Predictable and out of this world yet still, “Catch Me…I’m In Love” is one of the best feel good movies I’ve seen in recent years that will sensibly make you smile and twitch your heart in a good way.
The cinema was jam packed on its opening day; some people were even sitting in the carpeted stairs inside. Thankfully this movie didn’t disappoint. The success of any romantic comedy can only be attributed to one thing: CHEMISTRY! And I am telling everyone this movie is oozing full of that irresistible chemistry between Gerald and Sarah.
The first team-up of Gerald Anderson and Sarah Geronimo, “Catch Me…I’m In Love” tells the love story of a simple lass who’s working for an NGO (Helping Hands) dedicated in servicing kids of less fortunate families and those in remote areas of the country, and the spoiled, conceited son of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Opposing each other from the first time they met, Roan Sanchez (Geronimo) was tasked by the President (Christopher de Leon) to facilitate the immersion of his son, Erick Rodriguez (Anderson) to make him realize the value of government projects and servicing the country. And sooner, an unexpected attraction blossomed but will they be brave enough to fight for love amidst the complications of the vastness of extreme differences their worlds have?
You do not need a genius or the best film critique in town to tell you that this movie is predictable but there is something about this film that makes it very enjoyable and won’t waste a minute of your time. The rawness and authenticity of the script makes it so genuine and close to home. The premise of the movie is already out of this world as it is, a story you’ll dare say, it only happens in the movie. But Mel Mendoza del Rosario penned a script that made an out of this world love story so close to reality that it’s very relatable and believable as true. The last thing you would want for a formulaic rom-com is a script full of flowery and mushy lines. What I love about this movie is that it free us all of that tackiness and instead presented a love story that honest to goodness is a one in a million likelihood to happen in real life but with a script that is sincere, you have a cliché that looks and feels fresh. It also helps that the characterization of both main characters were both flawlessly solid and that’s just one of the best things to back up a plot of this genre.
For a movie that wrapped up shooting three days before its nationwide screening it is just commendable how Director Mae Cruz executed this movie. There was not much fanfare in each scene but trust me it worked and it made things in the movie as real as it can be. Cinematography is admirable and mind you editing was seamless. It was great!
Sarah Geronimo is not really fit for drama. This is the genre where she excels and you can tell that she’s already a pro in it. She’s just so natural and spontaneous. You can count on Toni Gonzaga in terms of spontaneity of humor in a romantic comedy movie but if eliciting that instinctive uncontainable feeling of kilig, that’s Sarah’s forte. I’m not really a fan of Sarah G. but she is very lovable here. There’s no point elaborating and talk like a broken record just how good-looking and HOT Gerald Anderson is. It’s too obvious that I adore every inch of the guy! Acting wise, I maintain my opinion that he’s one of the best actors of his generation. Next to John Lloyd Cruz he’s the best for me. The role of Erick Rodriguez is hands down perfect for him. I also have to say that one of the things I love about Gerald is that he can portray whole lots of versatile roles so convincingly. He can do kilig-kiligan like this one, he can be a drama actor, and he’s very good in action and that for me is an ACTOR. Trust me, no one can match the handsome vain, self-conceited, and over confident aura of appeal he exudes on screen the way he does.
Honestly, this is what I love about Star Cinema rom-coms, you know the formula: boy meets girl, they fall in love, then a complication arises, they break up for a while, they make up and end up living they’re happily ever after, but somehow they are able to present love stories of such typecast with rawness and sensibleness that will stir in you a realization of some sort. I am not saying “Catch Me…I’m In Love” is the best feel good movie of the year. I’m simply saying it’s worth your time and money.
It’s the feel good movie that will really make you feel good. And once in a while it’s great to feel that irrepressible kilig deep within. Most importantly this movie is a great reminder that we can choose a lot of things in this life but we can’t choose who our heart loves. Ultimately who determines our compatibility with the person we love is ours to make. Who cares what the world says when people will each have varied opinions. True love nowadays is such an elusive emotion bestowed to but a few of us and so you take it where you have it. You go for it and fight for it because at the end of the day, the opinion that matters the most in a relationship is the ones of those in it.
