Regine gives comedy all that she’s got

By Nestor Torre
Inquirer
Last updated 09:14pm (Mla time) 10/16/2006

Published on Page D4 of the October 17, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

VIEWING Mark Reyes’ “Till I Met You,” the new Robin Padilla-Regine Velasquez starrer, is like watching two very different movies in one. The film’s first half is zany and feisty, and focuses on the “hate you” aspect of the two lead characters’ relationship, while the second radically shifts gears to their “love you” denouement. It’s a jarring and dissonant shift, to say the least.

This is what happens when filmmakers conceptualize projects that aim to be all things to all types of viewers. As a result, considerations like unity and consistency of styles and intentions fly out of the window.

It’s a good thing that Regine is able to manage the shift with relative aplomb—a tribute to her versatility as a performer.

Why do Robin and Regine hate each other so much at film’s start? It turns out that Robin’s surrogate dad, hacendero Eddie Garcia, is about to marry “sosyal” Regine, but Robin smells a rotten fish and believes that Eddie’s fiancée is marrying him for his money.

Regine is scared that Robin is about to blow her cover, so she retaliates by lashing out at him and beating him in several impromptu contests, like racing, singing—and getting drunk.

It’s during this last competition that Regine comes up with the movie’s best scene: When her character gets soused, she ceases to behave and talk in a sosyal manner, and reverts to the raucous lush she really is.

The scene is deliciously funny because Regine gives it everything she’s got—complete with a great, show-stopping burp in the end—and doesn’t care if she looks silly and slatternly in the process.

Unfortunately, Robin doesn’t get similarly high marks. He was able to rein in his slapstick and gimmicky tendencies in “La Visa Loca,” but they’re back in full force in his current starrer.

To make things worse, he’s surrounded with similarly slapstick-y supporting actors who add to the movie’s decibel level, milking the story’s comic situation for all the cheap laughs they’re worth.

It’s a good thing that less hysterical performers are on hand to balance the stylistic equation. As a result, despite the movie’s low or shrill moments, viewing it is a generally positive experience.

The film’s first half is particularly eventful and diverting. But the production has a rough time making the radical transition from “funny” to “serious,” and awkward moments accumulate.

Things get even dodgier when the two leads finally admit to their “forbidden” love for one another, Eddie becomes aware of it, Regine gives up her dream of living a wealthy life, and Robin is conflicted due to his love for both his surrogate dad and his unintended intended.

All this proves to be too sticky a mess to efficiently sort out, so the film’s denouement is decidedly dense. Despite this muggy conclusion, however, the movie’s score sheet still ends up with enough plus points to make it a positive viewing experience.