POSITIVES
A Filipino culture infused dysfunctional Family story set in Daly City starring popular Fil-Am stand-up comic Jo Koy. It’s a premise that’s pleasantly charming and comfortably familiar.
Excellent ensemble cast of actors, that had great chemistry and amusing interactions with each other. Shout out to Jo Koy, Eugene Cordero, Lydia Gaston, Brandon Wardell, Eva Noblezada, Rodney To, Tia Carrere, Elena Juatco, plus so many more.
One of the main highlights and surprises actually come from the well known actors who only show up in a limited supporting role, but they absolutely steal their scene.
Some running jokes that I really enjoyed involved a sibling rivalry, a technique of hanging up on someone on the phone, the Santo Niño, and PacMan.
There are several major things it got right in showcasing Filipino culture into this film that I appreciated; besides the family aspect or the accent. The delicious cuisine, Karaoke, the struggle to maintain the Filipino identity, and how Pinoys just love recognizing celebrities who are Filipinos.
NEGATIVES
Some people will go into this thinking it’s going to be a laugh-riot. It’s not. It’s a relatively straightforward dramedy at most. I agree though, it could have used a lot more jokes.
There’s a plot thread that seemed way too forced to be included in this movie just to create some action. Unnecessary, and arguably cheapens the narrative a bit.
Unfortunately has several unusual plot conveniences that defy logic just to move the plot along.
A little nitpick. This had the most unbelievable Easter Mass I’ve ever seen! I got that liberties are taken for the story, but this killed my suspension of disbelief much more than I wanted.
It tries to pick and choose a path on how to integrate Tagalog into the narrative and it’s a bit all over the place. No subtitles. Wrong subtitles. Too much Tagalog. Not enough Tagalog. Non-Tagalog speakers will have to just try and keep up.
loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible
