Movie Review: I Love You To Death

Main Cast: Enchong Dee, Kiray Celis

Director: Miko Livelo

Rating: PG

Released By: Regal Entertainment Inc. 

Not a few have big expectations on this latest movie of young comedienne Kiray Celis  owing to the big success of  her first lead role opposite hunk actor Derek Ramsey via “Love is Blind” not too long ago. Her remarkable performance in that movie still rings, proving that her talent can prevail over lack of physical beauty.

"I Love You To Death" begins with the young Gwen and her childhood friend Tonton (Enchong) having fun while playing bride and groom in their hometown in the province. It was there that they made a vow that their love will be for keeps and that they will marry each other when they grow up.

Fast forward several years after, Gwen has lost contact with Tonton and she has gone to Manila for college where she enjoys the company of friends. She becomes the butt of jokes ‘though among her friends as she is the only one who is single among them.

Gwen is desperate for a boyfriend and wished it on her birthday to have one who will truly love her. Then from out of the blue, Tonton suddenly appears and offers her a marriage proposal. And he wants the wedding asap.

Without giving a hint as to his personal circumstance and sudden appearance, Tonton keeps everybody clueless about him. Except for some vague warning from her friend  who has psychic powers, Gwen is totally baffled about Tonton – but she loves him too much as to ignore everything.

Well, clueless, too, are the viewers who had to keep up with the confusing turn of events and crazy pacing.

The movie is your regular love story that is peppered with random comedy and lots of exaggerations both in acting and the trimmings that go with it with the goal to make an impact – and it did, albeit ridiculously.

Screenplay leaves a lot to be desired, with the story’s direction getting haywire. It’s supposed to be a love story but with nary a developing romance that happened. Instead, for the most part, Gwen’s life merely revolves around her friends where they are mostly in restaurants either eating, partying or just hanging out.

Noticeably, there are scenes that have no bearing to the story at all, seemingly hard to  justify why they are there in the first place.

Still, the viewer who’s armed with tons of patience stays on his seat, wanting to give it the benefit of the doubt, only to get wasted.

It was unfortunate since Kiray has proven herself to be an effective comedienne, could be an Aiai delas Alas in the making. She knows her craft, proud that her talent is bigger than her looks. She exudes such confidence in her Gwen character. Enchong’s unassuming allure would have been perfect for her if only it was played well.

Compared to her first major role in ‘Love is Blind‘, which was also produced by Regal, ‘I Love You to Death’ sadly fails to make the mark.

What it succeeds to convey is that true love will find its way no matter how weird and crazy the journey is – till life after death.  

In support roles are  Janice de Belen, Betong Sumaya, Michelle Vito, Devon Seron, Trina Legaspi, Shine Kuk, the movie is now showing in cinemas.