Beauty and the Bestie

Last updated

Beauty and the Bestie
Beauty and the Bestie official movie poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Wenn V. Deramas
Screenplay byMel Mendoza-Del Rosario
Story byEnrico Santos
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyElmer Despa
Edited byMarya Ignacio
Music by Vincent de Jesus
Production
companies
Distributed by Star Cinema
Release date
  • December 25, 2015 (2015-12-25)
Running time
119 minutes [1]
Country Philippines
Language Filipino
Box office 529 million [2] (US$10.5 million)

Beauty and the Bestie is a 2015 Filipino action comedy film directed by Wenn V. Deramas, starring Vice Ganda and Coco Martin, alongside James Reid and Nadine Lustre. It is an official entry to the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival. [3] [4]

Contents

It was produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions and VIVA Films and was released nationwide under the banner of Star Cinema. It was also released overseas in cities that have a significant Filipino population. It is the seventh highest-grossing Filipino film of all time, as of 2023. [5] This is Wenn V. Deramas' last film before his death on February 29, 2016, and last film as a co-production between Star Cinema and Viva Films in preparation for the co-production between TV5 and Viva in 2016 until it was revoked before the launch of Finally Found Someone. [6] The film's title is a play on the 1740 French novel by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve.

Plot

Erika is struggling to make money running a photography studio to support her family. The problem is exacerbated when her nephew is diagnosed with a rare condition that may lead to blindness. One day, her former best friend Emman suddenly shows up. Emman works for the Elite Super Secret Task Force, a spy agency tasked with the security of an upcoming beauty pageant. Erika happens to look exactly like Ms. Uzeklovakia, who was abducted by terrorists led by a Japanese Yakuza named Daemon Yu and their Korean right-hand man, Jin Jhong.

Emman asks Erika to pretend to be Ms. Uzeklovakia while the agency searches for the real deal. Erika is still resentful from the way she fell out with Emman and takes on the task in exchange for help caring for her family. Aside from all this, Erika's younger sister Abi and Emman's half-brother Tristan meet and end up falling in love. Erika must deal with their feelings for their former best friend while fending off terrorists and dealing with their worry about Abi's budding romance.

Before the Q&A portion of the coronation night, Erika encounters the real Ms. Uzeklovakia after she manages to escape from her kidnappers. She is disgusted by their scent until she is intercepted by Emman and their friends in order to secure her from the terrorists. With that Erika continues to pose as Ms. Uzeklovakia until she wins the pageant. They are soon interrupted by the terrorists who try to kill the Erika and Daemon manages to kidnap them aboard a helicopter thinking they were Ms. Uzeklovakia. Emman eventually intercepts the helicopter. As Erika and Daemon fight, Emman manages to finally kill Daemon in time as Erika falls onto the ledge of the helicopter. Erika takes Emman's hand and finally reconcile until he drops Erika's hand and falls into the ocean which Emman follows them.

Emman makes CPR on Erika after rescuing her and soon reunites with her family. After the incident, the father of Ms. Uzeklovakia, the Uzeklovakian prime minister thanks Emman and Erika for saving his daughter.

The movie ends where both Emman and Erika are eating fishballs from a vendor when both sense their shades were detonators, which explodes as they head to their next mission.

Cast

Main cast

Vice Ganda in Toronto 2014 02.jpg
Vice Ganda portrays Eric "Erika" Albano Villavicencio and Natalia Thalia Nutreila.
James Reid and Nadine Lustre (cropped).jpg
James Reid portrays Tristan Adams.

Supporting cast

Additional cast

Release

The film was released nationwide on December 25, 2015, as an official entry to the 41st Metro Manila Film Festival. It was also released around the world on cities that have significant Filipino population except in the Middle East where the film was censored due to the region's predominantly Islamic religion.

Marketing

The teaser trailer of the film was released on YouTube on November 28, 2015, followed by its official trailer on December 4, 2015. This was followed by extensive TV spots on ABS-CBN network and its sister cable channels. It was also heavily promoted on the social media accounts of Star Cinema, VIVA, ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries including Vice Ganda's official Facebook account where he has over 12 million likes. A special dedicated page was also created by Star Cinema on its official website.

