My Review of NO OTHER WOMAN (Star Cinema and Viva Films)

Lets begin with scenario last night at Glorietta Mall. I know the movie was just on its first day yesterday and I really can’t help but amazed with how many people were there at the Cinema Lobby of Glorietta. We are trying to catch the 9.55pm screening but to no avail, the entire seats were SOLD OUT. Tried our luck to 10.45pm screening but its also SOLD OUT as of 8pm. Glorietta opened another impossible screneing time which is 12.30 MIDNIGHT. Im already on my phone with friends, about to tell them to just go home and have our screening the next day but ended up, “Lets get this 12.30 midnight!” People are still buying tickets and who am I to not join the bandwagon?

We ended up waiting and before the screening started, I saw the Cinema TV saying “CINEMA 3 for NO OTHER WOMAN: 2 More seats available.” and its 12midnight! I died in amazement!

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No Other Woman
Genres : Romance, Drama

Starring Cristine Reyes, Derek Ramsay & Anne Curtis
Directed by Ruel Bayani

Cinema Evaluation board: GRADED A

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I dont know if this is the first time I’ll write a review on a movie that was GRADED A by Cinema Evaluation Board but later I hope we both agree. Before I give my commendations, here is the short synopsis of characters:

Anne Curtis is Kara Zalderiaga, a young, beautiful, beautiful carefree socialite who can and will get whatever she wants. She has had many boyfriends but has continuously been emotionally-detached to love. To Kara, life s all fun and in love, no strings attached. But deep in her core, she has been longing not just to be desired and admired but likewise appreciated and truly loved.

Ram Escaler (Derek Ramsey), a charming, dedicated furniture salesman husband driven by his ambition to prove himself to the world. To Ram, being a good husband that can provide the best life to his family is a lifelong goal. He is obsessed with the idea of living out of the shadows of his father-in-law and away from the image of his estranged father.

Cristine Reyes, the beautiful perfect wife, calculating, prim and proper to a fault. Charmaine is concerned with image and takes her role as an ideal wife to heart. To Charmaine, she will let nothing and no one ruin the “perfection” she has created for her family.

The story itself is an epitome of a reality that is happening in everyone of us. I think the formula of current issues about affection, fidelity and temptation is one good reason why people wanted to see this. I guess everyone will agree that with 3 of the most hottest stars of today to topbill a Star Cinema movie, very interesting plot and exciting memorable lines, are already good reasons not to become the last to know.

I am very happy that Filmology of Director Ruel Bayani includes Paano Na Kaya last year and If I may remember he also did the Unveil (2001) Im still a college student then. His works in Television are impressive since he has been part of Original Mula Sa Puso, Tayong Dalawa and the upcoming series Budoy. Most of his films are not fast pacing. He narrates a story that is very pleasant with a big bang in the end. I love how he managed to tackle the sentiments of current situation in many of us in dealing with temptation. I remember he told in one of the VTR that the story is quite challenging since the usual story on the scene is that there is a martyr wife or a husband or a conceding other woman. In this film, both are aggressive, both party are fighting for their rights. I am glad that he handled the confrontation scene very great! He gave all the eloquence and articulacy to Anne and Cristine.

I didnt saw a Cristine Reyes in this film but rather a very impressing performance as Charmaine. I loved how she was casted as the perfect wife. Her in depth attack with her emotions are the modern day empowerment. I can feel her during the scene where she got fed up with trying her best in their marriage. Memorable lines of her was “Alam ko naman! alam ko! Pero mas masakit pala pag marinig! With her superb performance in Primetime TV, I wont forget her in Martha Cecilia’s Kristine, ncluding Kahit Isang Saglit and the eponymous title role in Eva Fonda.

Anne Curtis, one the other hand I think has elevated herself to heavy drama. Her seductive way and role in the film gave her more credibility as an actress. Looking back, she used to be a teeny slang star. Bur with her performance in this film, she proved all her detractors that there’s more to her. She is really stunning and beautiful that you would really want to see her in every scene. The Bikini showdown and confrontation with Cristine Reyes is her trailer to Best Actress nominations.

I have seen some Derek Ramsey acting in the past. His memorable was I Love You Goodbye. His character requires him to be more agressive and I liked that he gave justice to the role. Though there are times that I got bored with facial reaction. I would like to think that he is giving the scene to Cristine and Anne.

I have always been a fan of Star Cinema’sCinematography. All I can comment on Viva is that I am reconsidering them as a film outfit. They are just suppliers of prisoned contract artists. A talent agency perhaps. I hope they will be as aggressive as they were during 80s and early 90s. More than 60% of the total film contribution in the country came from Star Cinema. Nonetheless, Anne Curtis and Cristine Reyes performance in the movie is SUPERB! I thought I’ll get amuse with Carmi Martin. Im sorry I am not.