My Big Love

My Big Love from 2008 is a Filipino romantic comedy film, produced by Star Cinema, that delves into an unconventional love story highlighting important life lessons about self-acceptance, self-love, and body positivity. The film is directed by Jade Castro and features Toni Gonzaga, Sam Milby, and Kristine Hermosa in the central roles, boasting strong performances from these popular stars of the Philippine film industry.

Sam Milby stars as Macky Cordova, an endearing character with an undeniable talent for cooking. Despite being a successful chef and owner of a high-class restaurant, Macky is virtually invisible to many due to his plus-size frame. This is especially true for his crush, a svelte, classy, and confident lifestyle reporter named Aira (Kristine Hermosa), who sees Macky purely as a friend. When heartbreak strikes Macky, he is inspired to lose weight as he believes it’s the only way he can secure the love of Aira.

In this transformative journey, he crosses paths with Niña (Toni Gonzaga), an eccentric personal trainer. Niña and Macky initially clash due to their contrasting personalities, but eventually, Niña takes on the task of helping him shed pounds. As their journey unfolds, the film presents a variety of hilariously choreographed workout sessions, schemed diets, and candid conversations, making the audience both laugh and think.

Niña, with her vivacious energy and motivational spirit, guides Macky through his rigorous weight loss regime. However, more than just a weight loss journey, it quickly becomes a deep journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance for Macky, which adds an intriguing depth to the narrative. It's through these moments together that Macky learns to embrace his uniqueness and find his worth beyond superficial appearances, evolving into a more confident and self-loving person.

The plot thickens as an interesting dynamic develops between Macky, Niña, and Aira. Tensions, smiles, and tears are brilliantly interwoven into the storyline, creating pockets of surprise and fascinating moments of romance, comedy, and drama. Toni Gonzaga, renowned for her knack for comedy, lights up the screen with her effortless humour while Sam Milby’s progression from an insecure to confident man stirs the audience. Kristine Hermosa, with her elegance and charm, simply amplifies the appeal of the film.

My Big Love incorporates elements of humour, romance, and drama to create an engaging storytelling experience successfully. The film is definitely a visual treat as it showcases different facets of Manila, splendidly captured by cinematographer Moises Lee. Manila's city-life, cultures, food, and the charm of its people are beautifully depicted, providing a vivid backdrop to the story. The music composed by Raul Mitra also adds depth to the scenes, whether heightening the comedic moments, intensifying the romantic scenarios, or emphasising the more poignant life lessons encapsulated in the film.

In essence, My Big Love is more than just an ordinary romantic comedy. It tells a compelling story about love, friendship, and acceptance that extends beyond the traditional cliches of the genre. It not only shines a spotlight on body image issues but also addresses them with sensitivity and lightheartedness. Moreover, the film tries to convey that beauty is subjective, and it is one's character and passion that ultimately lends true beauty to an individual.

While there's plenty of humour and heart that My Big Love provides, the underlying messages the film sends out make it truly endearing. The sweet and sour moments of romance, the entangled relationship dynamics, the humorous highs, and heartbreaking lows will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The chemistry between the actors, the clear storytelling of Jade Castro, and the engrossing screenplay ensure that the film is a refreshingbreak from the regular rom-com fare, making it a must-watch for fans of this genre.

In short, My Big Love is a delightful cinematic experience that showcases a unique romance plot while underlining the importance of self-love and acceptance. It's a film that effectively uses laughter and tears to convey its story, with first-rate performances that will stay with viewers long after they have left the theater.