Certainly none of the characters will win any acting awards. Neither will the writing or direction. To kill a couple of hours without taxing your brain one iota, it's perfectly fine.
7 Reviews
Will not tax your brain
droche-4996617 March 2019
Between Playfulness and Themes
billygoat107124 January 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Bride For Rent seems like an interesting idea: conspiring a fake marriage and relationship between the two leads. It introduces the romp in a naturally fun way. The film works when it gets things silly, but predictably it ends up following the same mold of any generic romantic film. The concept also has the capability of building thematic drama within the structure. It might have provided a few surprises, but then it turns out to be a sudden distraction that sometimes forgets the comedy. Solid performances thankfully helped spicing things up and in which it is mildly entertaining. What the film just generally needs is to be less mediocre at telling the story.
The film actually has a great potential at the first half. It may not be as tricky as the plot needs, but it has a likable personality and sense of playfulness that may bring a little distinction to this ultimately stale genre. Of course, it always have to send some message beneath/ the absurdities, while that's good, it becomes awkward when it takes them too seriously. There is a sudden talk about honest marriage and stuff, but it doesn't help the film being compelling. It rather just stretches the runtime and halts whatever the intrigue the film sets up at the beginning. And obviously, you don't have to think twice what happens in the end. The problem is not that it's a cliché, but because it doesn't try to be clever and instead automatically jumps to a good conclusion.
However it doesn't fail making its characters memorable, probably because they're handled by great performers. Kim Chiu, as we already know, works best at comedies. She has the energy, the heart, and (alright, I'll say it) the cuteness that the role suggests. Xian Lim also gives an effective personality to his character. And every scene with Pilita Corales is always delightful. The filmmaking looks good enough, the colorful cinematography neatly fits to its quirky nature.
Bride For Rent is nothing more than a movie with two kinds of qualities: one is an ultimately likable comedy that creates a fun world of people who are crazy enough to fool around, and the other is a clunky drama about relationships. Its set of talents makes it reasonably entertaining while it also falls short of whatever the story deserves. The overall film is neither bad nor good. More improvement (and real humor) to the second-half would be nice to justify this concept, because it becomes nonexistent when it begins talking about the themes that doesn't even sound sincere for the plot.
The film actually has a great potential at the first half. It may not be as tricky as the plot needs, but it has a likable personality and sense of playfulness that may bring a little distinction to this ultimately stale genre. Of course, it always have to send some message beneath/ the absurdities, while that's good, it becomes awkward when it takes them too seriously. There is a sudden talk about honest marriage and stuff, but it doesn't help the film being compelling. It rather just stretches the runtime and halts whatever the intrigue the film sets up at the beginning. And obviously, you don't have to think twice what happens in the end. The problem is not that it's a cliché, but because it doesn't try to be clever and instead automatically jumps to a good conclusion.
However it doesn't fail making its characters memorable, probably because they're handled by great performers. Kim Chiu, as we already know, works best at comedies. She has the energy, the heart, and (alright, I'll say it) the cuteness that the role suggests. Xian Lim also gives an effective personality to his character. And every scene with Pilita Corales is always delightful. The filmmaking looks good enough, the colorful cinematography neatly fits to its quirky nature.
Bride For Rent is nothing more than a movie with two kinds of qualities: one is an ultimately likable comedy that creates a fun world of people who are crazy enough to fool around, and the other is a clunky drama about relationships. Its set of talents makes it reasonably entertaining while it also falls short of whatever the story deserves. The overall film is neither bad nor good. More improvement (and real humor) to the second-half would be nice to justify this concept, because it becomes nonexistent when it begins talking about the themes that doesn't even sound sincere for the plot.
