Hello, Love, Again

A pure fan service hokum and sequel to the 2019 hit. The movie changed its setting from Hong Kong to Canada where Joy (Bernardo) and Ethan (Richards) cross paths after a painful break-up during the height of the global pandemic. Joy works as a caregiver and cleaner while still pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. Ethan is trying his luck in Calgary after going bankrupt.

The movie spent much of its two-hour runtime posing the question if the former lovers will reunite or permanently go their separate ways with a script that had every trope possible for films like this. Many scenes were repetitive and overextended while there were subplots that were undernourished. Except for the two principal characters, most of the other roles were one-dimensional. Bernardo easily provided the movie's best performance while Richards was adequate but still relied on his dimpled and puppy-eye looks. Gamboa, as Ethan's bestfriend, acted as the movie's main clown and got the funniest lines that were dished out more than necessary. At least the film did not turn out to be part travelogue which usually occur in Filipino movies shot abroad.

The film could have handled the ending better with a more realistic conclusion that didn't belie Joy's character motivation. Instead, it opted for a pedestrian crowd-pleasing denouement that would explain why the film is now the Philippine movie industry's biggest moneymaker with over $22-million in ticket sales. Oh well.

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 did justice to the first installment. It is not just a romantic movie-it's a heartfelt exploration of love, dreams, and the sacrifices we make to build a better future. Thr film paints a vivid portrait of the lives of overseas Filipino workers, with all their struggles, hopes, and triumphs that we in the Philippines didn't notice as we all view our OFWs "rich".

The movie's strength lies in its ability to balance romance with deeper themes of independence, self-worth, and the importance of pursuing one's dreams. It challenges the notion of love as the ultimate goal, instead presenting it as a part of the journey-a message that feels refreshingly mature and empowering.

With its compelling performances, emotionally resonant story, and a bittersweet ending that lingers in your heart, Hello, Love, Again is a film that celebrates the complexities of love and the resilience of the human spirit. It could be watched without seeing the first movie but we definitely recommend seeing it atleast once.

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.

As much as I loved the cinematography and the premise of the story, I must say this was one of the most overrated Filipino movies ever. The follow-up to the blockbuster first film "Hello, Love, Goodbye", which was a big hit from 2019, was cliche but undeniably moving as well. I really liked how the way the characters portrayed their roles whole-heartedly. This was such a career move for them both as they take their acting powers to more mature heights. The casting was amazing, as well. The only problem I had was the writing. The first half of the film was resoundingly good, but the scenes were all over the place. I particularly loathed the transition of the scenes because it messed up the feel of the film.