Movie Review: Must Be Love

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[Another Long Overdue review...Sorry. :')]

Another most-awaited film of 2013 is the launching movie of one of the hottest love teams in Philippine Showbiz - Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla (or KathNiel) - titled "Must Be... Love". The movie is directed by regular MMK director/former headwriter and Princess and I director Dado Lumibao, produced by Star Cinema. The movie was shot in Cebu. The movie also stars John Lapus, Arlene Muhlach, Cacai Bautista and John Estrada, and the movie also introduces Liza Soberano - a member of Star Magic Circle 2013.

The story is about Patricia Espinosa or "Patchot" (Bernardo) and Ivan Martinez (Padilla). Patchot starts falling in love with her bestfriend, but unfortunately, Ivan only sees her as "tropa", as she thinks. And then her cousin, Angel, comes back from the States and meets Ivan, and they instantly fell in love.

The movie itself used an already old formula of Philippine romance movies - girl falling in love with her bestfriend - as seen in the 90s film "Wala Na Bang Pag-ibig" and Star Cinema 2010 Film "Paano Na Kaya" (incidentally, the films also starred the hottest love teams of their times - Angelu De Leon and Bobby Andrews for Wala Na Bang Pag-ibig & Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson for Paano Na Kaya). However, Must Be Love was more of a romantic comedy type, and its twists and turns are quite different from the said movies as well.

The cast portrayed their characters very well. John Estrada's domineering but cool father character fits him, and this character brings him back from his usual comic roles - a far cry from his A Beautiful Affair's Edward. Arlene Muhlach and Cacai Bautista provided the comic feel for the movie. Their storyline as beauticians fighting is relevant to the story as it built Patricia's transformation from a boyish girl to a pretty lady.John Lapus had a change of character this time, playing a former beautician who was broken-hearted after his partner died. His role was the most relevant Liza Soberano as a newbie in this industry has a lot of potential. After this movie and after she was launched as part of the SMC Batch 2013, she will surely get a lot of meatier roles.

The love team of KathNiel proved that they are really the hottest love team of this generation. They surely know how to give "kilig bones" to everyone. The movie has a simple story, but they were able to give justice to their characters. However, I wish that their characters in their next project [TV or Film] will be meatier and more challenging.

The story was really good, however, the ending could have been improved. But the technical aspects of the film were good as well.

Rating: 7.5 :)