Suddenly It’s Magic

Verdict: Proceed with Caution

Pinoy Rebyu Score: 2.60 (12 ratings)

Genre: Romance, Drama

Director: Rory Quintos

Writers: Vanessa Valdez, Enrico Santos

Cast: Mario Maurer, Erich Gonzales, Joross Gamboa, Apasiri Chantrasmi, Michael Chaowanasai, Nana Dakin, Joy Viado, Baifern Pimchanok Leuwisedpaiboon, Ces Quesada, Cacai Bautista, Dinky Doo, Jestoni Alarcon, Guji Lorenzana, Dionne Monsanto

Synopsis: Thai actor Marcus (Mario Maurer) has had enough of being in romantic movies with the woman who broke his heart. He runs away to the Philippines, where nobody knows him. On the recommendation of his Filipino housekeeper, he goes to a resort in Laoag. There he meets Joey (Erich Gonzales), a baker carrying a heartbreak of her own. In spite of a testy first encounter, Marcus decides to pursue Joey. She is eventually charmed by the actor, and the two begin a romance. But Marcus has a life and a career waiting for him in Thailand, and his relationship with Joey inevitably clashes with his ambitions. (Click the City)

MTRCB Rating: GP

Running Time: 110 mins

Trailer: 

Reviews:

3.5         Skilty Labastilla (Young Critics Circle)

“I thought this was gonna be a two-hour Close-up commercial but the movie charmed my pants off. It’s that rare stout-hearted, fully realized Star Cinema romance, helped by winsome turns from its lead actors. If there’s one quibble, I wish the filmmakers trusted that the audience can tolerate more subtitles, especially when they’re needed. The emotional mother-son talks, for instance, would have had more oomph had they conversed in Thai rather than in labored English.”

3.5         Mario Bautista (Showbiz Portal)

“Director Rory Quintos has come up with a well crafted romantic-comedy with so many ‘kilig’ scenes that work.” (Read full review)

3.5         Jennifer Dugena (PEP)

“Mario Maurer proves he’s not just a model with drop-dead good looks, he can also portray a character with charming sensitivity.” (Read full review)

3.0        Cathy Peña (Make Me Blush)

“Suddenly… is the perfect escapist fare. Situations arise as briskly, grazing over issues at the flick of a finger…But the more obvious fact is, the flick is a bowl of joy.” (Read full review)

3.0        CBCP CINEMA

“Isang formula romance ang Suddenly It’s Magic. Lahat ng inaasan sa isang pelikulang romansa ay ipinagsiksikan nang pilit sa pelikulang ito. Gayunpaman, nagawa naman nitong magbigay ng kahit papaano’y kilig sa mga manonood.” (Read full review)

3.0         Bum-Spot

“In an industry where most stories are recycled and pairings are chosen on the basis of marketability, here is a movie that seems to operate with the sole intent of making the audience believe in a kind of love that fairy tales are made of.” (Read full review)

2.75      Starmometer

“Suddenly It’s Magic isn’t the best Star Cinema romantic comedy, but it’s not the worst either. It makes for yet another harmless romance that excels because of the charm of its two leads.” (Read full review)

2.5         Rito Asilo (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

“The film is characterized by a sense of romantic serendipity that draws satisfying moments of romance, but its shallow tale makes their impact fleeting.” (Read full review)

2.5         Nicol Latayan (Tit for Tat)

“This one seems predictable as the other romance movies, but one thing that it genuinely and successfully achieved is the charm of the two lead characters.” (Read full review)

2.0        Kikko Kalabud (Hot for Movies)

“With bad material to work with, you can’t honestly expect anything astounding from Maurer or Gonzales. But there’s no doubt that their experimental tandem works.” (Read full review)

1.0         Philbert Dy (Click the City)

“The film is nothing but formula, offering no real sense that anyone was trying at all.” (Read full review)

1.0         Mark Angelo Ching (Pisara.me)

“My main gripe with this film is how predictable it is. I can see the movie’s twists and its ending from miles away.” (Read full review)