Never Not Love You

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Never Not Love You
Never Not Love You (2018).jpg
Theatrical film poster
Directed by Antoinette Jadaone
Written byAntoinette Jadaone
Produced byVic del Rosario Jr.
Starring
Cinematography
  • Mycko David
  • Carlos Mauricio
Edited byBenjamin S. Tolentino
Music byArlene Flerida Calvo
Production
companies
Distributed byViva Films
Release date
  • March 31, 2018 (2018-03-31)
Running time
100-105 minutes [1]
CountryPhilippines
Languages
  • Filipino
  • English
Box office₱92 million [2]

Never Not Love You is a 2018 Filipino romantic drama film written and directed by Antoinette Jadaone, starring James Reid and Nadine Lustre. [3] The film tells the story of Gio (Reid) and Joanne (Lustre) whose young, carefree, and reckless love is tested when their dreams take them in different directions.

Contents

The film was produced by Viva Films in collaboration with Project 8 Projects. [4] It was released in theaters nationwide on March 31, 2018.

Cast

Production

Development

The film's initial title was Five Years Later, then changed to Here's to the Fools. On December 22, 2017, the director announced the final title of the film to be Never Not Love You. [6] [7]

Filming

The film's shooting locations are Makati CBD, Quezon City [8] Zambales, and London. [9] [7]

Soundtrack

Never Not Love You (Original Movie Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album / EP by
ReleasedMarch 27, 2018
Genre Soundtrack
Length22:43
Language Tagalog
Label Viva Records Corporation
Singles from Never Not Love You (Original Movie Soundtrack)
  1. "Prom"
    Released: 23 March 2018 [10]

The soundtrack of the film includes music and performances by John Roa, Janine Teñoso, Marion Aunor, Ebe Dancel, and James Reid and Nadine Lustre. [11] The first song released with an official music video is "Prom", performed by Reid and Lustre. It also serves as the lead single for the soundtrack of the film. [12] Roa's "Oks Lang" was featured in the 2nd teaser for the film.

Never Not Love You (Original Movie Soundtrack) [11]
No.TitlePerformed byLength
1."Prom" James Reid and Nadine Lustre 4:28
2."Oks Lang"John Roa5:36
3."Bulong"Janine Teñoso3:45
4."Sana" Marion Aunor 4:28
5."Prom (Acoustic)" Ebe Dancel 4:26
Total length:22:43

Notes

Release

The film was theatrically released on 2018 March 31. [13]

International screening

The film made an international screening in selected theaters in the United States [14] and the Middle East. [15] In November 2018, it was screened at the International Film Festival of India held in the city of Goa as part of the World Panorama section. [16]

Reception

Box office

Never Not Love You grossed ₱20 million on its second day of showing in over 200 theaters according to the Instagram post of Viva Artists Agency. [17] As of April 15, 2018, the film had grossed an estimated ₱92 million. [2]

Critical response

Never Not Love You received mostly positive reviews from critics with particular praise going to the performances of Lustre and Reid and the directorial efforts of Jadaone. In a review for Rappler.com , Oggs Cruz said that "the film is so meticulously threadbare, it feels like its central love story belongs not in the realms of commercial entertainment but in the real world". He called the film Jadaone's "most grounded romance" and praised the director's ability "for turning the nondescript to magic..." [18]

Wanggo Gallaga of the website Click the City gave the film 5 out of 5 stars and described Reid as "charming as hell" and called Lustre a "powerhouse" and the "real star" of the film while praising her performance by saying that "There is a whole world of emotions within her that she carries with every movement". [19]

Inquirer 's Cake Evangelista called the film as the lead stars' "best work so far". Reid was commended for finding a "balance" in his character and Lustre for being someone who "evokes a wealth of meaning and emotion". Director Jadaone was called the film's "true strength". Evangelista noted that "In Never Not love You, Jadaone shows us a different side of herself as a storyteller." [20]

