What makes Love You So Bad exciting is seeing whether Will Ashley, Bianca de Vera, and Dustin Yu can live up to expectations.
Usually, reality show stars falter after their sudden rush of fame, because they may not have the talent to sustain the spotlight.
Fortunately, Love You So Bad lets fans of the trio breathe a sigh of relief.
This Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry proves that the former Pinoy Big Brother (PBB): Celebrity Collab Edition housemates have the skills to prolong their stay in showbiz.
Love You So Bad's PLOT: IT’S COMPLICATED
In the movie, Bianca de Vera plays Savannah, a college senior whose life unravels in different directions.
Her boyfriend ghosts her without warning, she must protect her aunt from abuse, and she struggles to accept the mother who abandoned her.
Add a looming thesis deadline, and it’s safe to say her life is about to explode.
Then there’s Dustin Yu’s character LA. His life is also in a downturn.
Yes, he’s popular because he is a part of the varsity team, but his stepfather hates him and his mother has a terminal disease.
He copes by drinking heavily night after night, and decides to leave Savannah to protect her from harm.
Lastly, Will Ashley’s character is Vic.
He’s the student council president, an exemplary student, and is on track to lead his family’s huge farm in Cotabato.
Because Savannah is his thesis groupmate, he decides to steer her away from LA, and teach her how to become more responsible.
But does he have another motive?
Yes, there’s a lot happening in this movie.
Thankfully, director Mae Cruz Alviar succeeds in putting them all together cohesively.
She also manages to give equal attention to each angle, so fans of both love teams—WillCa and DustBia—will feel satisfied.
Love You So Bad: acting performance
Of course, praise goes to the main trio for delivering in the acting department.
Will is expectedly good.
The young actor has the chops to be one of his generation’s top leading men.
Dustin, meanwhile, is a genuine surprise.
He has been judged lacking in past roles, but he’s more than competent in this rom-com.
The scene where he pleads with his stepdad to accept him is genuinely heartbreaking.
Lastly, there’s Bianca, who soars higher than her two co-leads.
She brings more than her beloved bubbly personality here.
She plays Savannah not as a damsel in distress, but as a strong woman who knows what she wants in a relationship.
The way she drives the final confrontation and delivers her monologue on self-acceptance reveals acting skills far beyond her years.
Love You So Bad: the visuals
On the technical side, the cinematography by Zach Sycip is excellent.
Club scenes are often messy in movies, but here, they look clear and well-lit.
The overhead scenes in South Cotabato are also breathtaking.
One complaint to be made is that the supporting cast feels underutilized.
For example, the trio’s friends—played by popular young stars Ralph de Leon, Vince Maristela, and Xyriel Manabat—really have nothing substantial to do.
However, this feels like a necessary decision to keep the story focused on the main characters.
THE VERDICT
All in all, Love You So Bad gives the trio behind WillCa and DustBia a foothold in the entertainment industry.
Their strong performances make the movie more than just fan service.
Instead, it’s a solid youth drama that has something important to say.
Read:
REVIEW: Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins crackles with life and scares
REVIEW: Call Me Mother is Vice Ganda at his best
REVIEW: Unmarry is mature, sensitive look at the end of love
REVIEW: Love You So Bad, a solid rom-com and not just fan service
REVIEW: Bar Boys: After School is a reunion worth attending
REVIEW: Rekonek is a pretty fun ride
REVIEW: Manila's Finest is visceral and deeply affecting
REVIEW: I’mPerfect, a movie with a massive heart