GMA Films' "Just One Summer" movie review: Feel the 'JuliElmo' love

Each year, film outfits release dozen films about love and romance but really, most of them are trite and predictable, but I think "Just One Summer" stood out among all the movies we've seen this year!


I watched the movie "Just One Summer" at its premiere night thinking this is just another cutie teeny bopper flick where one boy meets a girl. They fall in love and live happily ever after. These are the usual scenario and these are my usual expectations when it comes to romantic movies like this one but in the case of "Just One Summer," it's not just an ordinary love story of teenage boys and girls. It's more of a family movie that tackles relationship between a father and a son, son and mother, daughter and her father and lola, usual teenage with the people around them.


It's a breath of fresh air that "Just One Summer" centers around non-stereotypical characters who are neither abnormally wacky or depressingly serious; I like more the lightness of the story. Lead actors Elmo Magalona and Julie Anne San Jose - they are characters you can relate to battling conflicts that could happen to everyone. Not only are Elmo and Julie Anne are perfectly cast in "Just One Summer," but also the amazing soundtrack!

What makes this movie an outstanding one is because of its right blend of drama, angst, longing and even humor (I love more Elmo every time he laughs). Another thing I liked about this movie is that its plot did not follow the usual Pinoy routine of having the would-be-couple take on 'hilarious' mini-fights before getting together, have this predicatable break-up in the middle of the movie and extravagant proposals of undying love just before the credits roll. I would like to congratulate the director for considering their age, just as perfect for the movie. The story and the characters are enough to hold the movie together and leave its impression on its audience and some of the funniest lines and scenes ever in a romantic movie are included (so much cheesy for Elmo and Julie Anne).

My favorite scenes and I can assure you that you'll surely love these:
  1. The carabao scene (where Elmo took his shirts off, I liked Julie Anne's reaction)
  2. The scene stealing with the alitaptaps (fireflies)
  3. Loving-loving between Cherry Pie and Joel Torre
  4. Julie Anne and Elmo's date (happened in Subic kung saan andun kami noong taping)
  5. When Elmo tried to kiss Julie the very first time (sapilitan lang to make Julie turn off with Elmo)
Produced by GMA Films under the direction of Mac Alejandre, “Just One Summer” opens in theaters nationwide on August 15, 2012.

Rating: 8/10

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9 comments:

tnx.' sa good review.'.. makanuod nga!

Anonymous
August 14, 2012 at 8:23 PM comment-delete

I already watched yesterday together with my mother at naiyak sya sa mga scenes of Elmo and Joel. Elmo stole the scenes. It's a very good film. Congrats to the director and GMA.

Anonymous
August 15, 2012 at 11:27 PM comment-delete

What did you not like about the movie?

What the hell, you call this a review? You can actually raise some bad points in the movie but you chose not to because - you were invited by GMA to attend at the premiere night and watch their crap movie.

August 16, 2012 at 1:46 AM comment-delete

We actually like the movie. Really felt good after watching it. The "Alitaptap" scene was the best. Congratulations to Julie and Elmo!

August 16, 2012 at 3:42 AM comment-delete

We actually like the movie. Really felt good after watching it. The "Alitaptap" scene was the best. Congratulations to Julie and Elmo!

August 16, 2012 at 3:46 AM comment-delete

mas gusto ko tuloy syang panoorin, wag na yang mga haters, hayaan na yan,,

Anonymous
August 19, 2012 at 6:49 AM comment-delete

yung mga haters, gumawa kayo ng sarili nyong movie.. tsaka di nmn sapilitan ang pagpapanood ng JOS..

Anonymous
August 20, 2012 at 10:25 AM comment-delete

It is the same old (boy meets girl)crappy Filipino movie. Elmo has an irritating acting and face.

Anonymous
August 26, 2012 at 1:54 PM comment-delete

it is a F L O P!!!! too bad for Julie Anne San Jose...she IS GOOD!!! but ELMO was...B A D!! in all aspects...he doesn't know how to act...react...sing...especially has no rhythm in DANCING!!! tooo bad for JAPS for her first movie..glad didn't watch and throw away money in the movie house... walang sense ang story... puhhleezzzz GMA films...try looking for worthwhile stories...gudness...magkaaway ngayong scene...tas biglang nag-gatas lang bati na... next scene BFF na...next scene in lab na sa isat isa...weow!!! in 4 scenes...ganun na?!!! kalokohan!

Anonymous
September 18, 2012 at 4:08 PM comment-delete