Kathryn Bernardo and Dolly De Leon's A Very Good Girl is now on Netflix!
The blockbuster film premiered on the streaming platform this Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
Read: Kathryn Bernardo, Dolly de Leon reveal their deal before shooting "A Very Good Girl"
Based on Star Cinema's data that was released on October 10, the movie recorded a total of "more than a hundred million pesos" box-office earnings.
kathryn and dolly: nuanced acting from fresh tandem
A mix of drama, camp, and dark comedy, A Very Good Girl tells the story of Mercy (Kathryn), a rank-and-file employee who suffers injustice at her workplace.
What pushes her to take revenge against her rich and influential boss Molly (Dolly) is when Mercy witnesses how Molly can literally get away with murder just because the latter has the money and power to back her up.
The movie succeeds in showcasing Kathryn and Dolly as reliable actors who can keep viewers glued to the screen not just because they look so beautiful and flawless even with super close-up shots, but because of the play of emotions they convey through a mere blink of an eye or a curling of the lip.
It also works to Kathryn's advantage that she is given a dual role where she can showcase her ability to do drama and dark comedy at the same time.
In one moment, Kathryn is shown as the deglamorized Mercy with unkempt hair, no make-up, and in baggy clothes. All she thinks about is how life can be unfair and that there seems to be no way for her to get back up.
Then the next moment, Kathryn shifts into her role's rich alter-ego, the fashionable Philo who is out to befriend the enemy until she finds the perfect opportunity to strike Molly where it hurts the most.
But Kathryn shines best when she shows the vulnerable heart of her character.
One example is when her character Mercy is in tears because of the injustice done to her mother (played by Angel Aquino). The despair and hopelessness is so evident in Kathryn's expressive eyes that it makes the scene seem real because of her credible acting.
Dolly, for her part, plays the boss from hell to the hilt.
Her exacting vibe as Molly is a cross between Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) in the movie Devils Wears Prada and Sylvie Grateau (Leroy-Beaulie) in the Netflix series Emily in Paris.
The only difference is Molly doesn't grow a heart until the very end of the movie.
Molly actually becomes even more twisted, which is what the story requires of her.
Only a very good actor can pull off that much-talked-about "twisted scene" at the latter part of the film where Dolly's dark character fakes compassion with tears in her eyes while holding a phallic-shaped wooden deity.
And then, without missing a beat, Molly becomes unhinged as as she decides to show her true colors.
Molly not only shames Mercy into submission, but she goes on to commit unspeakable acts before the movie draws to a close.
What makes the movie a bit difficult to watch though is how the story itself takes viewers through a rollercoaster of emotions as it tries to be funny and cool as well as tear-jerking and reflective of life's harsh realities, all at the same time.
It feels as if there wasn't enough time for viewers to digest the intensity of a crucial dramatic scene as several absurd twists ocurred one after another, leaving one asking, "Wait, what just happened again?"
Nevertheless, Kathryn and Dolly's nuanced acting and fresh tandem make the whole film worth watching.
quotable quotes
Here are some of Kathryn and Dolly's lines that just might give viewers something to ponder on after watching A Very Good Girl on Netflix:
1. "Ang mahal mabuhay. Ang mahal din mamatayan. Sabi ni Mama, pag nagpakabuti ako, magiging mabuti ang mundo sa akin. Saan ako nagkamali? Bakit ganito binalik sa akin ng mundong ito?" - Mercy
2. "P****ng *** ninyo, may araw din kayo!" - Mercy
3. "Ang hirap sa mga lalakeng katulad mo, ito ang ginagamit para mag-isip. Aanhin mo pa iyan kung wala ka na namang bayag?" - Philo
4. "Tama si Mama. Naalala mo yung sinabi niya? Basta maging mabuti ako, magiging mabuti yung balik ng mundo sa akin. Woo! Tagal ko hinintay ito! Ito na yun! Bumabawi na yung mundo sa atin." - Mercy
5. "My god! Kayong mahihirap talaga! Kaya kayo mahirap at kaya kayo magiging mahirap habang-buhay kasi ang simple-simple ninyong mag-isip. Ang dali niyo maniwala. Ang dali niyo mauto." - Molly
6. "Oh... Justice is expensive, my dear. And poor people like you can't just afford it." - Molly
7. "Naiintindihan ko. Tinarantado ka rin ng mundo just like me. Just like many others. Face it. There are no good people. You belong with me. You're exactly like me." - Molly
8. "Tanga lang naniniwala that there's still goodness in this world." - Molly
9. "Tama ka. Hindi ako mabuting tao. There are no good people. Only people who want to be better." - Mercy
10. "Hindi na ako natatakot harapin lahat ng pagkakamali ko. Yun ang pinagkaiba natin. Ako si Mercy. You are not my mother. At hindi ako magiging kagaya mo." - Mercy
The PEP REVIEW section carries the views of individual reviewers, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the PEP editorial team.
Aside from A Very Good Girl, other Filipino content to watch on Netflix include Replacing Chef Chico (starring Alessandra de Rossi, Piolo Pascual, and Sam Milby) and Can't Buy Me Love (starring Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano).
@pepalerts Netflix Philippines caps off 2023 with a barangay fiesta-themed party! Check out how their booths are customized according to trending Netflix series as well as upcoming ones! Watch till the end to see the message from DonBelle of Can’t Buy Me Love & Piolo, Alex and Sam of Chef Chico. #PEPNews #EntertainmentNewsPH #NewsPH #Netflixmas ? Pop and bright Christmas songs - G-axis sound music
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