATING: 7/10 (JE)