Music

The official theme song of the film is a cover of Jolina Magdangal's 90's hit "Chuva Choo Choo" which was relyricized and sung by Vice Ganda. [7]

Reception

Box office

The Metro Manila Film Festival committee did not disclose the official breakdown of the box office gross for each film, instead, they released the total box office gross of all the films in the festival and listed the top four films in no particular order. From the beginning to the end of the festival, Beauty and the Bestie was consistently included on the list of the top 4 grossing films, the other being My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore, Haunted Mansion, and #WalangForever. GMA Films on the other hand reported that their film My Bebe Love was the highest-grossing film during the opening day with an earning of 60.4 million pesos. All other studios and distributors did not disclose their respective opening day gross. The Metro Manila Film Festival committee's reason for not disclosing the gross box office breakdown for each film was "to protect the other four film entries that did not make it on the top four." By January 7, 2016, the official closing of the festival, the film has grossed 428 million pesos making it the highest-grossing film in the 41st Metro Manila Film Festival. On January 25, 2016, the film has grossed 526 million pesos domestically, making it, at the time, the highest grossing Filipino film in domestic box office and the second highest grossing Filipino film of all time behind only A Second Chance .

Critical response

Beauty and the Bestie received mixed reviews from critics with many praising the humor, stunts, and other action sequences while criticizing the story and the acting.

Movies In the Philippines in a review have given the film a rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars stating, "The film's comedy works the same but thankfully, adding Coco Martin to its story makes it watchable as he's character drives the narrative in a convincing way." the critic added "The good thing about Beauty and the Bestie is that it doesn’t rely much on satirical comedy or other out-of-nowhere input to the story just to make things fun or make fun of things." [8] Oggs Cruz of Rappler.com commented that, "Beauty and the Bestie is a whole lot of everything resulting to nothing", but he also added, "However, when the film becomes true to the fact that it is just a medley of punchlines, it sort of works. There are lengthy bits in the film that are truly funny. It surely helps that Vice Ganda is a very capable comedian who can use both his wit and his awkwardly masculine frame to deliver jokes that render parts of the film worthwhile." [9] Philberty Dy of ClickTheCity rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stating, "It just gets sillier and sillier, and that's a good way to go." and "Beauty and the Bestie thrives on Absurdity" [10]

Controversies

Ticket swapping incident

On the opening day of the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival, several moviegoers raised concerns on social media that the tickets they bought for another MMFF movie, My Bebe Love:#KiligPaMore were misprinted. Instead, their tickets had the title of Beauty and the Bestie. This was confirmed by Jose Javier Reyes on Twitter. [11] In the official Twitter account of SM Cinema, it tweeted that there was indeed a mistake in the tickets but the tweets were removed. [12] However, on December 26, 2015, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the organizer of the festival, denied the accusations involving this incident. [13] They added that the accusations were baseless and stated that fans should "be responsible in expressing their sentiments especially on social media." [14] Wenn Deramas, director of Beauty and the Bestie, was skeptical about the ticket swapping incident and countered the claims of those moviegoers. [12]

Accolades

AwardCategoryRecipientResult
41st Metro Manila Film Festival [15] Best Child Performer Alonzo Muhlach Nominated
Marco MasaNominated
47th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards [16] Phenomenal Box-Office Star Vice Ganda Won
Coco Martin Won
Most Popular Screenwriter Wenn Deramas Won
Most Popular Film DirectorWenn DeramasWon

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ai-Ai delas Alas</span> Filipina actress and comedian

Martina Eileen Hernandez delas Alas-Sibayan, known professionally as Ai-Ai delas Alas, is a Filipina singer, actress, and comedian. She is widely regarded as the country's "Queen of Comedy " of her generation for her comedic talent and best known for her role in the film Ang Tanging Ina (2003), which became a blockbuster hit. On account of the film's popularity, a television series spin-off was produced, as well as three sequels: Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat (2008), Ang Tanging Ina Mo (2010) and Enteng ng Ina Mo (2011), with delas Alas reprising her role. She also appeared in the comedy film Our Mighty Yaya, which premiered on May 10, 2017, through Regal Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metro Manila Film Festival</span> Philippine film festival