And when I say that this movie proves Sarah Geronimo and Gerald Anderson individually and together have the kilig down pat, it’s that someone my age, with my history of bad love, could actually still get kilig. Yes, kilig to the bones circa 1980s, complete with stomping foot, loud laughter, sinking into my movie seat, nudging elbows with my younger sister (ex-student now friend) beside me, in the end tired from the roller coaster ride that a two hour love story can still be. Kapagod pala kiligin. Some things I’ve forgotten.
In Catch Me I’m In Love, the kilig is difficult to ignore, as it carries what is an otherwise expected story through to its logical happy end. It’s also a surprisingly believable love between a girl and boy who are really only bound by country, and when I say that, I mean the government of the Philippines complete with scenes of Malacañang Palace.
Gerald plays Eric, presidential son, who’s unhappy with being in the Philippines and is sent by the President to a far away provincial community so he may learn of purpose. Eric is accompanied by Roanne (played by Sarah), an NGO worker who deals with nation from the grassroots level, a confident girl who inadvertently shoots down the presidential son at an awarding ceremony in her NGO. She is appointed by the President (Christopher de Leon) to be Eric’s mentor in living with a community he would otherwise not care about.
The rocky start is obvious, even more so in the context of impoverished Isabela: between waking up at 4 AM to walking long distances, Eric was beyond his comfort zones of clubbing, girls, the gym. Never mind, since all that would be forgotten by the time he comes home from Isabela and is in his words, “a better man” because of Roanne. She who challenged his spoiled boy sensibilities, pointed out in cliché terms the fact that what these children in impoverished communities need is time and attention, not money.
Eric was changed by the experience, Roanne was only in her turf. But Roanne’s intelligence and confident stance about nation was happening alongside her crisis as a girl, who wants to stand in front of a boy, and ask him to love her. This she will do at the end of the movie, but in the meantime she is just sad about her status as NBSB (no-boyfriend-since-birth to the unlearned in local pop culture), as she is teased by her three older brothers about it, as she is oblivious to the fact that the rapper neighbor Vito (played so well by Matteo Guidicelli) is trying to court her but doesn’t know how.
Suffice it to say that between Eric’s need to become a better presidential son, and Roanne’s dream (literally) of getting a love life, this movie set it up so it all seemed possible. It also speaks of NGO life and the nation it builds as wonderful, where changing the world begins with talking to people and knowing how they live — a great thing to see in a mainstream commercial movie.
It’s in this setting that the NGO worker and presidential son fall in love, without the trappings of the usual. After another trip where boy surprises girl in Isabela (that’s what I call going the distance), they come home to Roanne’s lower middle class family to tell them the truth: without the process of conventional courtship, they were now together (kami na, in the vernacular).
Which as it turns out is unacceptable to the general public who think Eric to be eligible bachelor, and who will make Roanne subject of tsismis, evil as that becomes: she doesn’t deserve him, she looks like a maid, it won’t last long. To add salt to wound, a socialite who is the complete opposite of Roanne in looks (Sam Pinto) enters the picture and makes like she’s out to win the presidential son. Now Sarah is no ugly girl, in fact she was overwhelmingly Pinay pretty in most the movie. But vis a vis the socialite and the trappings of a presidential dinner she pulls out that social class card and it just works.
In fact discomfort and insecurity is a game that Sarah plays well, and it’s in these moments of crisis that we see how she’s gotten better at acting, allowing us to forget her iconic character Laida Magtalas (her role opposite John Lloyd Cruz). In this movie, Sarah’s role as intelligent NGO worker comes in painful contradiction with the insecure girl-in-love, and when Roanne breaks down and breaks it off with Eric, Sarah proves a broken heart in real life does wonders for one’s acting.
Gerald meanwhile needs to get over the fact of his good looks, and into acting like it doesn’t matter. Because his role here is that of Fil-Am heartthrob, Gerald sometimes seems like he’s playing himself. Yet when he was an arrogant presidential son in the beginning, it actually worked; when he became the gentleman who would carry Roanne on his back because she had a sprained ankle, he knew to balance arrogance with machismo; when he became this boy who’s pushed against the wall by Roanne’s insecurities about herself that brings her to suggest they break up, Gerald’s helplessness as he asked “Kaya mo?” will melt your heart. And let you forget his abs.
Which is what there’s plenty of in this movie, generally un-needed since it’s done in relation to pagsasaka, and Sarah isn’t one to show some skin or have a kissing scene. If the goal was to establish Gerald’s, uh, hotness, then one scene with abs seems enough doesn’t it? Plus there are his good looks, which is used to the hilt in this film; and those eyes, the use of which Gerald has mastered.
