Imagine You and Me (stylized as Imagine You & Me) is a 2016 Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Michael Tuviera starring Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza.
The film was released on July 13, 2016, 3 days before AlDub's first anniversary on July 16, under APT Entertainment, GMA Films, and M–Zet TV Production, Inc.
SPOILER ALERT!!
My notes on Imagine You & Me:
1. Hi, I'm Json and I am a lapsed AlDub fan. (Hi, Json!) I joined the bandwagon right before a wall separated Alden and Yaya Dub in Kalyeserye and jumped off a little after their love team's debut fizzled in My Bebe Love. Although I continued to receive updates from some die-hard friends, I was still pleasantly surprised to witness the newfound chemistry that they had been raving about. In this movie, AlDub had indeed moved on to being MaiChard and everything just felt right...and real.
2. Could someone explain Maine Mendoza's appeal to the older crowd? Whenever I watched this type of rom-com, most of the shrieking would come from teenage girls (and directed at the male lead, like Daniel Padilla or James Reid), but I swear about half the people screaming and getting their fill of kilig in our screening were older women (even grandmothers!) rooting for Maine (as Gara). They could very well have been watching the newest Sampaguita or LVN picture.
3. I didn't have high hopes when the movie started with "Sabi nila ang pag-ibig ay..." and then showed a montage of star-crossed lovers, especially since this quirky style and formula had been trademarked and more effectively used by Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone, but the story progressed much better than expected (up until the dreary final moments).
The movie rested heavily on Maine's tiny shoulders and she more than delivered, keeping the first thirty or so Alden-less minutes brisk, light, and fun to watch, whether she was getting dumped by her gay boyfriend, lamenting her supposedly cursed lovelife, or simply getting off her bike because the road was "matarik". I probably laughed the most when she took a selfie with that pader (kasi wala naman talagang ganung pader sa Pilipinas haha!).
4. Elapsed time before the first advertisement: one minute-ish (Magnolia), probably the fastest one so far in recent memory. I wasn't surprised to see a barrage of other products (including McDonald's and O+) figure prominently in the story. In one scene where Alden Richards was supposedly drunk, I think there was even a hint of Bench underwear peeking under his jeans (or was I just too fixated on that area?).
5. I really liked how Alden (as Andrew) was always on the verge of tears in every scene (whenever he wasn't being bugnutin). The movie was able to play on his strength as a dramatic actor and he could easily give John Lloyd Cruz (or even Judy Ann Santos) a run for best crier in local cinema. My favorite scene of his was the videoke session ("Wala ako sa kondisyon eh", "Ano 'to grand finals?") ending with him crying over a sappy Tagalog love song. (Side note: Alden seems to be such a genuine person. I really get that strong vibe from him.)
6. "Mag-ingat ka sa mga lalaking mapuputi na ganyan. Mga pa-fall ang mga 'yan." - Kakai Bautista referring to...
(Yang tataaaaaaaa?)
7. There were so many gorgeous shots of Italy and I'm sure that a lot of people would start saving up just to experience grabbing the right breast of Juliet's statue in Verona. (Hey, if I were to touch one again it might as well be for good luck.) I really liked that tracking shot that followed the pair going in and out of the adjacent rooms and veranda (overlooking a mountain view) with them barely missing each other.
8. Loved Jasmine Curtis since Transit and she was good here as the leukemia-stricken third party, but it felt like her character's arc was unnecessary (besides, wouldn't it have been more depressing if Gara was competing with a dead girl?). Actually, the entire dramatic third act including the last minute (out of nowhere) accident felt forced and didn't earn the tears (similar to that rant of Gara after she was accused of stealing, "Oo mahirap lang ako..."; where did that come from, such a weird transition).
9. Carpool karaoke officially became a staple in local rom-coms. Although it was fun to see Gara sing April Boy Regino's Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin, it was still hard to believe that Andrew would have that in his playlist. As one character said, "Makikilala mo ang isang tao sa song choices niya" and I could have sworn snobby Andrew was the Ed Sheeran type.
10. "Kaya naimbento ang glue, para kahit gaano kawasak ang isang bagay, pwede pa ring mabuo." Sigh.
11. My favorite nods to AlDub:
• Gara during the car sing-along, "Eh sa gusto kong mag Dubsmash." (Although it wasn't technically a Dubsmash.)
• Gara asking, "Hindi ka nagulat na NBSB ako. Sinasabi mo bang panget ako?" (Wink wink, haters.)
• That Tamang Panahon reference.
• July 16, 2016 written on the lock that they left on Juliet's wall (Happy anniversary! For real?).
12. If you're a big believer of fate and destiny ala Romeo and Juliet ("Ang bawat coincidence ay nakatakda na"), then you would really enjoy this movie. I had my reservations since I belong in the "I create my own destiny" team.
13. Prepare your ears for that second sweet kiss (since the first happened while one of them was in a coma). You have been warned.
Also, this may not be a Marvel movie, but stay until the very end of the closing credits. Confirmed!!
Movie Rate : ★★★☆☆
Movie Review by : Jason Javier
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