Romance clichés aren’t exactly the best selling point of Viva Entertainment’s latest movie, “This Time”, but they provide some recognizable strength to a simple script that mostly depends on its lead actors’ inherent on-screen charm.
Helmed by Director Nuel Naval, the James Reid and Nadine Lustre starrer, has all the makings of a traditional romantic movie, as it screams with overfamiliarity. Be that as it may , the narrative has a level of affectionate poignancy that enforces the sentiments of the film’s already familiar material—it’s honest, and is imbued with incredible authenticity from the the pair, granting the narrative a searing capacity to tug at the heartstrings.
Following the romantic tale of childhood bestfriends, Coby (James Reid) and Ava (Nadine Lustre), “This Time” stands on the perpetual promise of a love that encompasses through time. Radiating around the Coby and Ava, are two other parallel tales that bestows the central characters and their love story, a genuinely affectionate meaning. Coby and Ava’s set up, itself, presents their ‘unlabeled’ relationship, a challenge, as they can only meet every summer.
Time restraint, though, isn’t exactly the reason why this brewing tale of love is hindered to grow. When Coby’s grandpa (Freddie Webb) finally decides to find his long lost love (Nova Villa), he has to set aside seeing Ava, again, resorting to survive a long-distance correspondence, instead, as they eagerly wait for the right moment to come. But when the time comes, they are both faced with the question whether to take their relationship a step higher, or remain as friends.
On moments when the film starts to shred its intricate details, the narrative musters an overwhelming heart-rending capacity—one that is most powerful when Coby and Ava’s struggles are placed on the spotlight. There is some level of refreshing lightness that populate the entire proceedings, and it’s comic efforts are effective enough to provide some balance, but it’s ultimately the natural chemistry that real-life couple, James and Nadine, has, that gives this film about fate and second chances, an unmissable appeal.
The script that Mel del Rosario wrote for the film may not be as strong as it aspires to be, but the simplistic approach that Naval derives to present the narrative, enables the film to deliver some irresistible charm. And while that simplicity deprives the narrative some thematic depth, the delivery itself, is enough to make “This Time”, James and Nadine’s most mature outing, yet.
RATING: 3/4 (JE)
4 – Terrific
3 – Good
2 – Tolerable
1 – Terrible
