''Beauty and the Bestie'' is a 2015 Filipino
action comedy
Action comedy is a genre that combines aspects of action and comedy. The genre is most prevalent in film with action comedy films, though several TV series fit this genre.
Film
The action comedy film is a film genre that combines aspects of actio ...
film directed by
Wenn V. Deramas
Edwin Villanes Deramas (September 15, 1966 – February 29, 2016), more commonly known as Direk Wenn or Wenn V. Deramas, was a Filipino film and TV director and screenwriter.
Education
Deramas was a graduate of University of Santo Tomas with ...
, starring
Vice Ganda
Jose Marie Borja Viceral (born March 31, 1976), popularly known as Vice Ganda (; ), is a Filipino comedian, talk show host, television presenter, actor, entrepreneur, and singer. He is a regular host on ABS-CBN's noontime variety show '' It's ...
and
Coco Martin
Rodel Pacheco Nacianceno (born November 1, 1981), known professionally by his stage name Coco Martin (), is a Filipino actor, director, and film producer. He is best known for playing the lead roles in ''Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin'', '' Walang H ...
, alongside
James Reid, and
Nadine Lustre
Nadine Alexis Paguia Lustre (, ; born October 31, 1993) is a Filipino actress and singer. She rose to fame after playing the lead role of Eya Rodriguez in the film ''Diary ng Panget'' (2014).
Lustre has since starred in the television series ...
in their also stars. It is an official entry to the
2015 Metro Manila Film Festival.
It was produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions and
VIVA Films
Viva Films is a Philippine film production company established under Viva Communications. It was founded on November 11, 1981, by Vic del Rosario Jr.
History
Veering away from the Sharon Cuneta-Gabby Concepcion tandem, Viva became home to qual ...
and was released nationwide under the banner of
Star Cinema
ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. (doing business as Star Cinema or ABS-CBN Films) is a Philippines, Filipino film studio and film and television production company and film distributor headquartered in Quezon City. It is one of the major film ...
. It was also released overseas in cities that have a significant Filipino population. It is the third
highest-grossing Filipino film of all time next to ''
The Super Parental Guardians
''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 b ...
''. 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
''Finally Found Someone'' is a 2017 Filipino romantic comedy film starring John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo. The film is directed by Theodore Boborol. It is produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films. The film was released in cinemas nationwide ...
. The film's title is a play on the
1740 French novel by
Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve
Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve (28 November 1685 – 29 December 1755) was a French novelist influenced by Madame d'Aulnoy, Charles Perrault, and various précieuse writers. Villeneuve is particularly noted for her original story of ...
.
Plot
Erika (
Vice Ganda
Jose Marie Borja Viceral (born March 31, 1976), popularly known as Vice Ganda (; ), is a Filipino comedian, talk show host, television presenter, actor, entrepreneur, and singer. He is a regular host on ABS-CBN's noontime variety show '' It's ...
) isn't making nearly enough money running a photography studio to support her family. The problem is exacerbated when their young nephew is diagnosed with a rare condition that may lead to blindness. That's when their former best friend Emman (
Coco Martin
Rodel Pacheco Nacianceno (born November 1, 1981), known professionally by his stage name Coco Martin (), is a Filipino actor, director, and film producer. He is best known for playing the lead roles in ''Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin'', '' Walang H ...
) 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
, also known as , are members of transnational organized crime syndicates originating in Japan. The Japanese police and media, by request of the police, call them , while the ''yakuza'' call themselves . The English equivalent for the term ...
named Daemon Yu (Jacky Woo) and their Korean right-hand man, Jin Jhong (
Ryan Bang
Bang Hyun-sung (; born 16 June 1991), professionally known as Ryan Bang, is a South Korean television personality, host, comedian, actor, singer and vlogger based in the Philippines. Bang is one of a few Korean expatriates to appear prominently ...
).
Emman asks Erika to pretend to be Ms. Uzeklovakia while the agency searches for the real deal. Erika is still nursing some hurt from the way she and Emman ended things, and ended up taking on the task in exchange for help in caring for her family. Aside from all this, Erika's younger sister Abi (
Nadine Lustre
Nadine Alexis Paguia Lustre (, ; born October 31, 1993) is a Filipino actress and singer. She rose to fame after playing the lead role of Eya Rodriguez in the film ''Diary ng Panget'' (2014).
Lustre has since starred in the television series ...
) and Emman's half-brother Tristan (
James Reid) 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 for 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 which she was disgusted from their scent until she was 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. It was soon interrupted by the terrorists who are attempting to kill the fake which is Erika and Daemon manage to kidnap them 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 reconciles their friendship until he drops Erika's hand and falls into the ocean which Emman follows them.
