Unbreakable (2019 Filipino film)

Unbreakable
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMae Cruz-Alviar
Screenplay byVanessa R. Valdez
Additional:
Mae Cruz-Alviar
Story byVanessa R. Valdez
Based onAn original screenplay
by Kris Ann dela Peña, Patrick R. Valencia and Vanessa R. Valdez
Produced byMarizel Samson-Martinez (supervising)
Starring
CinematographyHermann Claravall
Edited byBeng Bandong
Music byCesar Francis Concio
Production
company
Distributed byStar Cinema
Release date
  • 27 November 2019 (2019-11-27)
CountryPhilippines
LanguagesFilipino, English
Box office₱120 million

Unbreakable is a 2019 Filipino romantic drama film directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar starring Angelica Panganiban, Bea Alonzo and Richard Gutierrez. The film was released to mixed-to-positive reviews but the over dramatization in the story was criticised.[1]

Plot

2005

Then aged-18, Mariel Salvador and Deena Yambao become friends in college. While Mariel is an IT major, Deena is more impulsive and keeps changing majors and is insistent on having a boyfriend. No matter what happened in life, they vowed to maintain their friendship.

2012

Mariel is set to marry photographer-cum-businessman Justin Saavedra. Deena, who eventually became a nurse in Norway, goes to a wedding in the Philippines as a maid of honour where she meets Justin's brother Bene Saavedra. Issues arise when Justin and Bene's mother, Helen Saavedra takes a liking for Deena while having a grudge against Mariel.

Whether their desires in love affect their friendship form the rest of the story.[1]

Cast

  • Angelica Panganiban as Deena Yambao
  • Bea Alonzo as Mariel Salvador
  • Richard Gutierrez as Justin Saavedra, Mariel's ex-husband. He is the father of Mareena, Deena's daughter
  • Ian Veneracion as Bene Saavedra, Justin's older brother who married Deena. He was killed in a plane crash
  • Rosanna Roces as Janice Salvador, Mariel's mother
  • Gloria Diaz as Helen Saavedra, mother of Justin and Bene
  • Via Antonio as Sarah
  • PJ Endrinal as Pochoy
  • Allan Paule as Dodi, Mariel's father
  • Issa Litton as Cara
  • Joao Constancia as Alfred Salvador, Mariel's one of younger brothers
  • Anthony Jennings as Mark Salvador, Mariel's one of younger brothers
    • Luke Alford as young Mark
  • Keagan de Jesus as TJ
    • Robbie Wachtel as young TJ
  • Kit Thompson as Kiko
  • Victor Silayan as Luke
  • Xia Vigor as Mareena, Deena's daughter with Justin and Mariel's goddaughter
  • Regine Tolentino as Mariel's boss
  • Allan Villafuerte as Drew
  • Marnie Lapus as Dr. Evalle
  • Raul Montesa as doctor
  • Mitchie Ann Vinluan as Michelle (Helen's PA)

Reception

A critic from Rappler wrote that "Unbreakable uses low-brow tragedy as a crutch. It is so desperate for sobs that it injects its storyline with the most unimaginative of devices. The film verges on being totally shameless".[2] A critic from Cosmopolitan wrote that "Unbreakable is not a perfect film though" and concluded that "overall, I would say this movie is outstanding and definitely a must-watch for every Cosmo girl and her best girl friends".[3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Friends turn into foes in the film "Unbreakable"". ABS-CBN Entertainment. 10 December 2019.
  2. ^ Villano, Alexa (December 2, 2019). "'Unbreakable' review: Desperate for tears". Rapper. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "An Honest Review Of 'Unbreakable'". COSMO.PH. December 2, 2019.