Mastery of the Middle Class as A Strong Selling Point -- MY HOUSEHUSBAND: IKAW NA Movie Review

POTATO ON THE GO (Movie):

In a film festival that looks like more of a movie carnival, having been able to watch a movie with sense packed with entertainment is a rare treasure found.  And this is what I experienced as I watched MY HOUSEHUSBAND: IKAW NA, OctoArts Films' official entry to the 2011 Metro Manila Film Fesrtival.

MY HOUSE HUSBAND: IKAW NA is what you call dramedy film which talks about a married couple Rod (Ryan Agoncillo) and Mia (Judy Ann Santos) who shifted roles when current economic reality hit their family. Rod becomes the care taker of the house and kids while Mia becomes the bread winner. Eugene Domingo plays the role of Aida, the couple's neighbor who developed a strong friendship with Rod which made Mia jealous at one point. Along the way, situations and challenges haunt the couple that test the strength of their relationship.

My verdict, MY HOUSEHUSBAND: IKAW NA's mastery of the middle class is its strongest selling point!  This is a Jose Javier Reyes trademark  that  we have seen in his past movies like May Minamahal, Kung Ako Na Lang Sana, Kasal Kasali Kasalo and Sakal Sakali Saklolo, among others.  Direk Joey was able to tell the story of Rod and Mia plus Aida in a realistic manner where many Filipinos can relate to.  The situations on company mergers (and how it affects the working class), demotions, resignations, house budget, household responsibilities, and the sensitivity of a working wife and a househusband were well narrated and displayed.  Many will shed tears and laugh at themselves as they see the movie.  MY HOUSEHUSBAND: IKAW NA is a reflection of a modern and real Filipino family and it tells us that in marriage, there's no man or woman role, they are partners, whatever the functions may be, in raising and upholding their family. 

'But although it's life like, the movie is injected with humor through witty dialogues, animated facial expressions and hilarious situations.  That's why watching MY HOUSEHUSBAND: IKAW NA made me look like a crazy man.  In one scene, I will burst in laughter and in the next, I will hold my breath to hold the emotion.  And MY HOUSEHUSBAND'S well mixed drama and comedy is its next selling point.

Judy Ann and Ryan Ready to Collide Against the Giants of MMFF 2011

POTATO ON THE GO (Movie):

This year's Metro Manila Film Festival is a season of collaboration of hit franchise and previously competing movies and stars.  There are Enteng ng Ina Mo of Vic Sotto and Aiai de las Alas, Panday 2 of Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., Shake Rattle and Roll and Segunda Mano of Kris Aquino and Dingdong Dantes, among others.  'But MMFF's favorite pair Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo for their movie MY HOUSEHUSBAND: IKAW NA are not taking this sitting down.

Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos doing the TaDi Pose!  :)

"Bilib kami sa istorya namin.  It's simple and it's real life.  Iyon lang ang pinakapambato namin, walang effects, walang cartoons," Judy Ann explained in a blogcon held at the NAPA Restaurant & Bar in Scout Borromeo, Quezon City.

From the success of their past two movies Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo and Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo, Judy Ann and Ryan both admitted that there's pressure on them. Judy Ann said, "Oo e, hindi nawawala yung pressure. Pag may entry ka, labanan ng pelikula, labanan ng effects, labanan ng istorya, labanan ng actingan, lahat nandyan. Lalo na sa end namin, two years ang pagitan ng pagtatrabaho namin together. And syempre nagbakasyon ako when I got pregnanrt. Iniisip pa nung mga tao na ito yung kasunog ng KKK at SSS, hindi, iba itong movie na'to.  Magkakasama lang kaming tatlo (Jose Javier Reyes as the director) sa naunang dalawa. Malawak yung narrating nun unang dalawa, sana mapantanayan, kung hindi man maungusan. O sana maibalik lang naming sa producer yung nailabas nila."

Ryan added, "Talking about pressure and awards,. we are not at that stage e. Right now, the pressure, for us is to come up with a good product just like with our past two movies which are very good products. They did very well. They were underdogs. This time around, there are expectations, may pressure, pero ang maganda, underdog kami ulit. kasi ang higante, uso ngayon sa MMFF e yung nagcocombine, yung dating magkakalaban, pinagcocombine. Ito, my God, how can you hope to beat a franchise put together like Panday, Enteng and Ang Tanging Ina.  Sa'min the pressure is to come up with a good product.  Pag napanood na naming na maganda ang product, the next question is sana kumita ang producer natin. Syempre ayaw naman naming sumama ang loob nila dahil pangit ang box office. Next is yung awards, sana makatsamba. Judy ann did a very unexcpected thing when she won best actress beating dramas with a comedy. Saki yung award, my main job is a host, kung makastamba, okay.  Pero I think I leave that to Judy Ann, Eugene and Joey because they are the multi awarded ones when it comes to cinema."

Starring real life couple Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos, MY HOUSEHUSBAND: IKAW NA speaks a volume of success in so many aspects already.  Joining the fray is undisputed comedy actress Eugene Domingo.  All three premiere talents join outstanding chemistry with director par excellence Jose Javier Reyes.

Eugene Domingo plays mistress in Octoarts Film's MY HOUSEHUSBAND: IKAW NA

POTATO ON THE GO (Movie):

When we hear the name Eugene Domingo, I bet most of us will have smiles on our faces and even small laughter, reminding us of the wacky characters in her movies that we have seen.  There's no doubt, Eugene Domingo, the comedienne, the actress, has come a long way!  Ever since she rocked the nation with Kimi Dora and impressed the critics with Ang Babae sa Septic Tank, Eugene is up for more!

'But unlike other lead actors, Eugene does not mind doing support roles even right now when she's it at the prime of her career. Eugene explained, "Ang training ko kasi theater, and in theater we work in a company.  Sometimes ikaw ang lead, sometimes chorus, sometimes you market the play, sometimes, you're the stage manager... that's my training.  Pagdating sa pelikula basta gusto ko yung pelikula, I agree with the director's vision, gusto ko yung character na binigay mo, fresh, cameo man yan, support, lead, I don't care.  Kung may potential sa box office, I don't care as long as I like it."

And with that mindset, Eugene is more than ready and willing to be part of good projects like this upcoming offering of Octoarts Film MY HOUSE HUSBAND: IKAW NA which is also the outfit's official entry to the 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival.

MY HOUSE HUSBAND: IKAW NA is what you call dramedy film which talks about a married couple Rod (Ryan Agoncillo) and Mia (Judy Ann Santos) who shifted roles when current economic reality hit their family.  Rod becomes the care taker of the house and kids while Mia becomes the bread winner.  Eugene Domingo plays the role of Aida, the couple's neighbor who developed a strong friendship with Rod which made Mia jealous at one point.  Along the way, situations and challenges haunt the couple that test the strength of their relationship.