Movie No. 19 (2015): THAT THING CALLED TADHANA

That Thing Called Tadhana (2014)
Director: Antoinette Jadaone
Cast: Angelica Panganiban, JM De Guzman

"Where do broken hearts go?" seems to be the question that the movie tries to answer as we follow Mace who meets Anthony at the airport in Italy on their way to Manila. Devastated from a recent break-up with her boyfriend, Mace goes with  Anthony to Baguio, then Sagada, and Bontoc to "move on."

The movie is not a love story. 

Angelica Panganiban and JM De Guzman i an early scene in "Tadhana"

Some people I know who don't like the movie expect the movie to be in the same league as the formulaic romance comedies that are loaded with 'kilig' moments and of contrived circumstances that will keep the lead characters apart, triumphing against obstacles, and find each other again to kiss, make-up, and live happily ever after. In my opinion, they're missing the point.

I like the movie very much in the same way I liked Linklater's Before Sunrise. I'm not saying That This Called Tadhana is the Pinoy version of Before Sunrise. The only thing that makes the two movies similar is the way both movies tell the story using only two characters who seem to be talking and interacting endlessly. In the end, we get the whole point.

Angelica Panganiban efforts in giving life to the Mace character is outstanding. JM De Guzman who, most of the time, just reacts with everything Mace says and does, perfectly fits the Anthony character. The luggage/baggage metaphor is well placed in the script. The movie itself is a welcome departure from tiresome romantic comedies whose only aim is to rake money from the box office. But I'm glad that when this movie was released commercially some weeks ago, it grossed more than 100 M in two weeks.

Rating: 3.5/4.0

Date seen: February 25, 2015