With Star Cinema being the biggest Film Company in the Philippines that also holds the highest grossing movies of today, it is without a doubt that their opening salvo for their 20th Anniversary --- Four Sisters and A Wedding is one movie you must not miss.
THE STORY.
The movie started when Reb-reb, the youngest of the Salazar siblings announced that he is getting married. Being the baby of the family, this alarmed all his sisters. They all went home as per Cj's request because the wedding will happen in two weeks.
The "pamamanhikan" with the Ba-yags happened the next day and this prompted the sisters to plan for their baby brother's rescue.
These events led them into realizing each other's shortcomings, flaws and misunderstandings. They realized that they have grown apart and that they have issues within the family all hidden in the closet for so many years.
THE SALAZAR SIBLINGS.
THEODORA GRACE "Teddie" SALAZAR
Tony Gonzaga's role is somewhat tailored fit for her. Most of the first-born, if not all can easily relate from struggles to insecurities up to the issues that would fall on her lap as the first Ate of the Salazars. All first born feel they are to take responsibility for their siblings.
I am a first born and it struck me when she said the lines "KUNG GANUN, WAG NYA TAYO ITRATONG EMPLEYADO, AKO PA DIN ANG PANGANAY DITO. " her sarcasm, her raw humor and how she handled the whole character is amazing.
Her breakdown is outstanding yet heart breaking. Kudos Toni! She's one of the reasons why your head will ache because of the fast switching of crying to laughing.
ROBERTA OLIVIA "Bobbie" SALAZAR
Bea Alonzo for me is like the modern-day spelling of the DRAMA Genre. Tears will just fall in a snap. Her character taps your hidden pain. You will just say "ouch may ganun akong naramdaman noon".
Bobbie is the achiever among the siblings and the most hated because of her straight-forward and in-your-face brutal opinions. But its all true. We always have this evil sibling who just tells you the truth yet you hate them because the truth they are telling hurts you. Her breakdown is a must watch too. I guarrantee that this will bring you to tears. Well, aside from the tears that Toni will bring you unexpectedly.
ALEXANDRA CAMILLE "Alex" SALAZAR
Alex reminds me so much of myself. The love for the arts, always broke, with no direction at all (ok enough of the pity-party! Haha)
Angel Locsin surprisingly pulled a different kind of comic relief here. Funny at this scene and hurting in the next. In the story, Alex had an unfinished issue with Bobbie played by Bea Alonzo. Relating it again with pinoy families, issues of the heart within siblings are no longer new and unusual in today's setting. Their confrontation was whoah! They matched each other's grit. Galing!
As for some who felt like Alex has small exposure, I can say that her character also took a full circle from confrontation, patawaran scene and wrapping it up with Mocha / Chad / Salazar Siblings. Great balancing direk!! :)
GABRIELLA SOPHIA "Gabbie" SALAZAR
Shaina Magdayao has this way of making a character count without much to say. Glad she was picked as Gabbie.
Gabbie's struggle is not the lovelife part. In the first part of the story, their Mom was persuading her to get Masters abroad. I remember Ms. Coney's lines "you always use us as an excuse". Each parent know the capacity of their child if they can do more and achieve more. That was the conflict between Gabbie and their Mama. She feels responsible all the time.
In current settings there will always be a sibling who will cook for all, do chores for all and are left to take care of the aging parents. That is the importance of Gabbie's character. The latter part of the movie was really touching and it made me very thankful of my old maid aunts who sacrificed love and spent their future with us, taking care of the family.
Gabbie is not a small role at all.
CARLOS JOSE "Cj" aka "Reb-reb" SALAZAR
If you are to pick a kapamilya actor who perfectly fits Cj's character --- charming, loveable, baby brother-type, innocent, who can match the acting levels of the biggest kapamilya actresses, charming (oh I can't stop :), disarming (oh enough! Too biased) who would it be?
Enchong Dee is dee man perfect for the role. Period. His Man-boy appeal makes you want to side with the sisters in stopping the wedding and then feeling embarrassed for what you did on the next. His character made his sisters realize that their baby brother is no longer a baby.