Sarah meanwhile, has mastered this role of the lower middle class girl getting paired off with the rich guy, fulfilling the layers of impossibility in love. Now this isn’t a new role at all (think Judy Ann opposite Piolo Pascual, Marian Rivera opposite Dingdong Dantes), but it’s one that’s done only by Sarah in her age bracket. This is all fine, but maybe it’s time to give Sarah something she can sink her teeth into. After Laida and Roanne, it would do commercial audiences well to be shown a role that doesn’t peg Sarah to financial and emotional immobility because of love. Maybe a role that doesn’t put such a premium on the latter, and lets the intelligence and independence shine? Maybe a movie that stars as well that bunch of supporting characters who make for Star Cinema movies.
Ketchup Eusebio and Janus del Prado play two of Roanne’s brothers here. These two were not only comic relief, they point to the value of supporting characters that hold the main story up, and remind us of the travesties that surround the fact of star power in this country. That the infinitely talented Eusebio and del Prado are not starring in commercial films has become normal to us. That I dream for these two a bigger project, becomes possible given a star like Sarah, who I think will ably carry a film all her own, maybe with Eusebio and del Prado as (gay) friends to a Sarah without a big time love interest, if with love at all. Now that would be a powerful image, wouldn’t it. One that hasn’t been done before. Ah, the dreaming is what happens after the kilig.
PEP REVIEW: Catch Me...I'm In Love is a simple love story with a lot of heart Link
We've seen it happen in real life: Girls without suitors; family members picking on their "no-boyfriend-since-birth" status.
This is how Star Cinema and Viva Films established the story of Catch Me...I'm In Love, which pairs Sarah Geronimo and Gerald Anderson for the very first time.
Sarah, plays the role of Roan Sanchez, a plain Jane working as a social worker in Helping Hands, a non-profit organization.
Roan believes that "true love waits." She is the only girl in the Sanchez family— composed of brothers played by Ketchup Eusebio, Alchris Galura, and Janus del Prado—and is usually the center of attention.
Completing the Sanchez family are Joey Marquez and Arlene Muhlach who portray the parents who manage a flower shop.
On the other hand, Gerald Anderson plays the role of Erick Rodriguez, the president's son and tagged as the "most eligible bachelor in the country."
After completing his studies in the United States, he returns to the Philippines and girls go after him in a frenzy.
Christopher de Leon and Dawn Zulueta play the roles of president and first lady.
It is during an event organized by Helping Hands where Roan and Erick's paths cross and they fall in love.
There's really nothing remarkable about the plot. The movie is fast-paced and straightforward unlike most Tagalog films with a lot of drama and conflicts.
The characters, however, are wrought with personal issues, like Roan's insecurities and Erick's complicated relationship with his dad.
But love conquers all and the social worker ends up with the presidential son.
Sarah effortlessly conveys the emotions of a girl who falls in love for the first time, and she falls real hard.
Gerald, on the other hand, was convincing as the guy who falls for the girl way out of his league, and stays true to his feelings.
Expect: Cheesy lines, giggling and swooning in the theater.
Don't Miss: Matteo Guidicelli's rapping scene.
Please applaud: The movie's attempt to tackle social issues. The immersion scene in a provincial community is a heartwarming backdrop to the blossoming romance of Erick and Roan.
Catch Me...I'm In Love is showing in theaters nationwide starting today, March 23, 2011. It is directed by Mae Cruz and is graded B by the Cinema Evaluation Board.
Come to think of it, we never had a local rom-com involving a presidential child as one of the lead characters. Hollywood once had a thing for this when it released two movies, in the same year, depicting the highs and lows of a first daughter in love (Chasing Liberty starring Mandy Moore and First Daughter with a pre-Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes.) I guess it is easier for Americans to re-imagine such a situation because Chelsea Clinton literally grew up in the public’s eyes during the 8-year stretch of his Dad’s administration. Malacanang did experience a wedding when Jackie Estrada married Beaver Lopez, but Erap’s daughter is not exactly a teenager at that time. We never had a Chelsea Clinton moment in recent history unless you count Imee Marcos or Kris Aquino as possible counterparts. (In terms of controversies, Imee and Kris has no equal in the White House.) So it comes as a pleasant surprise that in the latest offering of Star Cinema, the lead male character is a presidential son. No. He is not patterned after the son from the past administration. (The closest we had was in For the First Time where Richard Gutierrez played the son of a vice president. However, the movie focused more on KC Concepcion and the Greek island Santorini, so it never really explored his situation.) When Gerald Anderson stepped out as the presidential son Enrique Rodriguez III with Christopher De Leon as the president as the president and Dawn Zulueta as his wife, I wondered if it will work. And if the latest pairing of Gerald and Sarah Geronimo has on-screen magic.
