They're saying the local movie industry is a dying industry and so far this year, only four local films crossed the P100 million benchmark and all but produced by Star Cinema and it's subsidiary film outfits. Viva and Regal Films are still active but more often than not, only a few of their films do well at the box-office and likewise independent filmmakers continue to suffer with limited theater runs due to poor ticket sales.
Given the scenario, Star Cinema manages to beat the odds and comes up with a blockbuster film after another and the latest is a monster hit "Hello, Love, Goodbye." The Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo starrer grossed P603,015,830 in less than three weeks and the movie also premiered in various key cities in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and some Asian countries and is doing very well as expected and posted $2,132,000 to date.
Back to HLG, the movie received decent reviews citing the feel good vibes and charisma it brings to the moviegoers. Long queues filled ticket booths despite the bad weather when it opened three weeks ago and it even beat Hollywood big budget movie "Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw."
HLG, set in Hong Kong, is the story of Joy and Ethan, Joy works as a domestic helper and has only a few months to stay in Hong Kong legally. Her employer planned to terminate her as she could no longer afford to pay her but Joy bargained and agreed to be paid just half of her salary as she needs to stay in Hongkong to facilitate her plans to move to Canada. To bolster her earnings she works part time illegally and hides from police authorities and it was Ethan who saved her when was on the run. The romantic angle is cute and all and the story thickens when it was time for Joy to move to Canada. Ethan asks "kung mahal mo ako bakit hindi ako ang piliin mo?" Joy replied with "Kung mahal mo ako, bakit pinapapili mo ako?" This "hugot" line has become so popular and various memes have surfaced online.
HLG is not just about the story of Ethan and Joy but it also captures the struggles of OFW, working abroad to support their families back home. The director succeeded in all aspects, capturing the feel good vibes and both Richards and Bernardo gave decent performances, ably supported by competent ensemble cast. Another factor that contributes to the movie's success is the unusual team up of Richards and Bernard, who both comes from two perennial rival networks in the country.
The movie, now on its third week, continues to draw crowds beating other local films that opened last week including Hollywood movies. Viva Films "Indak" starring Nadine Lustre suffered miserably at the box-office and some says it's outdated and wrong project as "dance movies" don't sell to local audience. "Just A Stranger" starring Anne Curtis and Marco Gumabao is due for release next week and receives positive feedbacks and it looks like Viva Films will hit it right this time.
With the current technological change and the coming of digital age, people are face with so many options. There are digital platforms where one can watch movies at home and do not have to go out and endure heavy traffic. Filmmakers should carefully set their goals and target their market and not make a movie that is just as good as a TV episode wheren one can watch for free.
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