This movie made me feel like he's my brother too :) young but matured in thinking. His confrontation scene with the sisters is a revelation. Imagine you need to level your acting with Toni, Bea, Shaina and Angel with intense grit and anger! He passed the scene with flying colors. Enchong, you make me proud :)
And if in any case some of you didn't know the origin of his nickname Reb-reb, its from Rebisco :) subtly cute :)
GRACE SALAZAR
Ms. Connie Reyes nailed the matriarch role. Her breakdown made me cry even more.
FRODO TEODORO
Janus has always been my favorite character actor may it be comedy or drama. He delivers very well. He's cute for Toni.
TRISTAN HARRIS
Who wouldn't want Sam Milby as a boyfriend? He's a perfect match for Bea here. His American accent is oh so sexy.
TRIXIE
This cutie is like an ingredient wherein a scene won't finish without some of the lines that would come from her. So cute.
TOTI MARIE
In some extended families we share secrets with our cousins, plan something with our household which no one from the oldies must know. I felt these with Toti Marie.
MANANG
Being the soundboard of the Salazar matriarch, manang speaks the words that their Mom can't. She is the silent witness of the family in all of its happenings.
THE BA-YAGS
BUBOY / ANGELINE QUINTO / CARMI MARTIN
The Ba-yags added full color in the story. Scenes that include them doesn't just go unnoticed.
SCENES TO WATCH OUT FOR
Actually, I love almost all the scenes but you must not miss the following:
THE SANDWICH CLUB
The start of the movie. Cute kiddos portraying the salazar sisters.
PAMAMANHIKAN - Carmi Martin's entrance and actually everything about Carmi is to watch out for. She still remains to be the sexiest and funniest comedian for me from the 80s until now.
CJ's STAG PARTY
I find this cute. Enchong, Sam and Janus are sooo cute here.
THE BOBBIE SONG
It comes as a surprise but i love the scene and the way it was revealed.
CJ vs FOUR SISTERS
So intense! You will have Cj's sympathy after and Alex will make you laugh after that confrontation scene.
THE CHARADES with BA-YAGS & SALAZARS
The subtle "parinigan" durin the game is so funny. This scene leads to the unstoppable rollercoaster ride of emotions that will leave you crying for minutes! Ready your tissues.
THE SALAZAR RESBAK
Want to know how amazona Alex can be? Watch out for this!
THE WEDDING
This came as a surprise. Hold on to that twist.
THE BLOOPERS
Its Direk Cathy's trademark already. Those bloopers that will make you sit, up to the last credit.
THE WRITER
I have long been a fan of Ms. Vanessa Valdez. Her works really show the reality may it be painful or funny. The characters and the story relatable for different people, for different familes, people in all walks of life. From YOU ARE THE ONE, ONE MORE CHANCE, SUDDENLY ITS MAGIC and THE MISTRESS, I love it!
THE DIRECTOR
Direk Cathy has always been making films that struck me straight to the heart, making me laugh and cry at the same time. I love YOU ARE THE ONE, MY ONLY YOU and the JLC-SARAH TRILOGY, MY AMNESIA GIRL, UNOFFICIALLY YOURS and the list goes on :) :) and now this. Her tandem with Ms. Vanessa Valdez is always a box office hit, think of ONE MORE CHANCE :) I wish I could work with you in the future!
50 YEARS OF REBISCO
Star Cinema's number one sponsor for this film is Rebisco -- also celebrating its 50 years of love and sharing with the Filipino family.
I love Rebisco and Star Cinema. The movie started with a unique scene with Rebisco branding yet not in-your-face advertising. The product blended well in the story. Not even mentioned but you feel its presence have carried their family in years. Hope it would be the same for future sponsors as well :)
THE SALAZARS ON TWITTER
Way before the movie was shown, i felt a certain connection between the characters just by reading their tweets. Thank you to the writers and to the think-tanks behind these twitter accounts.
AD & PROMO
Of course kudos to Sir Roxy Liquigan and Sir Mico del Rosario for the greater push on this movie. I know that with no promo this movie will still earn millions because of the big cast but their efforts made this movie earn millions in just days. Great team!
In the end, this movie teaches us that if there are people who can love us unconditionally, it would be our own family. Forget about being perfect, forget about bein the coolest or even the brightest and the richest. Our family will love us perfectly for who we are and who we may become. They are forever behind you in everything you do. They are always there waiting for you to come back home with open arms, ready to give you the warmest and the tightest hug to last a lifetime. :)
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