When Love Begins... (2008) Reviews

• sucks.... big time. sorry.

  mike-gutzie2008-08-26

  got to watch this film on a Pal flight from Sydney. it was utter torture. man, Aga has been in the business for ages. and he still doesn't know how to act. he is like:"hey look at me, i'm sho cute don't you think sho?" he still hasn't outgrown his pa cute esh. sorry but i think Filipino movies in general are trash. so shallow plot, so predictable, so "wakasan" comics fantasy story. so unnatural acting, well Anne in fairness acted OK, so natural. come on, Filipino audience are not all stupid. make some good movies. enough of this stuff. so i have to write at least 10 lines for me to submit a comment. i can't write anything good about the movie except for the beauty of boracay. so i won't be adding anymore bad comments. oh, i have exceeded 10 lines already. it's time to push the preview then submit button!

• V. disappointing...

  jemps9182008-04-30

  Considering all the hype put into this brazen launching vehicle for Anne Curtis, When Love Begins was painful to watch from start to finish. Environmental rights lawyer Ben Caballero (Aga Muhlach) and spoiled real estate scion Michelle 'Mitch' Valmonte (Anne Curtis) meet in Boracay and fall in love. Despite their age difference and lack of things in common, they somehow sustain their MU (mutual understanding). When principles and disparate values and loyalties get in their way, both must make a decision to stay together or stand by their beliefs. Disappointing, really, considering the experience of writer/director Jose Javier Reyes (Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo) and the leads Curtis and Muhlach. Everything just felt forced: the unnatural dialogue, the wooden delivery, the poor editing...the lack of chemistry between Curtis and Muhlach just added fuel to the fire. Even the shockingly amateurish use of the formula was glaringly obvious and self-absorbed; despite the well-intended trendily eco-friendly subplot of the movie, the characters become tiresome mouthpieces for the message that it can come across as insincere because the audience's disbelief is not sustained. The supporting cast only serves to jar the moments instead of build up the scenes. No witty lines, no memorable scenes...utterly, sadly forgettable.

• Time For Muhlach To Accept Better Roles

  Desertman842014-03-26

  When Love Begins is a Filipino romance film that stars Aga Muhlach and Anne Curtis.Ben Caballero,played by Muhlach, is a lawyer who represents an environmental group while Mitch Valmonte,played by Curtis, is involved in the marketing department of her father's real estate company. Mitch's father Paco is facing legal troubles because of Atty. Caballero. This situation forces Mitch to choose between her father and her new flame. The film is a study of two people afflicted with commitment phobia—both Ben and Mitch are afraid of responsibilities because they have been burned by love in the past. Ben's family thinks he needs some growing up to do while Mitch's father would rather let her decide what to do with the man who is challenging him in court. Mitch must decide where her loyalties lie—the family business or the man who considers her as his girlfriend. Producers capitalized mainly on the lead star's looks and sex appeal.It was filmed partly in Boracay to feature Curtis is a bathing suit to the delight of male audience.As far as Muhlach is concerned,he still tries to look cute on camera despite of his acting skills and talent.It is just too bad that he remains stereotyped in these types of films despite being in his 40's when he made this film.Isn't he getting tired of these types of roles? As far as the acting performances is concerned,too bad the lead stars lacked chemistry and looked unrealistic to play as a couple.Their age gap proved even more of a hindrance.They simply try to look cute on camera and deliver their memorized lines.They aren't playing any characterizations whatsoever.Why did Mitch and Ben get attracted to one another?Being good looking should not be the only reason considering that they both come from different backgrounds.That is why their romance looked far from being credible except with the requirements of the plot. With regards to the story,the movie simply tries to conceptualize a modern day Romeo and Juliet-like story.But unlike the classic novel,it was far from being Shakespearean.Aside from the lead stars capitalizing on their looks and sexiness to attract viewers,the movie simply was formulaic and clichéd.Added to that,both lack chemistry.There is no surprise whatsoever as everyone knew what is going to happen in the end. Overall,I think that its time for Muhlach to take better roles on films.He stated once in an interview that he has yet to get involved in a film that would be challenge his acting skills.Maybe he himself is getting sick and tired of looking cute in the camera.Finally,I consider this film that fails on all levels due to a poor story line,flat performances and poor imitation of a classic Shakespeare novel,Romeo and Juliet set in the modern times.

• a boring movie +++ bad acting

  jmeehcolings2008-07-07

  After watching the movie, I can't help but think how much ratings it gotfrom the viewers. Not to hate, coz i admire Aga and Anne for their acting skills which was one of the reasons i watched the movie. However, it was tiresome to watch.. the story seemed to0 slow and i was just dying to see it end. ANne Curtis' acting sucked. It wasn't realistic at all. I would've just preferred if she spoke in tagalog since all of her lines sounded "scripted". There was no chemistry at all between aga and anne, which makes watching it even worse. I'd say this is one of the worst Pinoy movies i've seen even compared to the jologs/corny ones. What i love about this movie?? i loved the beach setting (boracay) and Anne Curtis' fashionable clothes. That's it..

• I loved it!!

  RickenbackerRules2010-11-19

  I loved this movie! Although the storyline has been used in similar circumstances, kind of a "Romeo & Juliet" storyline, but instead of the families being the "stumbling block" in this relationship, it was their careers. But despite that, it was still portrayed well. I thought the previous review was a bit harsh. I thought the acting was good, especially ANNE CURTIS (Michelle "Mitch" Valmonte). The Character of "Ben" was portrayed as a quiet sort of man, possibly because the actor playing him, AGA MUHLACH seems to have a similar temperament as seen in the "Behind The Scenes" film reel. I also thought the supporting cast did a great job! It was well written and directed with some awesome cinematography of Boracay & especially ANNE CURTIS in bikinis! (Ok, maybe that wasn't the cinematography... she still would have looked hot filmed on an old Super-8 movie camera!!) It has fuelled my desire to visit the beautiful resort of Boracay one day! Overall, I loved this movie! 10 out of 10 from me!!