I almost did not watch the movie, “For the First Time”, directed by Joyce Bernal and starring KC Concepcion (as Sophia) and Richard Gutierrez (as Seth or Alex) because earlier I had the impression that there was no chemistry between KC and Richard as they were guesting on TV and promoting the movie. But a lot of friends and readers have been asking me how it was and waiting for my review. Some were disappointed to learn that I did not intend to watch the movie. But the opportunity came, my 3 girls, 2 boys and mother were available Thursday afternoon, so we decided to watch the movie.
And boy, I can say–spending a thousand bucks for the movie plus a few hundreds for snacks were all worth it. KC and Richard, plus all the other supporting characters gave their utmost best.
KC was perfect for her role as Sophia–she can cry, get angry, laugh, get drunk, fall in love, be broken-hearted, a trying hard executive and daughter, be sorry–naturally (though sometimes theatrical and this is forgivable, she will be better in her next movie). The audience’s hearts go out for her. There was just too much shouting and ranting, though, which could have at least been trimmed down. Now, one cannot expect that her performance be as flawless as Sharon Cuneta’s, it’s her first movie performance after all, but she captivated the audience with her performance.
Richard was so good looking, reminiscent of a young Eddie Gutierrez, he did not even have to act to make his presence felt, and the audience’s eyes would still be glued to the screen! But act he did–a playboy, a man scorned, a man afraid to lose his identity, a man in love–thanks to the dialogues and continuity of the story, there never were dull moments. I even heard one of my daughters say “Manood na kaya tayo ng Channel 7?!”, our family being true blue Kapamilyas! Oh, borrowing Richard from GMA7 must be a wrong move, if this were the reaction of many Kapamilyas who watched the movie, becoming Kapusos in the process.
Sharon Cuneta and Annabel Rama should really be proud of their daughter and son, respectively, for their acting prowess in this movie.
A KC-Richard tandem works, I was mistaken about my earlier perception–they have chemistry, they found a match in each other (better than a Richard-Angel Locsin tandem). Richard looks a lot better in the big screen than on TV (where I thought his features were too sharp for a Filipino fan’s taste).
The bonus–Santorini island in Greece is so beautiful, a sight to behold, picture perfect, postcard material–you would not want to take your eyes off the screen, so as not to miss any detail. Santorini Island is where Hollywood movies Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Mamma Mia! were was filmed. After watching the movie, one cannot say, “Greece is all Greek to me”, as somehow, one is given a glimpse of Greek tradition, a sampling of Greek island life, and its people.
The storyline–light to heavy drama, romance, with a sprinkle of comedy, a story of a father and daughter, families, friendships, corporate life, expectations and responsibilities.
I will not spoil your fun. I will just say that all in all, the movie exceeded my expectation. I will not compare it with the other Star Cinema productions, but I will give it a rating of 4.5 (5 being the highest).
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34 responses so far ↓
Gypsy // Aug 29, 2008 at 5:35 am
Oh, I missed a good movie then! Anyway, there’s always the DVDs to fall back on. I have always liked KC, but have never seen her act before since I am in the UK and missed her TV dramas..
kyels // Aug 29, 2008 at 10:05 am
You make me want to watch this movie now Tita pero they won’t show here so I might need to wait for the DVDs to be released and ask someone to send it over or just do illegal downloads!
By the way, KC’s really beautiful and Richard is oh-so-hot!
kyels // Aug 29, 2008 at 10:16 am
Another thing – I really loved his acting in The Promise.
Meris Westfall // Aug 29, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Thank you! I must say, the first time I heard that Richard is going to be her leading man for her first movie I had the same impression but now seeing them together promoting the film I ended up liking them together.
christie // Aug 30, 2008 at 1:37 pm
I hated the movie. The script is ridiculous. When Richard started making speeches about love I almost vomited in my mouth. And when KC tried to be funny/cry/angry (or tried to act in general) I was really embarrassed for her.
Never mind the money my friends and I spent on it, it was a waste of time.
Micamyx // Aug 30, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I am one of those individuals who waited for your review hehe
Hmmmm… I am a big fan of the Richard-Angel tandem, but I would also love to see KC and Chard together and ok sige na nga, ang habol ko talaga yung Greece wehehe
tara // Aug 31, 2008 at 12:30 am
Hello..Good to hear that the film is good. Hopefully I’ll get to watch it at some point. Can I just say though that Mama Mia was not filmed in Santorini but in Skopelos, yet another beautiful Greek island where until now, not many foreign tourists go (no airport etc) but very popular with the Greeks.
Tara
julie // Aug 31, 2008 at 1:23 am
I didn’t think they will work well on screen but judging by the reactions of the people, I might as well accept it, even if I ave not seen the movie yet
By the way, we are a household Kapamilya viewers too
eklavu cheverlu // Aug 31, 2008 at 9:22 am
the movie was totally a disaster! i must say!!!
Rach (Heart of Rachel) // Aug 31, 2008 at 11:26 pm
I saw the trailer and I think it’s a feel-good romantic movie.
Greece is such a beautiful and romantic place. I wish I could go there someday.
munchkin // Sep 1, 2008 at 3:23 am
i love the kc-richard tandem…its more than chemistry…its love..they’re amazing together. The movie is a combination of the many aspects in life one may face..family, friendship, career, and of course love life…and its not the typical super drama and kasalan ending…the movie is like a breathe of fresh air.