A light-hearted rom-com with the usual story
Abdulxoxo9 January 2021
The story is pretty standard, and there's no denying that it's very predicable, it involves the usual romance, family dealings, and a bit of comedy. The movie felt rushed at times, the resolution of the main conflict is too easy and rushed. The acting is mostly competent, Kim Chiu is cute but she's over-the-top at times, and the chemistry between her and her co-star isn't that striking. The most poignant part of the movie is the interviews of different couples married for various lengths of time, they are moving and shows you what true love is all about. I also like the colorful cinematography and the soundtrack is quite nice.
A Trust Mistrusted - Bride For Rent Review
guerrierpoeticus22 January 2014
Warning: Spoilers
From Market Market Taguig to Glorietta Cinemas, we were a bit disappointed that the fourth day of Bride For Rent in the cinemas still shows long lines (and I mean looonnngg lines) and full-packed movie theaters. We ended up watching the film the next day at SM Megamall instead.
My initial impression of the movie would be romantic comedy. It turns out to be combination of romantic - comedy plus drama.
The story started with Rocco (Xian Lim) a playboy who does not believe in commitment, was indebted and needed the release of his trust fund to finance an advertising project and to pay a debt from the casino. Unfortunately, the said fund can only be released if this bachelor will get married hence, hired Rocky/Raquelita (Kim Chiu) to pose as bride.
The plot heats up when the bogus wedding that they arranged was supplemented with true feelings of love.
Xian's character maybe a bit exaggerated at the start of the movie especially with the comedy part where he tends to put some extra effort to be funny but tended to be a great acting when it comes to drama and romance.
Kim Chiu on the other hand was consistent with her acting to her past projects. Her acting on this film maybe 90% compared to her "My Binondo Girl" project. Hilarious but poised Kim Chiu did well on this movie.
Though the finale was rushed. There should have been more spice during the forgiveness and courtship before real wedding took place. But all in all, the movie was well presented in a manner that touched every movie goer's heart to tears.
My initial impression of the movie would be romantic comedy. It turns out to be combination of romantic - comedy plus drama.
The story started with Rocco (Xian Lim) a playboy who does not believe in commitment, was indebted and needed the release of his trust fund to finance an advertising project and to pay a debt from the casino. Unfortunately, the said fund can only be released if this bachelor will get married hence, hired Rocky/Raquelita (Kim Chiu) to pose as bride.
The plot heats up when the bogus wedding that they arranged was supplemented with true feelings of love.
Xian's character maybe a bit exaggerated at the start of the movie especially with the comedy part where he tends to put some extra effort to be funny but tended to be a great acting when it comes to drama and romance.
Kim Chiu on the other hand was consistent with her acting to her past projects. Her acting on this film maybe 90% compared to her "My Binondo Girl" project. Hilarious but poised Kim Chiu did well on this movie.
Though the finale was rushed. There should have been more spice during the forgiveness and courtship before real wedding took place. But all in all, the movie was well presented in a manner that touched every movie goer's heart to tears.
Known plot.. But still a feel good movie!
naren-reviews15 June 2021
A well known plot... but the charming of the main characters and light-hearted romance make you watch it though you know where the story goes.
Pros: Lead actors and their chemistry, light-hearted rom-com, the female lead character.
Cons: Acting of other characters were so animatic, but still ok, known plot.
It doesn't matter how many ways people have made Cinderella story, people still watch it that makes them feel good. So, known plot is not an issue here. Watch it just to be free from hectic time going around (writing in 2021). Btw, my first Filipino movie and it was good. Yeah!!! Isn't it amazing? Isn't it surprising? Isn't it exciting? ;-)
Pros: Lead actors and their chemistry, light-hearted rom-com, the female lead character.
Cons: Acting of other characters were so animatic, but still ok, known plot.
It doesn't matter how many ways people have made Cinderella story, people still watch it that makes them feel good. So, known plot is not an issue here. Watch it just to be free from hectic time going around (writing in 2021). Btw, my first Filipino movie and it was good. Yeah!!! Isn't it amazing? Isn't it surprising? Isn't it exciting? ;-)
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