Erick Rodriguez (Anderson) is the only son of the president of the Philippines (De Leon) who came back from the United States as ordered by his father. You see, Erick is a feckless kid and his Dad felt that he needs to do something substantial as part of his legacy-building going into his last year in the office. One day, Erick had to represent his mother (Zulueta) for the anniversary of Helping Hands, a non-governmental organization. There he met Roan Sanchez (Geronimo), a social worker. To say the least, their first meeting was a bit awkward. Word reach the president of his son’s encounter with the feisty social worker and he came up with a brilliant idea: appointing Roan as Erick’s supervisor for his first immersion. He told his son that if he passes this test then he can go back to the U.S. Begrudgingly, he went with Roan in Isabela where he had to live with the townspeople. Something must have hit right for liking the immersion and loving Roan. Finally, Erick and Roan made their budding romance official during an unplanned return to Isabela. But personal insecurities and public disapproval soon rock the beautiful relationship of the dashing presidential son and the charming social worker.
It is unfair to compare this movie with Sarah Geronimo’s blockbusters with John Lloyd Cruz. Gerald is not yet in the JLCB: John Lloyd Cruz Bracket. Actually, no one falls under that elusive club but Lloydie. Still, Gerald acquitted himself well in his first post-Kim Chiu project. Sarah, on the other hand, has perfected the bumbling, no-girlfriend-since-birth, blithe girl who transforms the selfish, snobbish rich cutie. She is a rom-com sub-genre on her own. Sarah and Gerald has the required chemistry and credit goes to the very natural Ms. Geronimo. Her giggles (“Nag-iiba ang boses ko.) and one-liners (“Parang kanina lang ‘di mo ako girlfriend.) are delightful and spot-on. The problem is that the movie bogged down in the second half. When the story shifted back to Manila, the ideal and idyllic blossoming romance in Isabela dissipated. As one moviegoer commented last night, “Mas maganda noong nasa Isabela sila.” See? Even the usual fans of these movies felt the change. (I also breathed a sigh of relief that the usual product placements were limited to just one per actor, myPhone for Sarah and Milo for Gerald. Is it too much to ask to stop product placements in movies?)
One cannot fault the filmmakers from taking a page from other successful rom-coms as its influences in the final product is quite obvious. Spoilers ahead.
Influence 1: Notting Hill
Aside from the celebrity-falls-for-the-mere-mortal angle, the last scene where Roan had to prevent Erick from leaving during a press conference is reminiscent of the Julia Roberts hit. It did not however, happen in actual press conference and instead came up with a different take.
Influence 2: Forevermore
You still remember this movie starring love team partners Kristine Hermosa and Jericho Rosales? The one that has gleaming mangoes whenever true love prevails? Check out the scene where Erick asked Roan to be his girlfriend with a little from children. Moments before this scene, I had a feeling that the movie will go Forevermore on me. It did!
Another rom-com staple are the entertaining supporting cast that lifts an uneven rom-com from further doldrums. Luckily, Catch Me I’m in Love (And is it also too much to ask to change this habit of using song revivals for movie titles?!) has several scene-stealing and sincere actors. Let me just note that Matteo Guidicelli’s role, regardless of his prominence in the promotional poster, does not have much bearing on the plot. Ditto for Sam Pinto. I think Ms. Pinto is stunning but bland. She just does not have the MRE: Maricar Reyes Effect. Then there’s Christopher De Leon. Several critics have noted his diminishing acting returns as he seems to prefer the over-the-top performance in his recent movies like Philip Salvador. He still took that route albeit lesser than the usual. All is not lost though as the comebacking Dawn Zulueta demonstrated once again that is not the role but the actor that matters. Bless her soul! (It is also commendable that class differences were not exploited and instead limited it to awkward situations such as social and dining faux pas to present the difference between Roan and Erick.) Even the likes of Joey Marquez, Arlene Mulach (as Roan’s parents) and the ever-reliable Ketchup Eusebio (as one of Roan’s brothers) kept the rom-com juice flowing. On that positive note, I will discuss the most important reason for watching this movie: Janus Del Prado.