Di // Sep 1, 2008 at 5:38 am
I enjoy watching KC on the small screen and now I am so looking forward to watch her first movie here in Seattle!! Thanks so much for the good review!
edelweiza // Sep 2, 2008 at 4:44 pm
i also watched and loved this movie!
Nina // Sep 3, 2008 at 3:18 pm
The movie was terrible, really B-A-D.
KC is beautiful, Richard doesnt look bad himself. Santorini was picturesque, the bags and clothes of KC were nice. Other than that, you are wasting your money on a movie with bad camera angles, bad screenplay, the worst script, a common storyline, bad casting, bad acting, too annoying scenes of wailing, fighting and crying that do not touch the viewer’s emotions, and bad chemistry – between the love team, KC and Richard, they are not a match, not hot at all.
Sayang. I rate this a 1 (5 being the highest). I advice everyone to just watch (if you have not) John Lloyd and Sarah Geronimo’s A VERY SPECIAL LOVE. It got a 5-rating and run full-pack in movie houses for 3 long weeks.
This KC and Richard starrer is only in its 2nd week and there are no lines anymore. Sayang talaga.
Anna // Sep 3, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I watched the movie because of KC, I am curious to see her first movie onscreen. The story was common, mababaw but I just have to admit that I really admire KC’s beauty, she’s gorgeous!
marcky // Sep 4, 2008 at 1:26 pm
…did you watched “a very special love”? if you, pls give me the comparison?!? if theres a reason why some people said that ftft is more interesting than avsl when it comes in story!..
may tamayo // Sep 9, 2008 at 3:05 am
kc and richard look good together. they have best qualities and talent to stay in show business. that is why there first movie was so successful and really beautiful story! wish to have another movie…
mrsuave // Sep 10, 2008 at 11:22 pm
The acting was bad. Sayang.
Buti nalang nandun si Candy.
AVSL is way better.
honest opinion lang po.
miyaya // Sep 14, 2008 at 3:25 pm
The movie sucks! KC is so annoying and richard is just fine, nothing special. I just wasted my time watching that ridiculous movie. haha..
joy // Sep 26, 2008 at 7:17 am
very common naman yung story. ampanget ng trailer, parang mas bagay pa sila ni HEART(=. magaling kasing magarte si heart sa asero.[=.,/
sarah // Oct 22, 2008 at 12:35 am
pangit ang movie. as in! super pangit. maganda lang ang greece , mukha ni richard and kc.yun lang. the rest pangit na pati ang script, acting. si candy pangilinan ang nagdala ng movie sarah’s movie was so much better.
sarah // Oct 22, 2008 at 12:38 am
i agree with nina. when i watched the movie on its second week at robinsons,pagpasok namin mga ten lang ang nasa loob ng sinehan including us. then umabot ng mga 30 people lang hanngang matapos ang movie.
Ana3173 // Nov 2, 2008 at 6:21 am
i admire KC because shes beautiful and humble but the movie s really dissapointing. i like the loveteam richard and kc pero the pag-utot scene is not needed which is really embarrasing for KC. she can act at mas gagaling pa sya. pero sana pilian sya ng mas maganda gandang script. the place santorini greece is very romantic place yun lng.
theresa // Nov 8, 2008 at 9:45 am
gwapo tlga xia
rennan lim // Nov 22, 2008 at 7:38 pm
galing n’yo hangang hanga ako sa inyo….
KC Concepcion // Jan 10, 2009 at 8:06 pm
a very nice preview indeed. i also watched the movie and its great esp for a KC Concepcion fanatic like me.
Aabangan ko next movie nila and also yung kay papa Piolo na movie and TV show nila
sasuke // Jul 3, 2009 at 9:09 am
bagay kayo tlga richard at kc promise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! kakilig grabe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sasuke // Jul 3, 2009 at 9:12 am
hello!!! to everyone . Bagay kayo talaga sina richard at kc kaysa kay piolo honest!!!!kakakilig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! joke! joke! joke! !!!samga fans ni piolo!waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Miss You Like Crazy (a movie review…10 days after) | The D Spot // Mar 7, 2010 at 1:40 pm
[...] What do I remember of the past Filipino movies I watched, except the breathtaking view of a Greek Island of the Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion movie, the rain dance of Sara Geronimo and what else? My brain won’t work. Is it just senior [...]
gb-joy // Mar 21, 2010 at 8:47 pm
katatapos ko lang panuurin at masaya ako..^^
gb-joy // Mar 21, 2010 at 8:47 pm
For the first time I am looking in your eyes
For the first time I’m seein’ who you are
I can’t believe how much I see
When you’re lookin’ back at me
Now I understand why love is…
Love is… for the first time…
Such a long time ago
I had given up on findin’ this emotion…
Ever again
But you live with me now
Yes I’ve found you some how
And I’ve never been so sure
gb-joy // Mar 21, 2010 at 8:48 pm
nakakakilig talaga.. i enjoyed watching it ..^^
mund // Jul 31, 2010 at 6:06 pm
i really love the movie.. .and i love KC too..hehehe.. hope seeing her for another movie that will inspire a lot of people…
Sam // Dec 14, 2010 at 10:14 am
Terrible movie.
Awful acting.
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