Movie Review: My Candidate

Image courtesy of www.mymovieworld-coolman0304.blogspot.com

Cast: Derek Ramsay, Shaina Magdayao, Iza Calzado
Director: Quark Henares
Rating: PG
Produced by: Quantum Films

Set on a political backdrop, My Candidate brings Derek Ramsay and Shaina Magdayao together in a pre-election movie that outlines the relevance of a politician’s image. The pressures of the political campaign and all the struggles in between culminate in something that is half expected.

Sonny Suarez (Derek) plays a congressman who reluctantly agree to run as senator to give way to his father's dying wish. Initially, stubborn Sonny didn’t want to as he believed that being in Congress was more than enough for him. But the death of his father and a favorable survey for a Senate seat changed all that.

However, Sonny’s poor social skills and uncharismatic persona will butcher his chances in the elections. His campaign team thinks that the good hearted public servant badly needs an image builder, hence it decided to hire Billie Pono (Shaina Magdayao), a young and competent communications coach who will teach Sonny to be "charming, tactful, and charismatic" – the focus of agreement among her, Sonny and his team.

The wholesome and cannot-hurt-a-fly image of Shaina gives a surprise turnaround in this film as Billie - the lively, alcohol-drinking, former drug addict who loves rap and ghetto music - but is a very passionate life coach. Her professional relationship with Sonny will find a new connection even after the elections are concluded.

However, there’s a mismatch despite the filmmakers’ attempt to go against the established norm of love teams, as it focuses its plot on politics and elections. It is decidedly a movie about a reluctant politician going through the rigors of the campaign but not allowing it to compromise his work and duty to his constituents.

Billie’s maneuvering of Sonny’s political moves includes making sure that he crashes the competition – in this case, his ex-girlfriend Vera Sanchez (Iza Calzado), a traditional politician (trapo) who is also gunning for a Senate seat. Their televised debate is a success where Sonny outwits and beats Vera to pieces.

The movie successfully brings out the best in the other characters of the movie, making sure that their acting mettle will equally shine. The challenge of handling  Sonny’s campaign and how the team copes with the daily pressures are eye-openers.  With TLC (tender loving care), coach Billie molds Sonny to be her  perfect project, something that will give the viewer a ringside view to the harsh and often unseen realities of every brutal campaign.

My Candidate is good in its attempt to reinvent the rom-com brand, but Derek Ramsay and Shaina Magdayao obviously lack the chemistry to execute it. There are awkward scenes that shouldn’t have there in the first place. Undeniably, there are loose connections, the movie’s musical score in some scenes is a bit off, along with the rough editing and poor transitions that leave much to be desired.

The Sonny Suarez and Vera Sanchez love angle is kind of misplaced as there is none to speak of – them being already cold ex-lovers. The political conflict that should have been the gist of their existence fails because the senatorial position that they are both vying for is not a contest meant to be just for the two of them.

In the end, while the viewer waits patiently for that redeeming factor, it will not come. Instead, she will be forced to just grin and bear it, especially after the last scene unexpectedly unfolds before her.

The good thing about the film is that it entertains happily, more than enough to have a good laugh as we deal with our own post-election stresses.

My Candidate also stars Ketchup Eusebio, Nico Antonio, Ricci Chan, and Happy Fereran, is now showing in cinemas.