As a member of the still unestablished Janus Del Prado Fans Club, I believe that it is high-time he receives his break for his consistent scene-stealing performances in all his movies. If his possible break necessitates a love team partner then I suggest Allyzon Lualhati, the Eugene Domingo of the Millennial Generation. Both stars have thrive doing supporting roles of all sorts of characters. But Del Prado seems to be relishing his present career and does not mind his second tier status. Lead or not, the Janus Del Prado Fans Club remains behind this gifted thespian.
Catch Me…I’m in Love is predictable and that is a no brainer. The plot is loose and simple, it looked like the other Sarah films. Her role, seemed like a rip off from Laida Magtalas, a modern day lass who now works in an NGO called “Helping Hands”, a woman with high ideals about romance wishing that she’ll meet the man of her dreams someday.
The acting is good, and when good I mean it’s not dry, like everything is raw and believable. I believe Sarah’s acting went off naturally for her role. People are like, used of seeing her with that very Maria Clara image and she’s good on it.I just hope that she’ll do more challenging roles in the future and I hope that her Mom won’t mess up with the films she’ll make someday.
In case you didn’t know, it was reported that the shooting of Catch Me…I’m in Love was delayed on no end due to Mommy Divine’s (Sarah’s Mom) intervention.
Well anyway, about Gerald Anderson on the film. He’s really good on his piece. His acting is impressive but his role is somehow not challenging at all. He’s hot and that made the girls around scream crazy as hell. But his heavy built and mature looks is more appropriate on action movies. Hehe. .
What’s so good about the movie is that it gives you this kilig feeling like no other films can do. It’s very raw, it’s very natural. If I could only elaborate the feeling of kilig this post might not end at all. Basta! Kaka-kilig.
The other casts, Christopher De Leon, Dawn Zueleta, Joey Marquez, Arlene Muhlach, Janus Del Prado, Charrie Pineda gave their best performances too. Everything seemed fine on the acting but like other films the movie has flaws too!
Oh! I almost forgot the other actor who’s on the poster. Well, Matteo had an ideal role but it’s just that they didn’t seem to explore on it more. His role was a bit unnecessary, he didn’t look good tanned on the big screen and the rapping in awkward accent is so not funny. Nonetheless, I’m still excited about his movie “BASTED“.
Another thing, they should have let us see how the private plane flew or landed. It irked me, like did they just magically flew back and forth?
The last scene – OH! not again? I remember the last scene of You Changed My Life where Sarah went chasing against time to see her love and tell her what she realized. It happened again!
Sorry for the spoilers, the movie will be out in theaters(literally) by the time I’ll post this and the dvd might come out a month after so there’s no harm in spoiling. lol. What you should be on the look for is the kissing scene – if there is? I couldn’t tell.
Overall, Catch Me…I’m in love is a sweet kilig account that will make you smile up to the end – it’s a feel good movie afterall!
I’m giving Catch Me I’m in Love. . .3/5
Predictable and yet , “Catch Me…I’m In Love” is one of the nice, feel good movies I’ve seen in recent years that will sensibly make you smile and twitch your heart in a good way.
At first I was a little hesitant to watch this movie since I am having doubts if Sarah G. and Gerald A. has any chemistry in them but when I get to watch the movie, well, Sarah G. is the most charming actress I’ve watched ever, she can be paired up to any actor and manage to make the people “kilig” whoever that actor may be just like what happen with John Lloyd Cruz, now I am beginning to wonder who’s the next lucky actor that can be paired to Sarah G. and can still manage to hit the box office surveys.
The first team-up of Gerald Anderson and Sarah Geronimo, “Catch Me…I’m In Love” tells the love story of a simple girl who’s working for an NGO (Helping Hands) dedicated in servicing kids of less fortunate families and those in remote areas of the country, and the spoiled, conceited son of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Opposing each other from the first time they met, Roan Sanchez (Geronimo) was tasked by the President (Christopher de Leon) to facilitate the immersion of his son, Erick Rodriguez (Anderson) to make him realize the value of government projects and servicing the country. And sooner, an unexpected attraction blossomed but will they be brave enough to fight for love amidst the complications of the vastness of extreme differences their worlds have?
