For the record, I did not like the first installment (A Very Special Love) of the “Sarah-John Lloyd Trilogy”. Yes, it was entertaining especially the “sun dance”. Yes, John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo had great chemistry. However, it overlooked a lot of things. Things I needed to consider it a romantic movie that would be remembered at least for the next five years.
Okay, I was wrong because fast forward to 2013, Star Cinema releases the third (and last?) movie entitled It Takes a Man and Woman.
The movie starts in a familiar manner teasing the viewers if whether the relationship of Laida and Miggy has stood the test of time (at least after the ending of the second movie). Well, SPOILER ALERT! It did not. Apparently, circumstances have led their relationship to fall apart and Laida being the optimistic girl that she rose to the top. And Miggy the self-destructive guy that he snowballed down to the ground.
Like the second movie (You Changed My Life), Miggy’s company is in trouble and Laida is there to help. This time, she is different. She is the new Laida who is wiser, bolder and fiercer. She is Laida Magtalas version 2.0 a.k.a. Laida the ex-girlfriend.
I will not go into the details because obviously like most Star Cinema movies, the movie is formulated. Viewers can easily predict where everything is going. It’s like as if a flowchart is being followed while writing every Filipino romantic comedy there is.
Continuing, It Takes a Man and a Woman is well made and is a good way to end a “trilogy”. The “formula” of the storyline is the right choice to end a love story. Being the third installment, viewers are already familiar and attached to the characters including the minor ones such as Zoila and friends. It is easier to make the viewers react positively to the movie. With this, Star Cinema is already knowledgable on exactly what makes the audience cry and laugh.
The performances of the actors were good. Sarah Geronimo played Laida effortlessly so as John Lloyd Cruz as Miggy. I was especially impressed with John Lloyd during the wedding scene. He acted so genuinely. He really did look like a groom happily and tearfully waiting for his bride.
My problem with the movie is that the writing (I think) is not well edited. Some characters have been unnecessarily introduced. Some of the scenes also seem to be unnecessary. Some of the extras also have had unnecessary screen time.
I also wish the characters spoke less English. I don’t know. I’m just a big supporter of the Filipino language.
I have nothing against romantic comedies produced by Star Cinema or by any Filipino production outfit for that matter but we can do better. Mainstream cinema can still do better.
I don’t mean to put the blame solely on the production outfits because we, as viewers who are easily entertained by such movies, can be considered the main culprits. We can be more intelligent viewers.
I don’t mean to be a party pooper but yeah, we only get the quality we deserve.
THEN AGAIN, maybe it’s just me.