The Achy Breaky Hearts

The Achy Breaky Hearts is a 2016 romantic-comedy film from the Philippines starring the talented Jodi Sta. Maria, Ian Veneracion, and Richard Yap. The film dives deep into the world of love and relationships as it captures the essence of navigating through romantic complications, societal pressures, and self-discovery.

The film puts Maria at the center of the story, playing the role of Chinggay, a well-established and charismatic jewelry shop manager in her mid-30s who has been single for seven years. Chinggay's situation presents many challenges - societal prejudices and pressures due to her age and marital status, self-doubts about her love life, and the peculiar emptiness of not having a partner. Even though she has built a successful career and maintains close friendships, she encounters regular reminders from society that seems fixated on her single status.

The film dives into the heart of the matter when Chinggay's life takes a complicated and unexpected turn as two men enter her life - Ryan (Ian Veneracion) and Frank (Richard Yap), two contrasting characters themselves.

Ryan, portrayed by Ian Veneracion, is an idealistic artist who has just come out of a seven-year relationship. His character is depicted as someone who's not shy about his emotions and vulnerably wears his heart on his sleeve. On the flip side, Richard Yap plays Frank, a reserved yet incredibly charming businessman with a mature outlook on life. The combination of these character arcs wonderfully sets the stage for an intense and brilliant performance.

Throughout the film, Chinggay finds herself in a whirlwind of emotions, constantly swinging between these two charming men and perennially questioning 'what's right' for her. The movie beautifully portrays her struggles and dilemmas, along with also empathetically presenting the emotional trials and tribulations of Ryan and Frank.

Moreover, The Achy Breaky Hearts doesn't shy away from tapping into the topics that often go undiscussed in society. It delves into the concept of being a 'matandang dalaga' (old maid) and breaks down the associated societal pressures and stereotypes. It sparks conversations around the societal timelines set for women in terms of love, marriage, and motherhood, and encourages challenging these norms.

The film captures the complexity and beauty of mature love. The evolving dynamics of Chinggay with both Ryan and Frank promote an understanding of love that goes beyond physical attraction, exploring deeper concepts of compatibility, companionship, shared dreams, and emotional support.

The direction and storytelling in the movie are quite commendable as the director manages to weave in laughter, love, drama, and life lessons throughout the movie. The light-hearted comedy blends seamlessly with the emotional portions of the film, providing an entertaining yet thought-provoking watch. The film features a heartwarming display of emotions and a relatable storyline that many viewers can resonate with, adding to its overall appeal.

From an acting perspective, all three leads deliver a stellar performance. Jodi Sta. Maria does a fantastic job of bringing out the inner strength, vulnerability, and charm of Chinggay. Ian Veneracion and Richard Yap both do justice to their respective characters with their sensitive portrayals, creating believable and relatable characters.

No movie is complete without its supporting cast and setting, and The Achy Breaky Hearts doesn't falter on either. The supporting characters bring in the right amount of comic relief and substance to the story, and the picturesque setting of the movie provides a perfect backdrop for this captivating tale of love and self-discovery.

In conclusion, The Achy Breaky Hearts is more than just a typical love triangle romantic-comedy. It touches upon societal pressures, self-exploration, and discovering love that complements your identity. It's an enjoyable and captivating movie that deals with substantial life topics in the most delightful way possible.