You do not need a genius or the best film critique in town to tell you that this movie is predictable but there is something about this film that makes it very enjoyable and won’t waste a minute of your time. The rawness and authenticity of the script makes it so genuine and close to home. The premise of the movie is already out of this world as it is, a story you’ll dare say, it only happens in the movie. But Mel Mendoza del Rosario penned a script that made an out of this world love story so close to reality that it’s very relatable and believable as true. The last thing you would want for a formulaic rom-com is a script full of flowery and mushy lines. What I love about this movie is that it free us all of that tackiness and instead presented a love story that honest to goodness is a one in a million likelihood to happen in real life but with a script that is sincere, you have a cliché that looks and feels fresh. It also helps that the characterization of both main characters were both flawlessly solid and that’s just one of the best things to back up a plot of this genre.
For a movie that wrapped up shooting three days before its nationwide screening it is just commendable how Director Mae Cruz executed this movie. There was not much fanfare in each scene but trust me it worked and it made things in the movie as real as it can be. Cinematography is admirable and mind you editing was seamless. It was great!
Sarah Geronimo is not really fit for drama. This is the genre where she excels and you can tell that she’s already a pro in it. She’s just so natural and spontaneous. You can count on Toni Gonzaga in terms of spontaneity of humor in a romantic comedy movie but if eliciting that instinctive uncontainable feeling of kilig, that’s Sarah’s forte. There’s no point elaborating and talk like a broken record just how good-looking and HOT Gerald Anderson is. It’s too obvious that I adore every inch of the guy! Acting wise, I maintain my opinion that he’s one of the best actors of his generation. Next to John Lloyd Cruz he’s the best for me. The role of Erick Rodriguez is hands down perfect for him. I also have to say that one of the things I love about Gerald is that he can portray whole lots of versatile roles so convincingly. He can do kilig-kiligan like this one, he can be a drama actor, and he’s very good in action and that for me is an ACTOR. Trust me, no one can match the handsome vain, self-conceited, and over confident aura of appeal he exudes on screen the way he does.
Honestly, this is what I love about Star Cinema rom-coms, you know the formula: boy meets girl, they fall in love, then a complication arises, they break up for a while, they make up and end up living they’re happily ever after, but somehow they are able to present love stories of such typecast with rawness and sensibleness that will stir in you a realization of some sort. I am not saying “Catch Me…I’m In Love” is the best feel good movie of the year. I’m simply saying it’s worth your time and money.
It’s the feel good movie that will really make you feel good. And once in a while it’s great to feel that irrepressible kilig deep within. Most importantly this movie is a great reminder that we can choose a lot of things in this life but we can’t choose who our heart loves. Ultimately who determines our compatibility with the person we love is ours to make. Who cares what the world says when people will each have varied opinions. True love nowadays is such an elusive emotion bestowed to but a few of us and so you take it where you have it. You go for it and fight for it because at the end of the day, the opinion that matters the most in a relationship is the ones of those in it.
Sarah Geronimo has definitely mastered the art of the Filipina romantic. In Catch Me... I'm In Love, she effortlessly pulls off the "I've never had a boyfriend ever, but I'm willing to wait it out" schtick. This time she's paired with Gerald Anderson, who is also a veteran on these romances from Star Cinema.
I guess it's the pairing of these young stars that makes the tired plot of "girl who ends up with the most eligible bachelor in the city" seem a little fresh. There's really nothing in the story that most viewers have not seen before in a rom-com-- except that there's a sever lack of humor in this movie. Also, romantic sparks are thinly spread in the movie that will disappoint a lot of the viewers.
I also want to take this chance to call out Star Cinema. In the theater I watched the film, the ticket price was much higher than most movies (by 50%!). Yes, this is the only Filipino movie showing right now and being the only show in town means you're a virtual monopoly (thus able to dictate the price as you please).
For a movie with no originality and only a few genuine "kilig" (romantic/warm,fuzzy) moments, Catch Me... I'm In Love qualifies as a rip-off by my standards. But since it stars Sarah Geronimo and Gerald Anderson, and it's the only local movie showing in the major cinemas, this is the movie we Filipinos deserve and will queue up for.
