Movie Review : My Kontrabida Girl

Great villains are largely forgotten in the broadcast and comments but Rhian Ramos here is the most lovable and highly commended among the villainess!

"My Kontrabida Girl" is a well-made romantic-comedy from the scriptwriter of “My Amnesia Girl” and director of “Zombadings: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington.”

We frequently want to equate protagonist with the "good character" so we got in a discussion about how the protagonist doesn't necessarily need to be the good person of the story. It's easy to hate a movie villain, because its his or her job is to be hated. But a villain that's funny, charming, beautiful and has the rare ability to steal the show from its heroic counterparts is a special breed.


The Story:

"My Kontrabida Girl" (My Antagonist Girl) is a 2012 Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Jade Castro. It stars Rhian Ramos, Aljur Abrenica, Bea Binene and Jake Vargas.

The film’s story centers on the life of a famous soap opera antagonist and her funny and heart-warming quest in finding her one true love. Isabel Reyes (Rhian Ramos) who is the infamous soap opera villain in the country. Everyone simply loathes Isabel which makes her the most condemned personality in the world of television.

But by some weird twist of fate, Isabel’s life turns upside down when she encounters a near-death accident. The wicked antagonist experiences a sudden change of heart and being the top kontrabida of her soap opera, Isabel couldn’t just deliver her heartlessness and cruelty in front of the camera. Her over-the-top villainous persona disappears and she finds herself powerless to kick and slap the lead star.

Isabel’s show hits a major ratings lump and the network advises her to take a break from work with hopes of reigniting her passion. To solve her dilemma, Isabel seeks the help of the biggest kontrabida icon in the country, no less than Ms. Bella Flores. She finds her on YouTube and says that for Isabel to get herself back, she needs to find the person who hurt her the most. And that person for Isabel is Chris Bernal (Aljur Abrenica).

Armed with pure wits and sheer determination, Isabel sets off to meet Chris who is still living in the same town where she left him many years back when she was a child. As they navigate their way through romance and heartbreak, will it further sabotage Isabel’s career and their chances for a relationship? As they rediscover their past, Isabel begins to see Chris in a new light and she unexpectedly finds herself falling in love all over again with the very same guy who broke her heart. Will they ever get the right timing to be together? Will the Kontrabida girl find the perfect and genuine love she has been wishing for in the arms of Chris?

My Take:

Kontrabidas (antagonists/villains) are very important in any story. A good villain can save a bad movie. A great villain can elevate a weak film. A great villain in a great movie is matchless cinema history. Rhian in this movie is the most lovable! Aljur's acting here shows a big improvement since I last saw him act on a movie.

"My Kontrabida Girl" really looks goofy which seemingly establishes the comedy in its romantic comedy genre that this film falls under. What sets "My Kontrabida Girl" apart from any other rom-coms is that it does not stick to the formula that the other movies have been using. Granted, it's a far cry from any rom-com movies out there. But Aljur and Rhian's romantic comedy movie has just enough edge to entertain every moviegoers in the cinema.

Rhian Ramos and Aljur Abrenica have a very fascinating chemistry together. Aljur delivered convincing portrayal of a leading man, though it’s a way to go on his acting but nevertheless, he can act! and he is really looks good in the movie. He was also able to deliver his role as a naive townsman yet charming enough to make every woman fall for him. Whether intentional or not, he was able to make the people laugh at his adventures and misadventures.

Charice Solomon who was very outrageous in her role as Isabel's PA is really a scene stealer here. It's my first time to see her in a movie and she's very hillarious and I almost laugh my lungs due to laughing. The "SK Boys" consist of Enzo Pineda, Sef Cadayona, Kevin Santos, and Ken Chan are revelations here. Maybe they are just supports in this movie but in every scene I'm seeing them, makes me think that they can be the next leading men of GMA Network. They have different characters and more importantly good looks and talent that will surely put them to stardom.

Overall, it's still a great movie! This is kinda refreshing and is genuinely funny without being crass or hyperactive, sincerity can sneak into the lair through the back door.

Rating: 8/10

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3 comments:

I would like to watch this. But I am in Canada. Hope they would release a DVD :-) Thank you for the review.

EILYN
March 16, 2012 at 8:51 AM comment-delete

planning to watch this movie thanks for the review! now definitely gonna watch this :D

March 18, 2012 at 12:42 AM comment-delete

hi Mc Richard, tukayo pala tayo :) so how are you there in Dubai? hope everything's great!

I have always been a fan of Rhian, and im curious on how she attacked the lovely-kontrabida role, can't wait to watch this movie!

March 19, 2012 at 10:34 AM comment-delete