The plot of the story is no extraordinary for there were
countless movies out there about ordinary girl falling in love with a
prince-charming-like boy and became happy ever after, so on and so forth. What
I like is how they incorporate the theme “giving up something in order to
follow your dreams” in almost every main character. It is not easy to choose
between your dreams and your heart and it’s hard when you have no choice but to
do so.
Erich’s character Joey at first resembles weakness for she
felt so bitter of what happened in her past relationship and about her father
who doesn’t acknowledges her as a daughter in public because she is
illegitimate. In the middle of her darkest days, suddenly Mario’s character
Marcus changed them all exchanging the sorrow with smiles even though they only
just met in a short period of time and her to Marcus as well. Obviously, that’s
the title was about-MAGIC. Love is magic.
The stardom of Marcus in the story also gives me a sense of empathy
though I’m not a celebrity but because I’m a fan. For me being a fan means
accepting the reality that people in big screen or in such very high state
doesn’t always resembles who they are just to please those people of admires
them and happy of what they show or portray. Celebrities are humans too, they
cry, laugh, become angry and fall in love, sometimes to the person fans doesn’t
want for them because they like them to end it with their love teams or other
celebrities they like. Sometimes they wish their idol would break up with their
off screen partners because of what they want for them. They were humans too
and it’s hard for them to pretend their emotions just to promote something they
were doing to be loved and accepted by fans and supporters. I am a fan of a
popular celebrity for the longest period of time but instead of making harsh
remarks about his private-lived girlfriend, I respect what w they had because I
am only a fan and whoever the love of my idol would be, I think it is just
right to support.
Scenes in the movie are very light but cool to the feel. The
scenery in Ilocos made such an impact to me including the windmills, the
festivity and the sea, fresh to the eyes. Thailand on the other note is great
including the plants and the temple. It’s really nice that the two countries’
cultures were both exhibited in the film.
About the casting, I would say that of all Filipina young actresses who were capable to be picked to play Joey, Erich had this unique "pinay beauty" and visage that would look awesome to portray simple provincial girl look beacs, that could be the reason why Star Cinema had chosen her for the role. The other female character in the story is a stabber for the agonist role was played by Mario's phenomenal "A Crazy Little Thing Called Love" leading lady, Bai Fern Pimchanok. Her character in the story as the leading man's ex-girlfriend isn't that hateful at all for me.
So what is my favorite part? The scene where Marcus’ mother
talked to him after Joey left Thailand made the most impact to me. In that,
there explained why she became tough on caring for his career and how it
relates to his father who left them. Life is really not perfect and it is full
of choices. What we choose would decide our future and it will make us who we
are. From being a weakling at first, Joey now emerged into a strong woman who
can accept things as they are with a degree of rationalization of why things
are unfair and that we have to sacrifice something for the sake of what we want
to become.
It’s balloon-flying ending scene gave justice to the theme
as Marcus had this balloon on hand for a wish that he would win Joey again then
boom!, the happy expected ever after happened. -faf
Diected By: Rory Quintos
Produced By: Star Cinema
Written By: Enrico Santos and Vanessa Valdez
Main Cast: Mario Maurer, Erich Gonzales, Baifern Pimchanok