Catch Me I'm in Love - Movie Review (English) Link
WE’RE HAPPY for Sarah Geronimo as her “Catch Me, I’m In Love” is a hit. She has proven that it’s not just her films with John Lloyd Cruz that can be a hit. “Catch Me” will remind you of Julia Roberts’ “Notting Hill” where she played a big movie star who falls in love with a simple guy, Hugh Grant, with the roles reversed. Here, it’s Sarah as Roan who’s a simple girl working with a non-government organization called Helping Hands. Her big secret crush is Gerald Anderson as Eric, the irresponsible, carefree son of the president of our country no less. They meet at her office when Eric represented his mom, the First Lady. It’s a cute meet with Sarah bumping her head on the glass door then making a snide comment against Gerald that he hears. She was then called to Malacanang and she thought she’d be scolded by the President who, in fact, wants to get her to be in charge of Eric’s immersion program to make him a more responsible person. It’s easy to see na ito that this will be the chance for them to fall in love with each other. Roan takes Eric in the province where she does volunteer work. As expected, they are at odds at the start. Eric doesn’t even know how to cross a hanging bridge. In the rice fields, he slips and falls into the mud then pulls Roan into it also for a cute “kilig” moment where Gerald takes off his shirt to display his buff torso. Soon, he’s asking Roan: “Will you be my girlfriend?”
They go steady, but it’s not the typical Pinoy love story with villains. Eric’s parents quickly accept Roan and even one possible contravida, Nicole (Sam Pinto), turns out to be harmless. The main conflict here is internal: it’s Roan’s fears and insecurities that their relationship won’t work after she heard people saying “Hindi sila bagay sa isa’t isa.” But in the end, she realizes she loves Eric so much and she doesn’t really care what people would say. The ending where Sarah gatecrashes in the presscon of Gerald as he’s about to leave for abroad is borrowed from the ending of “Notting Hill”. Another comic scene, the dinner where Sarah doesn’t know how to eat escargot (snail) is also taken from Julia Roberts’ “Pretty Woman”.
In all fairness to Sarah, even if her scenes were copied from Hollywood films, she was able to carry them all with aplomb. She’s a natural comedian who’s very charming in her hilarious scenes but she also handles her dramatic scenes well, particularly that farewell scene she had with Gerald at the Manila Hotel grounds. Gerald also shows that he can act well (he already did in “Till My Heartaches End”), aside from the fact he looks every inch a heartthrob leading man. He certainly proves he can be on his own and not just identified with his love team with Kim Chiu.
Star Cinema really supported them with Christopher de Leon and Dawn Zulueta no less as Gerald’s parents and with Joey Marquez and Almira Muhlach as Sarah’s parents. No doubt, this movie’s intention is to just make kilig the viewers and Director Mae Cruz definitely succeeds in her intentions. Cathy Molina now has a rival in making rom-coms of this sort that is lifeblood of Star Cinema.
Watched the latest Star Cinema and Viva Films team-up movie Catch Me…I’m In Love with my brother Danison last night at the Premier Cinema of Mall of Asia. I didn’t intend to see it but my brother offered to get me a ticket so I acquiesced. My brother is a big Sarah Geronimo fan and based on his facial expression after watching the movie, I could tell he had a great time. As for me, I think it’s safe to say that I liked it. If it were otherwise, this review wouldn’t have been here in the first place.
Directed by Mae Czarina Cruz, Catch Me…I’m in Love is a light, rom-com film that centers on the lives of two young adults searching for that something that could complete their existence. For Roan Sanchez (Sarah Geronimo), it’s finding that one, true love. For Eric Rodriguez (Gerald Anderson), it’s learning how to appreciate his life and those of other people around him. The two would fall in love but conflict would arise to try to break their special bond. It was up to them to fight for their love despite the odds, or not.
It’s undeniable that Sarah Geronimo and Gerald Anderson had chemistry. It showed in the entirety of the movie. Geronimo’s infectious laughter and youthful vibe combined with Anderson’s hot looks and superb acting were a sure fire formula for an enjoyable cinematic treat. They were both effective in playing their roles. There were a lot of cute lines from the cast that would either make you smile, giggle or even holler with laughter. All this and the two lead stars’ showing of genuine affection for each other gave the movie a high entertainment value.
Cinematography was good, too. The lighting was done in such a way that the lead stars would look fairer and more flawless. Fast-paced as it may seem, the scenes were played wonderfully in solid hues and with good backdrops. I particularly liked the scenes in the rural areas where Roan and Eric had their immersion.