When Emman attempts to make CPR towards Erika after falling each other into the ocean, they were still alive and soon reunites with her family.
After the incident, the father of Ms. Uzeklovakia, the Uzeklovakian prime minister was happy that his daughter won the contest thanks to Erika's efforts in pretending as herself after she returns to their home country and reuniting with her father and he congratulates both Emman and Erika for rescuing her as both of them make their thankful speech.
The movie ends where both Emman and Erika are eating fishballs from a fishball bystander and both senses the shades was a detonator and it explodes knowing that another terrorist abducts another person from another country which results in them being summoned to their new mission.
Cast
Main cast
*
Vice Ganda
Jose Marie Borja Viceral (born March 31, 1976), popularly known as Vice Ganda (; ), is a Filipino comedian, talk show host, television presenter, actor, entrepreneur, and singer. He is a regular host on ABS-CBN's noontime variety show '' It's ...
as Eric "Erika" Villavicencio / Natalia Thalia Nutreila
*
Coco Martin
Rodel Pacheco Nacianceno (born November 1, 1981), known professionally by his stage name Coco Martin (), is a Filipino actor, director, and film producer. He is best known for playing the lead roles in ''Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin'', '' Walang H ...
as Emman Castillo
Supporting cast
*
James Reid as Tristan Adams
*
Nadine Lustre
Nadine Alexis Paguia Lustre (, ; born October 31, 1993) is a Filipino actress and singer. She rose to fame after playing the lead role of Eya Rodriguez in the film ''Diary ng Panget'' (2014).
Lustre has since starred in the television series ...
as Abi Villavicencio
*
Marco Masa
''Nathaniel'' is a 2015 Philippine drama television series starring Marco Masa as Nathaniel, an angel who returns to earth with a mission to restore the belief of humanity in God and remind them about the innate kindness that everyone possesses in ...
as Jimbo Villavicencio
*
Alonzo Muhlach
Alonzo Andretti T. Muhlach (born February 19, 2010) is a Filipino child actor who is best known for his role as Prinsipe Vladimir in ''My Big Bossing'' segment: Prinsesa. In January 2017, he joined the first season of '' Your Face Sounds Fam ...
as Jumbo Villavicencio
*
Karla Estrada
Carla Elago Ford (born November 21, 1974), better known as Karla Estrada, is a Filipino actress and singer. Films and television series in which she starred in ''Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita?'' and ''Maricris Sioson: Japayuki''. She starred as su ...
as Barbara "Ms. Barney" Clooney
* Lassy Marquez as Jude
* MC Calaquian as Stef
*
Badjie Mortiz
''Banana Sundae'' (formerly ''Banana Split'') is a Philippine comedy gag show broadcast by ABS-CBN. The show aired from October 11, 2008, to April 5, 2020, replacing ''That's My Doc''. The program aired every Sunday from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM, o ...
as George
* Jacky Woo as Daemon Yu
*
Ryan Bang
Bang Hyun-sung (; born 16 June 1991), professionally known as Ryan Bang, is a South Korean television personality, host, comedian, actor, singer and vlogger based in the Philippines. Bang is one of a few Korean expatriates to appear prominently ...
as Jin Jhong
*
Tetchie Agbayani
Visitacion Parado (born July 2, 1961), better known by her screen name Tetchie Agbayani, is a Filipina movie and television actress, Mutya ng Pilipinas, psychology instructor and ''Playboy'' model. She appeared in a regular issue of German '' ...
as Coney
*
Boom Labrusca
Anthony "Boom" Labrusca (; born December 2, 1976) is a Filipino character actor and model.
Recent career
In October 2010, he started at hosting ''Usapang Lalake'' on Studio 23 with Aran Sese, Jobert Austria and Alex Calleja.