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is an annual film festival organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority and held nationwide in the Philippines. The festival, which runs from Christmas Day through New Year's Day and into first weekend of January in the following year, focuses on Filipino produced films. During the course of the festival, movie theaters show only films that are approved by its jurors and exclude foreign films except in 3D theaters and IMAX theaters. It is one of the two Filipino major film festivals to exclude foreign films in a week-long period, the other being the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino happening during August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coco Martin</span> Filipino actor (born 1981)

Rodel Pacheco Nacianceno, known as Coco Martin, is a Filipino actor, film director and screenwriter. Known for his performances in action and romantic drama, he is one of the most awarded Filipino actors of the 21st century. His accolades include an ASEAN International Film Festival and Award, two FAMAS Awards, two Gawad Urian Awards, ten PMPC Star Awards for Television and eight Box Office Entertainment Awards. Martin's films have grossed ₱2.3 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing box office stars of all time. Tatler Asia named him one of the most influential Filipino personalities in Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wenn V. Deramas</span> Filipino director and scriptwriter

Edwin Villanes Deramas, more commonly known as Direk Wenn or Wenn V. Deramas, was a Filipino film and TV director and screenwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vice Ganda</span> Filipino comedian, actor, and television personality (born 1976)

Jose Marie Borja Viceral, known professionally as Vice Ganda, is a Filipino comedian, actor, host, singer and television personality. He is considered one of the most successful entertainers in Philippine show business, noted for his stand-up routines, usage of observational comedy, situational irony and sarcasm in pertaining to Filipino culture and human sexuality. He is a regular host on ABS-CBN's noontime variety show It's Showtime and has starred in four of the top 10 highest-grossing films in Philippine cinema.

<i>The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin</i> 2011 film by Wenn V. Deramas

The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin is a 2011 Filipino action comedy parody film directed by Wenn V. Deramas. It stars Vice Ganda in the title role, alongside Eddie Garcia, Nikki Valdez, Vandolph Quizon, Derek Ramsay, and Jimmy Santos in their supporting roles. It is based on the 1980 comedy film Private Benjamin. A sequel, The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin, was released in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Metro Manila Film Festival</span> Annual Philippine Festival edition

The 38th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is a part of the annual film festival in Metro Manila, Philippines held from December 25, 2012 until January 8, 2013. During the festival, no foreign films are shown in Philippine theaters in order to showcase locally produced films.

The 43rd Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation Box Office Entertainment Awards (GMMSF-BOEA) is a part of the annual awards in the Philippines held on April 29, 2012. The award-giving body honors Filipino actors, actresses and other performers' commercial success, regardless of artistic merit, in the Philippine entertainment industry.

<i>The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin</i> 2014 film by Wenn V. Deramas

The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin is a 2014 Philippine action comedy parody film written and directed by Wenn V. Deramas. It is the sequel to the 2011 film The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin. The film is one of the official entries to the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival. Vice Ganda reprised his role as Colonel Benjamin "Benjie" Santos VIII together with a supporting cast Richard Yap, Tom Rodriguez, Bimby Yap and introducing Alex Gonzaga with the special participation of Eddie Garcia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Metro Manila Film Festival</span> 2015 film festival edition

The 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is the 41st edition of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival held in Metro Manila and throughout the Philippines. It organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA, a government agency. During the festival, no foreign films are shown in Philippine theaters.

<i>My Bebe Love: KiligPaMore</i> 2015 Filipino film

My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore is a 2015 Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Jose Javier Reyes, starring Ai-Ai delas Alas and Vic Sotto with Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. It is an official entry to the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival produced by Octo Arts Films, M-Zet Productions, APT Entertainment, GMA PICTURES, and MEDA Productions. The film follows the love–hate relationship story between Vito Carillo (Sotto) and Corazon Talatala and the growing relationship between star-crossed lovers Dondi Talatala (Richards) and Anna Carillo (Mendoza).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Metro Manila Film Festival</span> Annual Philippine Festival edition

The 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is the 42nd edition of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival held in Metro Manila and throughout the Philippines. It is organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). This is the first time that the festival committee required producers to submit either picture lock versions or finished films, instead of screenplays in previous editions. During the festival, no foreign films are shown in Philippine theaters (except IMAX, 4D, and large format 3D theaters), however there are some non-MMFF entries like The Super Parental Guardians, and Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers shown on SM Cinema branches.

