Movie Review : Mr. & Mrs. Cruz (2018)

After the surprise box-office smash hit of 2017, Kita Kita, director Sigrid Bernardo is back to give us another romance film that will surely give us the feels. Mr. & Mrs. Cruz stars JC Santos and Ryza Cenon as two strangers with similar surnames who cross paths during their soul-searching trip in Palawan. The film is produced by Viva Film who gave us last year's tearjerker, 100 Tula Para Kay Stella, together with Spring Films, the same team behind the movie Kita Kita.

The film follows two strangers, Raffy (JC Santos) and Gela (Ryza Cenon) who flew to Palawan to have some time alone and away from everything else. In a surprising twist of fate, both of them share the same surname: Cruz. This caused an assumption in every people they meet that they are a couple. Eventually, they decided to just pretend that they are a couple and started touring the province together, eventually learning one another's past heartbreaks and getting to know each other. The question is... will they still choose to stay together as Mr. and Mrs. Cruz by the end of their trip?

The film's premise may be a bit familiar to moviegoers as it will remind us of films like That Thing Called Tadhana (2015) or I'm Drunk, I Love you (2017). It features characters travelling around different places in the country as they try to find their-selves while on a road-trip. These road-themed romance films usually features one province, like Sagada (That Thing Called Tadhana) or La Union (I'm Drunk, I Love You) and incorporates the setting into it's story. This movie is no different from these films because the film's setting (Palawan, in this case) also plays a big role in the film's proceedings. Without spoiling anything, most of the movie (except some flashbacks) happened in Palawan-it starts and ends there. The film uses the amazing beauty of Palawan to it's advantage. Every scene is carefully framed and shot to make sure that it will highlight the beauty of the province. The film's shots of the Underground River are truly breathtaking. One can almost feel and taste the clear blue waters of Coron through it's majestic shots. The movie was indeed a great venue to promote the province of Palawan and it's tourist attractions.

The film had some weird moments where the two protagonist suddenly get isolated from the rest of the world. The two characters suddenly being left alone in a boat while cruising the Underground River. The two protagonists dancing while bubbles suddenly flew out of nowhere. As if everyone else around them didn't existed. But aside from these awkward moments, the film was really entertaining and is filled with scenes that will make audiences squeal.

The film's story is quite simple at first, but it gets complicated as we get to know these two characters more. There's more to their story before coming to the island, and this is where the film get's much of it's hugot. These two characters relive each other's past heartbreaks, bringing back all the drama and pain that they've tried so hard to forget. The good thing about this film is that the pain that these characters are experiencing felt so realistic. The actors are very capable in making us believe that these two characters are real humans like us and through them, we can definitely feel that pain. Anyone who has loved before can definitely relate to their characters.

There were some very short moments that admittedly was feeling a bit slow, but they're not that noticeable when looking back at the movie as a whole. The good thing about the movie is that director Sigrid made sure that it takes it's time in building up our two protagonists, Raffy and Gela. Each one's past is slowly revealed through the two character's discussions and conversations. At first, this setup might look boring but JC Santos and Ryza Cenon did a pretty good job in giving life to these characters that we are so hooked to hearing more of their stories and learning more about their lives before. Their self-aware characters were really fun to watch as they deconstruct different concepts of love and marriage and stereotypes of romance and relationships. 

The two of them make for a great pair onscreen. Ryza Cenon was amazing as Gela. This movie was a great way to showcase her acting prowess because her talent was on full display here. In one of the film's most memorable moments inside a bar where the two protagonist are discussing about their pasts while drinking, she shined in her character as she played it with full conviction. JC Santos always impressed me every time I see him in the big screen. From his heartbreaking performance as Fidel in 100 Tula Para Kay Stella last year, he was able to transform into a whole new character with Raffy. He has this great sensibility which aptly matches Ryza Cenon's.

Though not as impactful as director Sigrid's previous effort Kita Kita, the film's ending will still leave a mark in audience's hearts as we watch a fairy-tale come to it's conclusion. The realistic ending borders between sad and hopeful, it's as if the movie is asking us to think what are the possibilities long after the credits roll. It has this lasting effect on you, and it will keep you thinking: what will happen next? 

All in all, the film is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. It is another great addition to director Sigrid's profile as a director, and a great showcase of talent for it's cast.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰  of 5