Hello, Love, Again

Finally! I've been waiting for this movie to be released on a digital platform since I missed the chance to watch it in theaters last year. So, thank you, Netflix PH!

I watched this just before Valentine's Day, and I must say, it had that signature Star Cinema feel with a touch of GMA Pictures in terms of storytelling. As a sequel to a 2019 film, it successfully continues the story five years later. While the plot may seem typical, the journey of Ethan and Joy-now known as Marie-still stands out. Many Filipinos worldwide followed their story, and the film has now officially become the highest-grossing movie in Philippine cinema history.

However, despite its massive success, I couldn't help but notice that Kathryn Bernardo's character feels quite repetitive, resembling roles she has played in previous hit films. This makes it a bit cliché, as her portrayals tend to follow the same pattern. That being said, Kathryn's acting remains exceptional-she truly brings her roles to life. It even feels like she channeled her real-life experiences into this performance.

As for Alden Richards, his emotional depth is impressive, making him well-suited for drama. However, I think they could have toned down some of his character traits, especially those that made him come across as a red flag. At times, it felt excessive, almost as if he were enabling cheating. Nonetheless, his performance was undeniably strong.

As I mentioned earlier, the film has that distinct Star Cinema feel with a touch of GMA Pictures, which keeps it engaging since they always manage to offer variations even when working with a familiar plot. The storyline was well-crafted, but just as Kathryn and Alden mentioned in their interviews, it might be best to conclude Ethan and Joy's story here.

"Hello, Love, Again," the 2024 Filipino romantic drama sequel to "Hello, Love, Goodbye," follows Joy and Ethan as they rekindle their relationship in Canada. Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, the film brings back Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards, delivering chemistry that has fans raving. This time, the story emphasizes the challenges faced by Filipino overseas workers, with heartfelt moments balanced by the joys and hardships of love. The film's emotional depth and strong performances give it wide appeal, making it a touching sequel with universal themes of resilience and love. Great film!!

There was a lot of craze about watching this movie here in Calgary simply because the setting was in the city. However, I was disappointed (but not unexpectedly) for the following reasons: 1. The movie does not portray the average Filipino migrant here. Majority of Filipinos do not opt for common law partnership but traditional church weddings.

2. The movie is too liberal, again not the typical Filipino family tradition even among the many migrants. Premarital relationship was portrayed as being normal. This makes the movie (in my opinion) not suitable for minors and even the Filipino adolescents who may be influenced by this (to put it bluntly) immoral behavior (in the eyes of the Church).

3. Furthermore, another ungodly detail in the movie was presented as something common, was an irregular union, ie gay relationship. This again is the exception rather than the rule.

4. There were several instances where immigration laws were violated, eg. Working without proper work permit was shown as if it was normal without fear of being caught.

5. There was not a single scene where any of the actors visited a church or prayed for their dire predicament. This is totally unusual since majority of Filipinos turn to God for help in times of need.

6. The movie will be undoubtedly popular to young viewers aspiring to migrate to countries like Canada. In my opinion, there was lack of sensitivity of the producers to the Filipino culture. Majority of migrants carry with them traditional Christian family values.

I do pray that there will be more people in our movie industry who would offer their work for the greater glory of God.

'Hello, Love, Again' is a feel good film. It tackles about the reality of being in a relationship. The story emphasizes the challenges faced by Filipino overseas workers, with heartfelt moments balanced by the joys and hardships of love. Independence, self-worth, forgiveness, and the importance of pursuing one's dream: these are the elements of reality that are discussed in the movie.

'Hello, Love, Again' did a great job in providing insights in both characters. Kathryn Bernardo gave an outstanding performance as Joy, portraying a woman caught between love and ambition with nuance and sincerity while Alden Richards, in his impeccable role as Ethan, brings a quiet yet intense emotional depth to the screen. Their chemistry is distinct, and interactions feel genuine, which adds to the emotional weight of the story.

Kung may nakita man akong bad side is hindi talaga maiwasan yung 'stereotypical Cathy Garcia-Molina touch', na kapag pinanood mo alam mo talagang tatak Direk Cathy 'yung pelikula. And at times may point na 'very Laida Magtalas-Miggy Montenegro'. In fairness, the plot is realistic. Overall, 'Hello, Love, Again' is a touching, well-crafted romantic drama film that combines the universal themes of love and sacrifice.

Joy makes the difficult decision to leave Hong Kong for Canada to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse, which puts her and Ethan in a long-distance relationship. As they each live in their respective cities, time and the COVID-19 pandemic take their toll on their relationship. After going their separate ways, fate has again brought them together under different circumstances and as evolved individuals.

This is an excellent romantic movie with a good balance of comedy and drama. The story is simple, but the combination of immigration, a global pandemic, and a pinch of cultural humor makes it unique. The story shares how love grows and changes and how individuals must grow and change to survive and thrive. With a runtime of two hours and two minutes, some parts are unnecessary and slow the overall development of the story. This is a great movie to stream for a unique international romance.