Netflix just premiered new romcom starring Piolo Pascual and Alessandra DeRossi. Here’s My Amanda review, now streaming on Netflix.

For this film, we do a familiar trope of two people who are so close and this long waltz of would they or would they not. But of course there’s a twist.

The Good

• Love the locations that they used for the film. Ganda. Whether it’s the quiet beach or the swanky “condo” that Piolo’s character TJ lives in. It’s visually pleasing. It doesn’t help too that we’re all stuck at home watching them make a movie.
• The kilig is there somewhere. OK Alex and Piolo don’t have romantic chemistry but their interaction, their characters’ platonic relationship is so etching. It’s what makes the movie watchable. The continuous bickering and banter gave the movie depth.
• It’s a different Piolo. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Piolo that’s not angsty or angry. They toned it down a bit so this leading man gets to show more of a lighter side to him. Not pang-FAMAS but good enough to be on the same conversation as other romcom he’s done in the past.
• I love Alessandra here. She worked the “Babaeng bakla” persona well but at the same time showed how much she’s matured since her teenybopper days.
• Those self-deprecating jokes including the ones about her boobs made the movie and dialogue throwing more organic.
• It has this “Before Midnight” feel to it were one situation after another, more talking and flirting and characterization.

The Bad

• Without spoiling the ending, I feel like it have been executed better. The way it was revealed what and who were talking about here could have hit like a dump truck but it felt like one of Alex’s punches to Piolo’s Fuffy when they were clowning around. Could have hit harder but I feel like they wanted it to end in a happier tone.
• The transitions at the end and the beginning were nice and all but it’s a little confusing.
• The film is a little bitin to be honest. Like I had a few questions about certain plots but those get swept under the rug in exchange for more IG worthy scenes and kilig moments.

My Amanda Review Verdict – 7/10

As a film it’s definitely getting good marks for the quality, the music and pacing but it still suffers from the classic identity crisis of whether it wants to follow a daring path or stick to the happy ending; follow the indie film styling or do the Star Cinema route. But still they managed to do a good movie. Could have been better but that’s a story for another time and place.

“My Amanda” is now streaming on Netflix. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook for more geek news and updates.