“Langit at lupa” backgrounds caused conflicts between Angie's unpolished broken family and Jed's sophisticated brood. Tension multiplies when husband-seductress Mariel, played by Juliana Palermo, comes into the picture. Will they or won't they survive their family, and much more themselves?
Jose Javier Reyes, one of the best directors in the Philippines, did it again! With an excellent film starring real-life lovers Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo. Santos, who won the best actress for this film, captured the essence of the character with her excellent delivery of lines and natural acting. Agoncillo, a neophyte in film acting, came out rather lame but with the superb support coming from Santos, was able to give a commendable performance.
For those Gen Z’s who doesn’t know, it is a 2006 movie. Real-life pair Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo play Angie and Jed, respectively, who tied the knot with each other in a whimsical manner. After being pressured to migrate to the US by his parents, Jed proposes to Angie, his girlfriend of four months, possibly to ensure a reason for staying here in the Philippines. But their relationship soon rears its ugly head as the young couple realizes that not all marriages are made in heaven. Fights occur, in-laws meddle with personal affairs, and marital infidelity starts to loom around.
The movie is divided into three segments (according to the three words in the title) that show how Angie, a surprisingly mature, funny, and excellent Judy Ann Santos, and Jed an equally superb Ryan Agoncillo survived marriage life, family issues and interruptions, pregnancy and a sexy Barbie doll mistress (Palermo). That's just about it. So why is it such a hit?
Well, maybe because of this very simple film. We can find colorful non-stereotypical characters in a very common situation. At the core of the film, we are introduced to the opposing families. Angie's bototay-making tough-as-nails politician mama Belita, a scene stealer, approves of Angie's choices, as well as her witty and equally tough pop Soliman Cruz and his other family Cheena with his son named Bronson and the whole family. But Jed's sophisticated drama queen mom Charito, a fascinating turn from Gloria Diaz doesn't approve because she dislikes the lifestyle of Angie's clan.
Jose Javier Reyes gathered great picks for the ensemble cast, wrote a hilarious and humane script, gets all the juice in his cast, and just sat back while accolades kept on rolling in his bag. He proves to us again that he's one of the greatest Pinoy directors around (not to mention a writer).
Also, the script, I think was one of this movie's biggest assets, natural and realistic. Who would not forget Bronson, Angie’s half-brother in the film that really marks on minds of those people who watched it already? Most of you recognize and root for Bronson, but there's more caricature in this film. I really hate the fact that most of the movies we Filipinos make today are all "mushy/feel-good/detached from reality" movies but this one rekindled my hopes that indeed we could be at par among the best movie-making industries in the world. Praises aren’t enough for the wonderful ensemble in their beautiful depiction of family, friends, and Filipinos. Incredibly terrific and rare.
The editing and music are also terrific and flawless. Choice of music, og, classic pambansang kanta ng bayan. The reworking of Yeng's Hawak Kamay becomes ear candy in this movie.
Despite the title that suggests something that goes into revolutionary status, there's no mistaking that at its core, "Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo" is a mass-marketed romantic comedy. Still, all things considered, the film is not only funny and engaging but also unexpectedly sincere and insightful. What ensues is amusing if a tad spotty film that mixes a little bit of "War of the Roses," "Meet the Parents/Fockers," "Monster-in-Law," and a generous amount of Filipino flavor and sarcasm on the contemporary local culture, Joey Reyes-style.
For me, there is something lacking in Juday and Ryan's on-screen chemistry. Or maybe I'm just partial to the Judy Ann Santos and Piolo Pascual tandem? Anyway, in the tradition of a Joey Reyes blockbuster hit, overall, Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo is without a doubt a simple, entertaining, feel-good Pinoy chick flick that JPIAns may watch for a little bit of break from stress.
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