Whether or not you’ve seen the hit Viva One series ‘Ang Mutya ng Section E,’ there’s no denying the chemistry between Andres Muhlach and Ashtine Olviga as their onscreen spark has already earned them their first big-screen movie for their second project together.
Teaming up with Viva’s writer-director Jason Paul Laxamana, ‘Minamahal: 100 Bulaklak Para Kay Luna’ is a coming-of-age tale about two young lovers, Raffy and Luna. The film takes viewers through the journey of their relationship from senior high school to college.
Raffy is not one to hide his emotions. He’s already in love with Luna, and she doesn’t mind starting a relationship as long as whatever they’re doing isn’t ‘kaderder’ (her playful version of ‘kadiri,’ meaning gross).
Things become complicated as the two find themselves on different paths in life. While Raffy slowly comes out of his shell, Luna has to stop schooling to help her abused mother. When Luna finally escapes her predicament, the dynamic in their relationship begins to shift – leaving viewers to wonder if two people from different worlds can find common ground to keep their love afloat.
Despite its subtitle, don’t mistake ‘Minamahal’ for a sequel or even a spin-off of the ‘Para Kay Stella’ duology starring JC Santos and Bela Padilla. The only connection lies in this concept: 100 items given by the protagonist to the object of their affection.
This time, however, the film doesn’t focus as heavily on the symbolic gifts as ‘Stella’ did with poems and songs. Instead, the flowers serve as subtle markers of where their relationship stands, up until the final bloom.
While Fidel and Stella felt like lovers straight out of a romantic comedy, Raffy and Luna come across as more true-to-life. Their romance and their personal struggles feel grounded and relatable beyond the usual ‘hugot’ dialogue.
Laxamana’s storytelling wavers at times, with contrasting tones that make the film feel like several stories stitched together without smooth transitions. However, it manages to land on an ending that makes sense within the film’s arcs.
The performances of its leads show promise. Andres may not yet match his father, Aga Muhlach, in acting range, but he demonstrates potential once he refines his line delivery. Olviga, however, is the clear standout, with an effortless portrayal that makes Luna feel both real and compelling.
As a duo, Andres and Ashtine work so well together. They clearly understand the emotional dynamics between their characters, highlighting the strengths of Laxamana’s script.
One major complaint that AshDres ‘shippers’ will likely notice right away is the blatant product placement throughout the film. A telco company and a restaurant owned by Viva’s parent company are featured so prominently that they become distracting. It almost feels like watching a music video where the artist is forced to include a product shot just because it helped fund the production.
Product placements aren’t new, and they’re forgivable when integrated naturally. Unfortunately, these moments feel more like advertisements that take viewers away from the story.
Still, there’s much to enjoy in ‘Minamahal’ if you’re willing to overlook its script’s lapses and not-so-subtle advertisements, thanks to the palpable chemistry between Andres and Ashtine – a pairing that makes this two-hour film worth watching in cinemas. Three stars out of five.