The 47th Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation Box Office Entertainment Awards (GMMSF-BOEA), honored the personalities, movies and TV programs in the Philippines, and took place on April 17, 2016, at the Novotel Grand Ballroom, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City. The award-giving body honors Filipino actors, actresses and other performers' commercial success, regardless of artistic merit, in the Philippine entertainment industry. The awards night was aired on ABS-CBN's "Sunday Best" on May 1, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vice Ganda filmography</span>

Vice Ganda is a Filipino comedian, actor, reality show judge, television host, and recording artist.

<i>The Super Parental Guardians</i> 2016 Filipino film

The Super Parental Guardians is a 2016 Philippine action comedy film starring Vice Ganda and Coco Martin. The film is directed by Joyce Bernal and is under the production of Star Cinema. The film marks the second feature film collaboration between Coco and Vice after Beauty and the Bestie. This is Vice Ganda's first film without the involvement of VIVA Films and the first to be directed by Bernal since Wenn V. Deramas' death in February 2016. This also marks as Vice Ganda's first non-MMFF movie, together with Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers since This Guy's in Love with U Mare! in 2012.

The 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is the 45th edition of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival held in Metro Manila and throughout the Philippines. It is organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). During the festival, no foreign films are shown in Philippine theaters (except IMAX and 4D theaters).

<i>Partners in Crime</i> (2022 film) 2022 Filipino film

Partners in Crime is a 2022 Philippine action-adventure comedy film starring Vice Ganda and Ivana Alawi. The film is directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina and is under the production of Star Cinema and Viva Films. It was one of the official entries for 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival and was released on December 25, 2022. The film has earned a total of ₱168 million at the box-office, becoming the second highest grossing Philippine film of 2022.

References

  1. "BEAUTY AND THE BESTIE (12A)". British Board of Film Classification . January 5, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  2. "ABS-CBN 1Q 2016 Investor's Briefing Presentation Materials" (PDF). ABS-CBN Corporation. May 12, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 8, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  3. "Official MMFF 2015 entries revealed". CNN Philippines. June 20, 2015. Archived from the original on June 20, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  4. "MMDA announces revised list of MMFF 2015 movies". GMA News and Public Affairs. September 13, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  5. "Beauty and the Bestie breaks A Second Chance PH record". ABS-CBNnews.com. January 13, 2016.
  6. "Director Wenn Deramas passes away at 49". CNN Philippines. February 29, 2016. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  7. "Vice Ganda Sings "Chuva Choo Choo" on ASAP" ABS-CBN Entertainment . Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  8. "Movie review: Beauty and the Bestie 2015 movie review". Movies in the Philippines. January 15, 2016.
  9. Cruz, Oggs (January 15, 2016). "MMFF 2015: Beauty and the Bestie movie review". Rappler .
  10. Dy, Philberty (January 15, 2016). "Beauty and the Bestie thrives on absurdity". ClickTheCity.com.
  11. "'My Bebe Love' director warns AlDub fans vs. MMFF ticket swapping". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  12. 1 2 Sallan, Edwin (26 December 2015). "'My Bebe Love', 'Beauty and the Bestie' directors cry foul over 'ticket swapping scandal'". InterAksyon . Philippines. Archived from the original on 28 December 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  13. "MMFF Statement Released on December 26,... - Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Official | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  14. "MMFF: No ticket-swapping incidents, allegations baseless". GMA News Online. GMA Network Inc. December 26, 2015. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  15. Smith, Chuck. "Winners: 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival awards night". Philippine Star. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  16. Calderon, Nora (February 21, 2016). "John Lloyd, Bea, Vice, Coco, Vic, Ai-Ai lead winners at the Box Office Entertainment Awards". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved February 21, 2016.