It has been a while since a romantic comedy which may on the surface seem like a slight effort leaves viewers divided. There are those who upon catching "I Do," billed as popular TV love pair Enchong Dee and Erich Gonzales’s first solo mainstream project, were left unmoved. We even read somewhere that the Cinema Evaluation Board did not give the movie any grade at all. This is the same local film grading board that has bestowed in the past a glowing "A" rating to something that you assume is a film event. Only to find out after seeing it that it does not live up to the hype and CEB seal of approval. (Note: Do not ask us what movie it is because apparently it is actually a trifle that its title eludes us at the moment.)
Days after seeing the movie at its premiere screening, most of the feedback we’ve heard is not exactly favorable. One reviewer cites, for example, that "I Do," a look into a young couple’s journey towards realization of what a happy ending is, resembles at times, and we quote, "May tendency na maging gag show o pinagdugtung-dugtong na comedy skits ang mga eksena." We will have to disagree. If we are to use as gauge the existing gag shows on the boob tube (GMA7’s "Bubble Gang," ABS-CBN’s "Banana Split," et al), the regular gag program can be funny but not – no, make that –never insightful. "I Do" manages to score on both counts: it is, all in the same breath, cute and insightful.
Star Cinema’s "I Do" is a pleasant surprise. For someone who has seen the best and worst of rom-coms (romantic comedies) churned out by both local and international film studios, we have learned to not take the genre too seriously. As long as the finished product does not insult our sensibilities, then we feel that it has achieved its goals. And so, we went to watch "I Do" prepared not to like it and ended up, loving it.
Far from being perfect, "I Do" tries to explore the development of a young relationship that dares to challenge the moral dictates of society and, on another level, the cultural differences that exist between two people who come from disparate social classes and racial roots. It does not always succeed but the mere valiant try is commendable.
Romantic comedies are a tricky path to tread because so many formulaic limitations hamper its filmmakers. Unlike the usual boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl-but-gets-her-in-the-end-anyway fare that are periodically served to our palates, "I Do" dares to experiment by touching on topics that are otherwise not exactly within the norms of the romantic comedy genre. It wins you over instantly because it combines a hint of slapstick, an ounce of mush, a tinge of drama without ever losing its restraint. That scene where Enchong Dee’s character, a young Fil-Chinese caught between familial duties and the dictates of his heart, reunites with his grandfather (played by Jun Urbano) who tells him, "You’ve become a man. I am proud of you," was so moving we were fighting the tears from rolling down our cheeks. In the hands of a less sensible and sensitive director, that scene would have been milked dry.
It also serves to confirm "I Do" director Veronica Velasco’s original thesis for her first mainstream project after acclaimed works such as "Inang Yaya" and "Last Supper No. 3." "It is a coming-of-age story. ‘Yung maturity makikita mo," Velasco says, "sa umpisa mababaw lang, hanggang sa lumalim na, makikita mo ‘yung growth ng mga characters. Nagsimula sila (the film’s main leads) na ito lang, kaunti lang ang alam nila sa mundo. Like all kids, akala nila it’s all fun and game. As the story goes along, makikita mo na palalim nang palalim ang concerns nung mga tao. And ‘yung meaning of love nag-iiba din for them."
Other than being a coming-of-age tale, "I Do" is like one enjoyable journey towards one big enlightenment – that in real life, happy endings are how we perceive them to be. As Erich’s character narrates via voice-over in the film’s penultimate scene (the image of Erich walking down an aisle not to the altar, but to the coffin of Enchong’s character’s lolo, is a striking vignette that emphasizes the irony of how two emotions – joy and sorrow – can exist in one strange moment): "Dati ang akala kong happy ending ay ‘yung maikasal ako." In the end, she realizes that happiness really comes from accepting the realities that bound our state of bliss.
One other accomplishment of the movie is how it was able to make viewers see that Erich and Enchong are two relatively new talents that are definitely worth looking out for. Despite the fairly difficult and complex nature of their roles, they both come up with performances that are alternately delightful and moving. It is so refreshing, for once, to see Erich act without that "crying voice" she is wont to exhibit in her TV outings. On the other hand, Enchong, and he is not even 25 yet, displays the potentials of a good dramatic actor. Together, they give us concrete proof of what genuine chemistry is all about.
More than the Kim (Chiu) and Gerald (Anderson) team-up which in its three movie excursions failed to ignite the big screen, Enchong and Erich convince us to take the trip to the world of make-believe along with them and accept them as screen lovers without ever leading us into believing, away from the cameras, that a romance is brewing between them. In the tradition of the truly great acting teams in Philippine cinema, the likes of Vilma (Santos) and Christopher (de Leon), Lolita (Rodriguez) and Eddie (Rodriguez), Nida (Blanca) and Nestor (de Villa), Erich and Enchong never trick us into believing the existence of an obviously fabricated off-screen romance but boy, do they have the gift of weaving magic and holding us under a wonderful spell.
"Sina Erich and Enchong," points out Velasco, "ang laking sakrispisyo doing ‘I Do’ for them both kasi naglalagari sila sa (show na) ‘Magkaribal.’ From the set of ‘Magkaribal,’ they report to us. From our set, back to ‘Magkaribal’ sila. ‘Yung devotion nila kakaiba. They’re very passionate about their work."
In an industry where charming pairings are a dime a dozen, passion is the key. It is what will take you places.
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