The plot was predictable, yes, but it was refreshing to see new and familiar faces that worked together to deliver their lines well and contribute to the film’s effectivity and overall, bankable packaging. Matteo Guidicelli‘s character as Roan’s friend and secret admirer was lacking in depth and development, though. He could have posed a love triangle with the two lead stars and this would have added color to the story. (At least that’s what I think the movie poster above was trying to tell me.) But I guess the director only wanted to focus on a single conflict. That is, to establish initial insecurity in Geronimo’s character so that she would question the validity of her first romantic relationship and her love for Anderson’s character and eventually give up on the blossoming romance. Or maybe, the developments in the movie unfolded a little too fast there was barely enough time to inject the love triangle aspect. But at least the viewers would know about Guidicelli’s character’s true feelings for Roan at one point in the movie. That scene you should watch out for, otherwise you won’t know about it at all.
Acting wise, the cast did well. Expect funny antics coming from Roan’s family and casual and serious acting from Eric’s side of the fence. The ending happening in an open, public space is a given as it’s always been a characteristic of many Star Cinema movies.
All in all, Catch Me…I’m in Love is a light, feel-good movie. The kind that will leave you with a light, happy feeling after watching. No need for strong analytic skills or anything, just watch it to be entertained, see your fave local stars on the big screen and get reminded that indeed, true love waits.
When my Cable Channel 509 (TFC) announced another Star Cinema presentation is going to be held in Calgary, I knew exactly it will be their latest flicker movie “Catch Me – I’m In Love”. Starring Gerald Anderson and Sarah Geronimo, the movie was a tester to see how the public will take on a new tandem. I should say I am an avid showbiz fan so I myself was curious as to how the new partnership will work in an industry whose fanfare was a major contributor to the success of a so-called ‘Love Team”. Lo and behold, the duo was well-accepted with flying colors.
My friends and I called each other and arranged to watch it on its first day of showing. Surprisingly, the movie is up for a two-week run as opposed to the previous Filipino movies that only ran for a week. The earlier showing of 6:45 PM was sold out. Made me realized, must be good alright. A 45 minute-wait time at the box office did not deter me from backing up.
As the movie began, I started being home sick again. With the familiar sight of a typical neighborhood in Metro Manila, the location takes you back to the “back home” feeling. Shoot mostly in Caloocan City, and some in the Province of Isabela, the movie was trailing a feel good sensation already.
The story line evolved in the “heaven and earth”, “water and oil”, and simply put in, “rich and poor” scenario. Many believe those two don’t meet “tete-a-tete” in the realm of life. I personally loved the way the flow went through as to how love can truly develop in the most unexpected places and times. The romantic knuckles and chuckles that brought the “kilig factor” to the entire movie was not a set-back but in fact made the movie lively at all times. I am glad there were only very few shots on super duper tear-jerker parts as the movie was almost all about bringing out the fun in romance.
The showcase of young & veteran talents in the movie was well blended in. I personally like the wacky and comedic characters that Al Tantay and Arlene Mulach played, & with the equally wackos sons headed by Ketchup Eusebio, the team was a big blast. Upcoming and budding actor Mateo Guticielli (oops..hope I spelled it right), was funny in playing korky and nuthead whose secret admiration to the main character added just a bit of spice. Although typecast as a very serious actors, the roles played by Dawne Zuelueta and the “Famas award winner” Christopher de Leon were pretty light as they did not deliver any heavy lines in the movie. But surely, the couple made justice to their characters as President and First Lady.
Another flick, another stint… another season of a movie hit. Watch out for the next offering in the big box office . That’s all I can say folks!
Day after day I must face a world of strangers
Where I don't belong, I'm not that strong
It's nice to know that there's someone I can turn to
Who will always care, you're always there
When there's no getting over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you
So many times when the city seems to be without a friendly face
A lonely place
It's nice to know that you'll be there if I need you
And you'll always smile, it's all worthwhile
When there's no getting over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you
Touch me and I end up singing
Troubles seem to up and disappear
You touch me with the love you're bringing
I can't really lose when you're near ... when you're near my love
If all my friends have forgotten half their promises
They're not unkind, just hard to find noypistuff
One look at you and I know that I could learn to live
Without the rest, I found the best Oooooooh
When there's no getting over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you
Without You
Won't last a day without you...
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