Why Richard and KC look good together?

Although the first movie team-up of Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion, For the First Time, had picturesque scenes in Santorini, Greece, had engaging performances by the lead stars and made money at the tills, I still have difficulty forgiving it because it didn’t even have a decent ending. Since no one knew how to wrap it up, the entire cast was just made to dance in the end and I was the one embarrassed for the veteran performers that included the highly-respected Phillip Salvador and Pilar Pilapil. No wonder Phillip kept referring to Baler as his comeback movie and not For the First Time — and I don’t blame him.

Richard and KC’s second team-up, When I Met U — to my extreme relief — doesn’t at all look like the rushed job that For the First Time was. Under the direction of Joel Lamangan, at least moviegoers are assured of a decent entertainment fare here in When I Met U.

In the story, Richard and KC get stranded on a deserted island for a night on their way to a wedding in Palawan. Even if there is initial dislike for each other in the beginning, they still end up having a romance (but, of course — this is a love story!).

The trouble is — they are committed to other people: Richard to Iya Villania and KC to Alfred Vargas. From the start there is already a doubt in Richard’s heart about his love for Iya and so we see that their relationship is brittle. From KC’s end, it is easy to understand why she had mixed feelings for Alfred: He is controlling, cold and has no sense of humor. In other words, he is boring.

Their problem is how to get out of their respective commitments so that they could be with each other without hurting other people. That is the main conflict of When I Met U.

Some of the devices used in the story to separate the pair are actually dated and had been done by the mother of Leonor Rivera when she broke her daughter’s romance with Jose Rizal. But instead of intercepting letters, it is the cell phone — with its texting device — that is used by the people who are against Richard and KC ending up with each other. For the viewer, that kind of mechanism used in the story is still acceptable because it adds up to the suspense on whether or not the two leads will end up with each other. Of course, I don’t even have to give you a hint on the outcome, but the interesting factor there is how they go about it — the emotional burdens they carry with them and the hardships they go through to fight for their love. 

Adding more layers to the twist and turns of the story are the characters of the secondary cast members. The coldness and the severe way with which Alfred deals with KC is believable. It also helps that Alfred is a good actor and you feel the iciness that envelops his person. No, he is not bad. He is just that way — cold. Other than that, he has endearing traits — like he is responsible and generous — and this is the reason why KC has second thoughts about breaking up with him. He may not excite you outright, but you’ll learn to appreciate him in time. And then, there is also his very kind grandmother, played by Perla Bautista, who gives another one of her inspired performances in spite of the shortness of the role.

On the part of Iya, I guess her fault is that she loved Richard too much and that could be suffocating. Again, that puts Richard in a quandary because here is a woman who loves you so why can’t you love her back? But love can be so mysterious and complicated — as demonstrated by the characters of Richard and KC, who again turn in wonderful performances.

Richard, for one, had always been a dependable actor — even early in his career. Under the guidance of Joel Lamangan, he delivers even better this time.

In the case of KC, she was already impressive in For the First Time. Here in When I Met U, she comes out like she is already a veteran. No, she doesn’t play a rich girl this time. But the way she attacks the role is convincing and she has good moments with her best friend in the film, Charisse Solomon, who gives a very energetic performance.

But surely, the most exciting scenes are the ones that have Richard and KC in them. They really look good together and have amazing chemistry between them — making When I Met U the perfect Valentine date movie.

I may be no fan of young love, but I daresay that their screen tandem — as proven by For the First Time and now When I Met U — could be an enduring love team that would stand the test of time.