Hello! You Fool, C'mon Join the Joyride: "That Thing Called Tadhana" review.

"It is so simple that it is like an Entry-Level Starter Kit for Rom-Com newbies"

Photo courtesy of Cinema One Originals

Yes! my friends, you read that title right. This is a FIRST - I am reviewing a movie, a Filipino movie, in fact. Before that though, I have to confess something...


I am not fond of Filipino movies as much as I do foreign films. I admit that I find them either "Baduy" (Cheesy), Corny, has action that ridiculously defies science and reality, having so much commercialization that it is more of a high-budget commercial ad than a movie, and of course, the stories that are so goddamn cliché. The current trend of local made movies is so lamentable that in fact, the only time I watch Filipino movies at the cinema is when the Film Festival is up - No Choice eh di ba? Sapilitan pa yun! The hard and cold truth is it is hard to come by a Filipino film that has quality since some filmmakers do not care about quality as long as you are making money off of "Sir Chief" or "Bimby", tama ba ako? You bet!

Having said that though, in regards to this Filipino movie titled "That Thing Called Tadhana", I gotta say that I DID enjoy it, really! This movie is one of those types that defy the current trend and state that Filipino movies tend to go. Point is, I did enjoy it that I will be even reviewing it, right? So, here we go:

Photo from WheninManila.com

"That Thing Called Tadhana" is a "Rom-Com" story about two strangers who become unlikely friends - Two people who met in an airport in Italy (both are going back to the Philippines) under embarassing circumstances involving excess baggage. The guy (JM De Guzman) had his heart broken years ago and moved on. The girl (Angelica Panganiban), however is in a dire situation, she is going back home with a heavy heart (literal and emotional excess baggage) after a break-up and obviously is in a mess.

The two then find themselves embarking on an impromptu journey that had them unknowingly sharing previous experiences and new ones and before they know it, they are drowning in conversations about love, life, regret, fate, and whatever is in between those. Simply put, they became two strangers that surprisingly, ended up having each other's companies somewhat alleviate each and other's respective heartaches.

Now, this movie can be summed up as one long conversation between the two main (sole may be the better word) characters. It is a dialogue-driven story that as a viewer, it makes you feel that you are listening in on those dialogues. The venues and time changes throughout the film, but none of those things stray from the material. It is really focused on the extensive conversation and dialogue.

That format, I may say, is both unorthodox and a bit risky. With the wrong handling, it can descend into "boring" territory really quick. However, Tadhana, was able to pull the trick with a very RELATABLE content, the "Tama Lang" kind of humor, and the "Smooth and careful" pacing that somehow, keeps the viewer (in this case, Me) surprisingly absorbed.

When it comes to the characters, I gotta say that Tadhana pulled of another trick here. I never expected the Panganiban - De Guzman tandem to work out, but surprisingly, it did. Take it this way, instead of teaming up two actors who are of the same style and vein, they picked the opposite ends of the magnet, but eventually as magnets go: Opposites do attract. In this case, do work out. Panganiban, as we know her, has this over-the-top style of acting (in a good way though) and really works well when she does all the talking and then, De Guzman on the other hand, gets his mojo going when he acts on a laid back and muted kind of  way. The end product of their different style is an effective complementing tandem eventually. Honestly, both of their acting grew on me by the end of the movie and that is, of course, a good thing.

Speaking of "Relatable" Content, Tadhana has a lot of it despite its simple premise. Ano ba ang hanap mo na topic? break ups and heartaches, getting over someone, finding new romance, opportunities, and missed opportunities? Meron nyan! There is even what you may say as "Pahapyaw" on Friend-Zone and Love-on-A-Rebound territory. The thing is, it talks about the notion of "Tadhana" (Destiny) - depending on what is your take on it - whether it is the "Force" that guides you towards the one meant for you, or that it is just a bunch of flipping, bipping, Baloney! Fact is, the ending does not even say what "That Thing Called Tadhana" is. It was deliberately left open-ended for the viewer to decipher the message - customizable to your own liking - it can mean what you need it to mean. Now, how is that for relatable?

Note: I myself found a very relatable scene. It was at the museum, delivered by JM De Guzman's character. No, it is not about love or anything, but I am really surprised that there was an unexpected thing in this movie that was able to pull my strings harder. (I have the skills, I am not talented - there is the clue there! Ha ha ha)

Ultimately though, the main draw of this film lies on its bare bones simplicity and honest story. It is so simple that it is like an Entry-Level Starter Kit for Rom-Com newbies: No complicated backstories, no plot twists, no hidden characters, and no secret endings. It is simply about two people - a girl who has her heart broken and suffering and a guy who genuinely wants to help. It is as simple as that. The story obliterates all the cheesiness and stick to what other stories fail to stick to - Reality. The "malulutong" kind of cursings and vulgar languages and the referenced Pinoy Movie lines even contributed to the genuine and realistic feel of the movie.

Photo from lifestyle.inquirer.net

 Mind you, the film may be modest in its structure and script, but it is actually smart beneath the surface. You gotta give it to Director Antoinette Jadaone's hand on the helm. She was able to squeeze in a lot of wit and content to this simple package of a movie. Jadaone molds Tadhana as a unique love story that was so realistic and grounded and not overshooting its limits. It is obviously not a "KILIG FEST" type of movie, but it DID have those moments, albeit delivered in the manner of dialogue, "Eksakto" soundtrack, and the scenic destinations (in the North) it featured. For one, this movie became an advertising mechanism too, but that is advertising of the Philippines, especially Baguio and Sagada. Personally, it was just a few months since I was at Baguio and I could not help but able to relate to the feel of the movie especially scenes situated at those places. (Makes me wanna go for an impromptu trip to Baguio again and ultimately to Sagada, honestly)

That Thing Called Tadhana has virtually had a modest budget,  TWO characters, and a whole lot of talking. Looking at that, it is easy to be cynical about it and not give it a chance. Believe me, I did. However, I found myself exceptionally having a good time watching it. If you know me, having me glued and in the end, delighted with a Filipino-Made, love story with a lot of talking is a very Titanic Testament on how exceptional that movie is. It kept things simple, straightforward, and realistic. Having conversation and dialogue carry a whole movie is a remarkable feat in itself. I have to say though that the credit really goes for Tadhana being able to at least try to break the current trend of Baduy, Corny, and commercialized Pinoy Movies. I really do wish that the Filipino Movie Industry should be taking a page from this movie. Tadhana is artful, innovative, and a little bit risky in the format, but it concentrated more on the art to touch hearts and entertain rather than playing it safe for just the financial returns.

I just watched it at first to know what the fuss is about, but I ended up liking it and even writing a review about it. I highly recommend it, honestly.

So there goes my first ever media review, I do hope you all liked it. Any comment and suggestion is welcome. I would really appreciate the feedback that you can provide so I can hone my craft more.

Until next time,

Ciao!