Movies that run for more than two hours often bore the audience unless, of course, they are action-packed or thrive on subjects that can stimulate the senses that even if they run for long hours, the time would fly fast, like under 60 minutes perhaps. That’s how interestingly good film is.
But the same thing cannot be said of Emmanuel dela Cruz’s My Rebound Girl top-billed by Alex Gonzaga and Joseph Marco. For one, the movie runs exactly for two hours and 10 minutes, but it felt like you’ve watched for almost half a day.
Since the Regal Entertainment-produced movie premiered two weeks ago, we haven’t heard much about the romantic comedy that tackles three stages of a disappointed love: heartbreak, moving on and finding a new romantic partner.
Intrigued by the film’s unusual silence on all media platforms, I decided to find out for myself why nobody seems is talking about it amid the production outfit’s beautifully crafted press release.
On a busy weekend at the movie house near my place, where the film will be pulled out this week, there were only five people watching. I guess they also wanted to satisfy their curiosity.
Cruz’s intention was clear at the onset. He wanted to stick with the popular rom-com formula with two indifferent people ending up in each other’s arm. He has probably realized that objective was rather a harrowing and dragging experience. As it is, this is a movie only its stars’ diehard fans, its own makers, its stars, and producers could genuinely appreciate.
The story unfolds with Rocky (Gonzaga) creating a list of what to do and what not to do in her next relationship after her failed romance with Timmy (Carl Guevarra), one of her business partners in a coffee shop that has yet to open. Tired of being the rebound girl, she decides to stick to her rules. But she is immediately challenged by her own rules when she makes a connection with another heartbroken young man, Rich (Marco), an affluent bachelor who happens to own a coffee plantation in Cordillera.
Believing she has already found the perfect coffee blend to be the signature drink at their coffee shop, Rocky decides to finally open the establishment for business. In the process, she also opens her heart to Rich, who, just like her previous relationships, is secretly having a romantic rendezvous with his ex.
There is hardly any chemistry between the two central characters. Their romantic scenes are bursting with passé dialogues and gestures. The audience seemed unable to figure out what the characters are up to. It’s difficult to recall any memorable scene between the two that could make singles crave to be in a relationship or for couples to feel inspired to love more…no palpable romantic scenes in short. Hence, the promise of “kilig” overload was just an illusion. Cruz needs to watch more romantic movies from which he can draw inspiration.
Gonzaga’s comedic skills were underutilized in the film, while Marco’s acting was flat and stiff as if he’s reading his lines directly from the script.
My Rebound Girl can be likened to a bad 3-in-1 coffee. I can’t consider it a comedy for it is short of humor and it is hardly even romantic. Gonzaga and Marco only appeared to be just shoehorned into this lame story.