Personal life
Lab ...
as Joseph
* Ron Morales as Rob
* Tess Antonio as Riff
* Menggie Cobarrubias as Eddie
* Chrome Cosio as Jake
* Jelson Bay as Chief Ben
*
Valerie Concepcion
Valerie Norona Galang-Sunga (born December 21, 1987) is a Filipino actress, television host, and endorser. She is known for her role as Nora Ferrer in the soap opera ''Sinasamba Kita'' but later transferred to its rival network ABS-CBN. She then ...
as Editha "Edith" Villavicencio
Additional cast
*
Jay-R
Jay-R C. Reyes (born July 16, 1984) is a Filipino former professional basketball player who last played for the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Professional career
Reyes was the youngest player in the 200 ...
as himself
*
Karen Reyes
Karen Mae Reyes (born 17 October 1996) is a Filipina actress. On 7 July 2012, she was declared Second Big Placer of Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition 4. as Nurse
*
Raikko Mateo
Raikko Rain Mateo Gongora (born July 31, 2008), better known as Raikko Mateo, is a Filipino child actor who gained popularity as the lead star of the fantasy-drama ''Honesto
''Honesto'' is a 2013 Philippine family drama television series dir ...
as Angelo
*
Phoemela Baranda
Phoemela Baranda (born October 1, 1980) is a Filipina model, actress and was the entertainment anchor of ABS-CBN's weekday flagship news broadcast of ''TV Patrol''. She is a former officer and currently a member of Professional Models Associati ...
as herself
*
Wendell Ramos
Wendell Xavier Ramos (born August 18, 1978) is a Filipino actor and model who is currently under GMA Network after ABS-CBN and TV5.
Biography and early career
Ramos started his showbiz career in 1995 when he joined the cast of ''Bubble Gang' ...
as Jojo
* Miguel Faustmann as PM Thor
* Wilma Doesn't as Ms. Upanghet
*
Bea Santiago
Bea Rose Monterde Santiago (; born February 17, 1990) is a Filipino actress, model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss International 2013 on December 17, 2013.
Prior to her win at Binibining Pilipinas, she was a Mutya ng Pilipinas 2011 tit ...
as Ms. Philippines
* Randy See as Dr. Kenneth Sy
*
Ahron Villena
Ahron Villena (born Roche Ahron Villena on March 10, 1987) is a Filipino actor. He was formerly a member of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown talents Star Magic and is currently a freelance artist.
Career
In 2004, he joined and won the ABS-CBN noon ...
as the Fishball Vendor
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
Maria Jolina Perez Magdangal-Escueta (; born November 6, 1978) is a Filipina singer, actress, television presenter, and entrepreneur. She is referred to in the Philippines as the Queen of Pinoy Popular Culture (or simply as Pop Icon) and is ...
's 90's hit "Chuva Choo Choo" which was relyricized and sung by Vice Ganda.
Reception
Box office
The Metro Manilla 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
GMA Pictures, formerly Cinemax Studios and GMA Films, is a film and television production company in the Philippines, established by GMA Network in 1995. Its films include ''Jose Rizal'', '' Muro Ami'', and '' Deathrow''.
Filmography
Histor ...
on the other hand reported that their film ''
My Bebe Love
''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 Festiva ...
'' 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." Oggs Cruz of
Rappler.com
Rappler (portmanteau of the words "rap" and "ripple") is a Filipino online news website based in Pasig, Metro Manila, the Philippines. It was founded by 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa along with a group of fellow Filipino journalis ...
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." Philberty Dy of
ClickTheCity
''ClickTheCity'' is an entertainment and lifestyle guide website in the Philippines. It provides a companion mobile application.
ClickTheCity started in 2000 as an online directory of restaurants, shops, TV and movie schedules in Metro Manila ...
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"
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
Jose "Joey" Javier Reyes (born October 21, 1954) is a Filipino professor, writer, director, miscellaneous crew and actor. He has won awards at the Gawad Urian, Metro Manila Film Festival and Filipino Star Awards for Movies for his films, which ...
on Twitter. In the official Twitter account of
SM Cinema, it tweeted that there was indeed a mistake in the tickets but the tweets were removed.
However, on December 26, 2015,
Metro Manila Development Authority
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA; fil, Pangasiwaan sa Pagpapaunlad ng Kalakhang Maynila) is a government agency of the Philippines responsible for constituting the regional government of Metro Manila, comprising the capital ...
, organizer of the festival, denied the accusations involving this incident. They added that the accusations were baseless and stated that fans should "be responsible in expressing their sentiments especially on social media."
Wenn Deramas, director of ''Beauty and the Bestie'', was skeptical about the ticket swapping incident and countered the claims of those moviegoers.
Accolades
References
External links
''Beauty and the Bestie''at
Star Cinema's Information
*
{{authority control
2015 films
2015 action comedy films
2015 LGBT-related films
2010s buddy comedy films
2010s teen comedy films
Filipino-language films
Films directed by Wenn V. Deramas
LGBT-related buddy comedy films
Philippine action comedy films
Philippine teen films
Star Cinema films
2010s Tagalog-language films
Teen LGBT-related films
Viva Films films
Philippine LGBT-related films