The Neighborhood's Philbert Dy gave the film a rating of 4 out of 5 and praised how it "smartly examines modern romance in oddly pragmatic terms". He praised Reid for leaning into his character and described Lustre as the one who "shines in the movie". Regarding Lustre's performance as Joanne, he said that the actress "just makes everything feel meaningful". He also noted that the pair displays "a familiarity and chemistry that might just be unmatched." [21]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
Guild of Educators, Mentors, and Students Hiyas Ng Sining AwardsMarch 21, 2019Best Film (Mainstream)Never Not Love YouWon [22]
Best Film Director (Mainstream) Antoinette Jadaone Won
Best Actor James Reid Nominated
Best Actress Nadine Lustre Nominated
Inside Showbiz AwardsMarch 3, 2019Favorite Movie ActorJames ReidWon [23]
Favorite Movie ActressNadine LustreWon
Favorite MovieNever Not Love YouWon
Favorite Movie DirectorAntoinette JadaoneWon
Favorite Movie Soundtrack Prom by Ebe Dancel Won
Myx Music Awards May 15, 2019Media Soundtrack of the YearProm by James Reid and Nadine LustreWon [24]
Young Critics Circle August 16, 2019Best PerformanceNadine LustreWon [25]
Best EditingBenjamin TolentinoNominated
Best Cinematography and Visual DesignCinematography: Mycko David and Carlo Mauricio; Production design: Ana Lou SanchezNominated
Best Sound and Aural OrchestrationMusic: Len Calvo; Sound Design: Jason Conanan, Kat Salinas and Mikko QuizonWon
FAMAS Awards April 28, 2019Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading RoleJames ReidNominated [26]
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading RoleNadine LustreWon
Outstanding Achievement in CinematographyMycko DavidNominated
Best PictureNever Not Love YouNominated
42nd Gawad Urian June 18, 2019Best ActressNadine LustreWon [27]
35th PMPC Star Awards for MoviesJune 2, 2019Movie Actress of the YearNadine LustreNominated [28]
Movie Actor of the YearJames ReidNominated
Movie Loveteam of the YearJames Reid and Nadine LustreNominated
3rd Eddys AwardJuly 4, 2019Best ActressNadine LustreNominated [29]
Best CinematographyMycko DavidNominated

References

  1. "Never Not Love You (2018) – Details and running time". Click the City. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Never Not Love You (2018) > Box office gross opening". Instagram . Viva Artists Agency. April 15, 2018. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  3. Lim, Lance Paolo (December 22, 2017). "Get your first look at James Reid and Nadine Lustre's upcoming film". PUSH.ph. ABS-CBN Corporation. Event occurs at 11:45 AM. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  4. "Never Not Love You (2018)". Project 8 Projects. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  5. "Gab on shoot for Never Not Love You". Instagram . Lagman, Gab. February 20, 2018. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  6. "JADINE'S 2018 MOVIE FINALIZED AS 'NEVER NOT LOVE YOU'". Inside Showbiz. December 22, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  7. 1 2 Cuta, Mikah (January 4, 2018). "5 Things To Know About JaDine's Upcoming Movie: 'Never Not Love You'". Pilipinas Popcorn. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  8. Raket Pa More: A Shooting and Taping Memoir (The Movie Daya Edition Part 1), 2023-06-05, retrieved 2023-06-06
  9. "James, Nadine fly to London for 'Never Not Love You'". ABS-CBN Corporation News. ABS-CBN Corporation. January 21, 2018. Event occurs at 6:24 PM. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  10. "Prom by James Reid and Nadine Lustre", Apple Music , March 23, 2018, archived from the original on April 2, 2018, retrieved April 2, 2018
  11. 1 2 "Never Not Love You (Original Movie Soundtrack) by Various Artists", Apple Music , March 27, 2018, archived from the original on April 2, 2018, retrieved April 2, 2018
  12. "Prom – James Reid › Music Videos". Viva Records . Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  13. "JaDine get tangled up in each other in first 'Never Not Love You' teaser". Rappler. February 8, 2018. Event occurs at 10:03 PM. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  14. "Never Not Love You (2018) > US International screening". Instagram . Viva Artists Agency. April 7, 2018. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  15. "Never Not Love You (2018) > Middle East International screening". Instagram . Viva Entertainment. April 17, 2018. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  16. Hallare, Katrina (November 9, 2018). "'Never Not Love You' to be shown at 2018 International Film Festival of India".
  17. "Never Not Love You (2018) > Box office gross opening". Instagram . Viva Artists Agency. April 2, 2018. Event occurs at around 9:00 AM. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  18. Cruz, Oggs (April 2, 2018). "'Never Not Love You' review: Work-love balance". Rappler.
  19. Gallaga, Wanggo (April 1, 2018). "'Never Not Love You' is unafraid to get quiet, intense, and very real". Click the City.
  20. Evangelista, Cake (April 8, 2018). "Super Review: 'Never Not Love You' is JaDine's best work so far". Inquirer.
  21. Dy, Philbert (April 2, 2018). "'Never Not Love You' Smartly Examines Romance in Pragmatic Terms". The Neighborhood.
  22. "ABS-CBN stars, shows win big at the 3rd GEMS Hiyas ng Sining". January 16, 2019.
  23. "FULL LIST: THE WINNERS OF INSIDE SHOWBIZ AWARDS". Inside Showbiz. March 4, 2019.
  24. "FULL LIST: Winners, MYX Music Awards 2019". Rappler. March 16, 2019.
  25. "YCC names 'Sa Palad ng Dantaong Kulang' best film, Nadine Lustre best performer".
  26. Aguilar, Krissy (March 18, 2019). "LIST: FAMAS announces nominees for its 67th Awards Night".
  27. "FULL LIST: Nominees, Gawad Urian 2019".
  28. "Mga nominado sa 35th PMPC Star Awards For Movies inilabas na". Push. May 18, 2019.
  29. "Editors' group unveils 3rd EDDYS nominees". Manila Standard. May 19, 2019.