Who’s the most Gifted of them all?

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from the box-office success of its youth-oriented rom-com, Talk Back and You’re Dead, comes Viva Films’ newest release, the comedy The Gifted, starring Anne Curtis, Sam Milby and Cristine Reyes.

Written and directed by Chris Martinez, The Gifted reunites former sweethearts Anne and Sam on the big screen four years since their controversial real-life breakup.

? It likewise brings back Anne and Cristine in a major Viva vehicle after their marked solo stints in the blockbuster Viva adult drama No Other Woman. This also marks Anne’s movie comeback after a two-year hiatus.

In The Gifted, Anne and Cristine essay roles fans have never seen them before.

Anne is Zoe Tuason, a rich, overweight “brat” ready enough to take risks to achieve her goals, especially if they involve her “frenemy,” Aica (Cristine).

Meanwhile, Cristine is Aica Tabayoyong, a poor, nerdy student who has a bad case of teenage acne and wears the thickest eyeglasses in class. 

A campus scholar, Aica falls in love with dashing athlete-classmate, Mark Ferrer (Sam), who seems to also be Zoe’s object of affection. The best friends grow up to be bitter rivals for Mark’s love and attention.

Deep in competition, Zoe and Aica each undergo cosmetic surgery to become ravishing vixens determined at putting one over the other.

Shooting went on with much challenge for both Anne and Cristine. Anne’s character required her to wear a fat suit and prosthetics for most part of the movie. It was her first time to do so that the experience proved uncomfortable.

The finished product is something film enthusiasts, particularly those who go for dark comedy, must not miss.

The Gifted opens in theaters nationwide on Sept. 3. Premiere night is scheduled on Sept. 2, 6 p.m., at the Glorietta 4 Cinema 3 and at the SM Megamall Cinema 9, 8 p.m. It will have mall shows at SM Fairview and Glorietta Activity Center tomorrow, Aug. 31 at 5 and 7 p.m., respectively.

International screenings have also been lined up on Sept. 12 in Los Angeles (Cerritos Stadium 10, Ontario Place Stadium 18, UA Horton Plaza 14, North Hollywood 8 & Orange Stadium Promenade 25); Washington (Parkway Plaza Stadium 12); Hawaii (Dole Cannery & Stadium 18); Nevada (Village Square Stadium 18 & Century River Park 16 in Oxnard); San Francisco (Milpitas Great Mall 20, 25 Union Landing, Vallejo 14 & Century Laguna 16 Elk Grove); San Diego (UA Horton Plaza 14); Las Vegas (Village Square Stadium 18); Virginia (Military Circle 18); Texas (Legacy 24, Tinseltown USA 290); Florida (Cinemark Festival Bay 20); Hanover Maryland (Cinemark Egyptian 24); and New York (Movie World, Douglaston NY).

For more info on The Gifted, visit the official website: www.viva.com.ph or the official Facebook page facebook.com/VIVAFilms.