GRADE A ang ibinigay ng Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) at Rated PG naman mula sa Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) para sa hugot movie ni Direk Joel Ferrer na Elise, na pinagbibidahan nina Enchong Dee at Janine Gutierrez, handog ng Regal Entertainment, na mapapanood na ngayong Miyerkules, Pebrero 6.
Inspired story ang Elise, base na rin sa kuwento ni Direk Joel, na totoong may ganu’n karakter sa buhay niya. Noong sulatin niya ang kuwento ay sobrang in love siya. Gayunman, hindi na sinagot ng direktor kung nasaan na ang babaeng bida sa sariling love story niyang ito.
Sa madaling sabi, blast from the past ang takbo ng Elise na ang setting ay 80’s.
Anyway, nakakaaliw ang kuwento ni Elise dahil sinimulan ito noong bata pa sila, at kung paano nagkalapit ang karakter nina Enchong at Janine hanggang sa nagkahiwalay sila.
Ang tagline ng Elise ay ‘first love is beautiful hurt’, na totoo naman, dahil pakiramdam ni Enchong ay first love niya si Janine as Elise, at labis siyang nasaktan nang magkahiwalay sila.
Hanggang sa muli silang nagkita nang pareho silang nasa kolehiyo na, pero hindi na pagmamay-ari ni Enchong si Janine, dahil may boyfriend na ang dalaga, at mahal na mahal nito kahit na niloloko siya.
At para makalimot, pinagbuti ni Enchong ang pag-aaral at nagtapos with honors, hanggang sa muling magtagpo ang landas nila ni Elise, na single na sila pareho, kaya naging sila na.
Kaya lang muli na namang nawala si Elise sa buhay ni Enchong, at ‘yan ang dapat panoorin kung bakit.
Kailangang umpisahan ang pelikula para hindi maligaw sa takbo ng kuwento. At sure kami na mag-e-enjoy ang lahat dahil hindi naman ito heavy drama, kundi light lang. Hindi rin hard sell ang comedy ni Direk Joel dito, huh.
Ngayon lang namin napanood si Victor Anastacio sa comedy, at bentang-benta siya sa amin. Malayo siya sa napapanood naming Victor tuwing madaling araw sa O Shopping.
Sakto ang Elise na pre-Valentine’s Day at Chinese New Year offering ng Regal Entertainment.
Samantala, pawang magaganda ang rebyu sa Elise.
Reaksiyon ng Pelikula-Hype Manila: “Charming, funny, heartwarming. The treatment feels like those Oscars-nominated biopics: they put details on the characters that will definitely stay in you after watching it.”
Entertainment writer and columnist Jun Lalin wrote: “In fairness, maganda at walang inip factor, showing na sa February 6!”
My Movie World said: “All I can say is I love how the film aims to separate itself from other love stories using its humor and chemistry of its leads, both of which are good. Kudos for Regal in bringing this black comedy w/ romance that everyone can relate to!”
Another blogger wrote: “Director Joel Ferrer rises to the challenge of making a love story that is not overly melodramatic by making many moments feel relatable and charming.
“Surprising standout performances deserving of future stardom by Miel Espinosa and Krystal Brimner.
“Enchong Dee and Janine Gutierrez plays Bert and Elise respectively with savviness while showcasing some cute and charming chemistry.
“The relaxing tone of nostalgia of innocent childhood and love of the 80s and 90s is convincingly replicated.
“Victor Anastacio’s Gian is a comic relief character that has genuinely funny moments.
“A restrained comedic style provides a refreshing change of pace from most local comedy movies.”
Meanwhile, another reviewer wrote: “Totoo nga ang sabi nina Enchong, Janine and Direk Joel na kakaibang kuwento ng first love ito na isinapelikula, pero may kahawig itong totoong kuwento rin noong nasa high school kami.”
Kasama rin sa pelikula sina Miko Raval, Miel Espinosa, Krystal Brimner, Jackie Lou Blanco, Pilita Corrales, Erin Ocampo, Archie Adamos, Allan Paule, Andrea Del Rosario at introducing naman sina Victor Anastacio, at Laura Lehmann.
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-REGGEE BONOAN