Four Sisters and a Wedding
The film is Star Cinema's 1st movie offering in celebration
of its 20th anniversary. The film was released in the Philippines on June 26,
2013.
Main Cast
Angel Locsin as Alexandra "Alex" Salazar, the
Manila-based independent film assistant director
Bea Alonzo as Roberta "Bobbie" Salazar, the
successful sophisticated New Yorker of the family
Toni Gonzaga as Theodora "Teddie" Salazar, the
eldest of the sisters and an OFW in Spain
Shaina Magdayao as Gabriella "Gabby" Salazar, the
well-reserved teacher
Enchong Dee as CJ "RebReb" Salazar
Supporting Cast
Angeline Quinto as Princess Bayag
Coney Reyes as Grace Salazar
Carmi Martin as Jeanette Bayag
Boboy Garovillo as Honeyboy Bayag
Sam Milby as Tristan
Janus del Prado as Frodo
Bernard Palanca as Chad
Samantha Faytaren as Trixie
Vangie Labalan
Cocoy Martinez as Victor
Studio Star Cinema
Distributed by Star Cinema
TFC Films (international)
Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina
“Four Sisters and
a Wedding” earned P60 million only four days since it was released in theatres.
My Review:
A movie worthy of being featured in the MMFF! And win some awards! This was my first
impression after watching Four Sisters
and a Wedding. Although, I was hesitant to watch it at the beginning
because the title sounds like just an improvisation of a foreign movie “Four Weddings and a Funeral”! However, I
was glad I watched it then. I believe that with 2D, the sound is much better
and the picture is clearer. So, here comes my review.
It was not just a “feel-good movie.” The plot of the story
may be too simple: a family gathering for the wedding of the “bunso”, and the
tensions that arise between the two families caused by the plan of the four
sisters to sabotage the wedding, as well as the tension within the Salazar
family. But I think it is this simplicity that allows moviegoers to be able to
relate to the movie. I surely did, coming from a big family. Themes such as
sibling rivalry, favouritism, envy, sacrifice, and insecurity as commonly
experienced in a family context are tackled, whether one is aware of it or not in
real life is another story. The film handles these themes with precision,
albeit not as profoundly as I would like it to be. This is one of the drawbacks
that I see in this movie. There was just no time to deal with them individually,
I believe. It’s like halu-halo where one has to taste the different ingredients
hoping that his or her favourite ingredients can be distinctly recognized. And
I did taste some of my favourite ingredients, the reason why I was encouraged
to write a review for this film.
I would agree to its classification as a drama-comedy movie.
It does have moments of laughter and tears that would surely tickle the heart
of emotional moviegoers. Even the parallel use of Country names with the street
names in Manila, like Espana and New York, gives one a dose of laughter.
However, acting-wise, casts like Bea Alonzo and Coney Reyes shine more brightly
as drama queens, while Carmi Martin and Toni Gonzaga shine through as comediennes.
I see Angeline Quinto as a bit awkward, but she is hilarious though.
On the lighter side, I noticed something on the sisters’ nicknames
– they are all for male. I wonder if that was to compensate the absence of the
father figure of the Salazar family! It was not clear to me why. Perhaps, with
the bunso, the dream team for basketball is now complete!
Having family relationship as the hinge to which the movie gravitates
is not an easy task. One could easily get lost into the bits and pieces of the
details and may end up with merely information, bereft with the emotional and
intelligent handling of a particular issue. What I noticed in this film is
surprising. As it tries to inform the viewers of the characters’ past and
present life, particularly that of the four sisters, it also consistently holds
the tension between Bobbie (Bea) and Alex (Angel). One can notice it
immediately upon the arrival of the three sisters (Alex from her work in Manila,
Bobbie from New York, and Teddie from Spain) and as the movie progresses it
becomes more apparent until it leads to that dramatic confrontation and
resolve. Its ability to hold this tension and not lose it in the midst of other
conflicting issues is laudable. I give credit to the director of the movie for
it.
I would like to commend the good acting of the cast, both
main and supporting. There may be a need to hone some acting talents (Here , I
am referring to Angeline Quinto and Enchong Dee as both have potentials to
improve it further), but generally, it was a dream cast for me to see because
it shows some of the very promising young actors in our Philippine cinema
today:
Bea Alonzo, as the silent victim of being less favourite by
their mother and eventually losing her boyfriend to her sibling, delivers with
intense emotion as she pours out her frustrations to her siblings and mother.
Amazing how she effectively goes with her monologue, not with extreme “sobbing”
which could have ruined the scene, but with clarity in words and emotion;
Toni Gonzaga effectively shifts from being hilarious to being
serious (although I admit that at times I find her face still funny even if she
seems so serious already!);
Angel Locsin, with her “baduy” image, still managed to show her
feminine and gentle side;
Shaina Magdayao, as the “old maid” of the four sisters,
creates an aura of a sacrificing daughter who sincerely cares for their mother
and her siblings. However, I find her youthful face to be “too young” for an
old maid; and,
Enchong Dee shines in the scene where he confronted his four
sisters to stop meddling with his own decision for himself.
Other supporting casts like Sam Milby, Janus del Prado, and
Bernard Palanca are also convincing and funny. Of course, the like of Carmi
Martin and Coney Reyes managed to show their professionalism, natural talent,
and effortless delivery of their lines, with Carmi so hilarious with her “Russian
accent.”
As I said earlier, it was not just a feel-good movie for I
left the theatre with that feeling (as what I had also observed with the others
upon leaving the theatre). This movie also leaves you with something to reflect
on – about family misunderstanding, about a sibling or a parent who work abroad
(OFW) to help the family, and the loneliness he/she has to endure; confronting
and accepting our own shortcomings (I also refer to this as our “demons”); the
reality of sibling rivalry, and the “non-conscious” favouritism by the parents.
As Filipinos, do we really tackle these issues as the characters do in the
movie? Or, we uncritically live life daily as though they don’t exist at all,
silently suffering from superficial relations and the “cold war?”
One good insight I see from this movie is the way family
issues can be dealt with positively, without resorting to “silent treatment”
and violence. Confrontation is healthy as long as there is respectful listening
to one another, without judgment. Hopefully, as one leaves the theatre after
watching this movie (or wherever one watches it), he/she would be encouraged to
look closely at the dynamics going on in his/her own family and be committed to
do his/her part to build up that family.
One thing is certain, there is no
perfect family, but it doesn’t mean that we could not perfect it with openness,
non-judgmental listening, and forgiveness. This may be a struggle, but, as what
the movie shows, it’s worth the struggle. And as opportunities come to face the
truth, may we be given the strength to face it with both mind and heart. Yes, I
would be inclined to say that in spite of its lack of depth on some important
themes mentioned above, Four Sisters and
a Wedding has both mind and heart! Congratulations to Star Cinema, to the
casts, and to the Director Cathy Garcia-Molina.
For this movie, my rating is 3 stars!
July 16,2013
Tuesday
Watch the trailer!
Tuesday
Watch the trailer!
