This is my first foray into Filipino cinema, and I wasn't disappointed. A great story and wonderful chemistry between Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla make this a wonderful film. Little did I know that these two have collaborated on several movies and are an "item" in real life. Makes sense.
Jackie is an angry young woman who doesn't like her life or anyone in it. Her dream is to go to New York to study photography in order to leave home. However, she is unable to stay out of trouble and ends up in jail. Her mother pleads with her father to let her come to a small, rural village to do some volunteer work for a week. Her father relents, against his better judgment.
Kiko is a responsible young man, who finds himself caring for his younger siblings while his irresponsible mother is out galavanting with any man she can find. He is also one of the coordinators for the program that provides help to the village.
Jackie sees only what has been done to her. In short, she plays the victim. One can understand her anger and resentment once her mother confesses what happened to her when she was young, but Jackie has trapped herself in a miserable situation. Playing a victim will always do that. Kiko, however, who has a number of challenges of his own, elects to fight through them. He doesn't play the victim, which demonstrates why he's a much stronger and more mature person.
Of course, Jackie is resistant to the volunteer program, and even devises plans to escape. Once locked in, she finds herself in a village without electricity, so she can't be on her phone 24/7 as she likes.
I'm a former Peace Corps volunteer, and there is nothing quite like having all of your luxuries and comforts stripped away, which forces you to deal with whatever is in front of you. Jackie learns this lesson as well. She learns quickly that there are people out there with much tougher situations than she's got. In short, she finally begins to mature and grow up. In short, service to others can induce a powerful healing, which is exactly what Jackie needs.
The film is truly beautiful in how the volunteers work with the villagers. So much of it reminded me of my own service. However, the film doesn't end there. As one easily surmises, it becomes evident that Kiko and Jackie have developed feelings for each other.
It is here that I wish the film hadn't decided to use a cliched scenario to set up the "big ending." Too many films do that. I thought that the confrontation between Kiko and Jackie, when he didn't show up for the wedding, would have been perfect, followed by family resolutions after that. I would have been much more practical and unique. However, I can't complain as the movie still works very well. Still, my heart (and my favorite part of the movie) is when they are together at the village.
And I also have to love one of my favorite songs from my high school days, Starship's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" and how it's used so brilliantly. I'm looking forward to watching more films like this one!
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