Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards in ‘Hello, Love, Again’
If “Hello, Love, Goodbye” delicately spoke about how two people Joy (Kathryn Bernardo) and Ethan (Alden Richards) in their respective challenged life journeys found hope and love, its much-anticipated sequel “Hello, Love, Again” talked about the star-crossed lovers’ conquest to finding themselves and “home.”
The movie, helmed by blockbuster director Cathy Garcia-Sampana, broke box-office records when it opened last November 13 and earned P85 million, the biggest opening gross for a Filipino movie. Undoubtedly, this new installment of the “Hello, Love” franchise is the biggest movie of 2024.
With a story by master storyteller Carmi Raymundo and Crystal Hazel San Miguel, with ace director and former head of Star Cinema Olive Lamasan, the movie started with Joy and Ethan fatefully crossing paths again in Canada, presumably five years after Joy left Hong Kong to pursue her Canadian dreams, only to reveal how time and circumstances have changed their once great love.
“Hello, Love, Again” masterfully presented how the past five years have changed both Joy and Ethan, how it destroyed their beautiful romance, and how their fates were overturned with “permanent resident” Joy (now introducing herself as Marie) leading a more stable life in Canada than “new entrant” Ethan – a stark contrast to their situation in Hong Kong, where Ethan was a resident, and Joy was an illegal worker.
Can Ethan still correct the mistakes from his past? Will Marie rediscover Joy again? Will there be a second chance for them? Is their relationship a beautiful destination, or just a necessary stopover?
The movie highlighted how Kathryn Bernado has blossomed from a more-than-capable young star, to being one of her generation’s biggest stars and finest actresses. Her Marie was dynamic, fresh, free-spirited, while maintaining that vulnerability and longingness of the past’s Joy. Aside from her apparent talent, the box-office star was, perhaps, at her most beautiful in the movie, exuding both confidence and wholesome sensuality.
Richards, on the other hand, delivered a performance full of nuance and sensitivity. This movie gave the Kapuso star a great opportunity to prove his range as an actor. He made his audience felt his desperation, hopes, and drive to fight for a life and love he truly deserves.
The intensified chemistry between Bernardo and Richards in the movie was in full gear, launching audiences in the cinemas to give out most appreciative shrieks, gasps, and sniffles.
But, it was Joross Gamboa’s Jhim that supplied the heartiest laughter. Gamboa was the only cast member who was tapped to play a big role in the sequel as Alden’s best friend. Maymay Entrata, Kakai Bautista, and Lovely Abella, however, had special appearances paying homage to the first movie.
If the first movie made viewers see the sparks of love between Joy and Ethan and their respective travails, the sequel made cinemagoers understand the complexities of relationships and the internal turmoil of the characters even more, punctuated by the inclusion of the COVID effect in the lives of the characters.
Providing able support to the movie were Jennica Garcia, Ruby Rodriguez, and a host of Filipino actors living in Canada.
“Hello, Love, Again,” even with its kilig scenes, has remained to be a strong testament to Star Cinema’s thrust to present the plights of ourkapamilyasliving and working abroad – their fears, anxiety, and the guilt of having to leave their families behind in the hopes of sustaining a better future for everyone.
Just like Joy and Ethan trying to find their rightful “home” in “Hello, Love, Again,” the success of the movie also highlights how Star Cinema, Bernardo, Richards, director Garcia-Sampana, the creative, production teams truly belong to every Filipinos’ “home,” wherever they are.
