It is really not easy to figure out which character is at the emotional core of Antoinette Jadaone’s “All You Need is Pag-ibig.”
It is quick to establish the relevance of Love (Kris Aquino), a celebrated TV host for a program known to provide on-air love advice, but immediately goes on making bigger rooms for what initially appeared as small peripheral characters, but later on turned to be equally, if not bigger, elements of this multi-sub-plotted story.
The proceedings run through leaping from one character’s subplot to another, but it never loses connection to the narrative’s central theme–“pag-ibig” or love, itself, making it capaple of delivering heartwarming tales of relatable love.
The film’s biggest setback achieving a sheer form is perhaps the fact that it has too many characters to accomodate and develop in spite of its limited screen-time, but Jadaone finds a way to make these characters matter at exact moments, allowing every important character shine the most at key instances, even if their exposure seems so limited for them to get palpable.
Kim Chiu’s Anya is arguably owning the most relatable struggle of the characters, and the actress does a decent job delivering the intended sentiment. Her chemistry with Xian Lim’s Dino exudes irresistable kilig, but the one coming from Ian Veneracion’s Eric and Jodi Sta. Maria’s Mel, is arguably (and in my opinion), more fatal to the hopeless romantics.
The narrative moves on introducing pieces of its entirety, each of which is possibly connected to another. Corina (Pokwang), a teacher who seems unable to move on from his now-married ex, is the aunt of twins, Talia (Kelsey) and Hanna (Julia), whose schoolmate, Jake (Bimby Yap) has grown a puppy love towards his beautiful tutor, Anya.
It also features two endearing old couple trying to save a tired marriage. Ultimately, these characters radiate around Love, whom Corina has inevitably sought a love advice for. The film weaves these side stories into deftly fashion, that no matter how complex its structure is, it succeeds delivering its sentiments.
This is probably not Jadaone’s best work, for it lacks the depth, weight, and detail, that made her previous hits poignantly remarkable.
However, the film isn’t short of charm, and it has beautiful and heartwarming moments that deliver tangible sentiments, the best of which presented with poetry and music. It also boasts a rich photography, stunning renders of its beautiful settings, particularly those showcasing Coron.
These elements help form a solid structure for the movie, allowing it arrive to a palatable, feel good finish. This film will both make audience fall in love, laugh at its comic attempts, and shed at tear at small, but tug-at-the-heartstring moments.
RATING: 7/10 (JE)
“All You Need is Pag-ibig” is an official entry to the 41st Metro Manila Film Festival.
