When I Met U

When I Met U is a 2009 Philippine romantic comedy film directed by Joel Lamangan. The screenplay by Aloy Adlawan was written for Jose Javier Reyes to direct, Reyes later left after "creative difference".

The film premiered in the Philippines on February 11, 2009 - being the second movie of Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion after For the First Time, and his fifth Valentine movie in five consecutive years.


Plot

Jenny is an unpretentious mall promodizer searching for true love. A hopeless romantic, her quest leads her to Benjie, a cargo pilot who offers her the love she truly yearns. An unlikely romance begins when she hitches a ride with Benjie to attend a wedding in Palawan . On board, they openly show their dislike for each other but when the aircraft crashes in an unknown island, the two turn to each other for comfort and eventually absolve their differences.

Will there be a lasting relationship between these two star-crossed lovers? Knowing that love is not about what is right but what is real, will Benjie and Jenny survive the odds of their relationship?


Principal cast

* Richard Gutierrez as Benjie
* KC Concepcion as Jenny[3]
* Alfred Vargas as Albert
* Iya Villania as Tracy
* Cherry Pie Picache as Chonching
* Tirso Cruz III as Kardo
* Chanda Romero as Sylvia
* Tonton Gutierrez as Manny
* Bearwin Meily as Tato
* Chariz Solomon as Kim
* Perla Bautista as Evva /Albert's Lola
* Bubbles Paraiso as Vernice
* Paolo Paraiso as Teddy
* Matty Lozano as Marcus
* Ynez Veneracion as Cynthia
* Raquel Villavicencio as Beverly/Tracy's Mom


Critical reception

The film has received generally positive reviews from critics, obtaining a Grade B from the Cinema Evaluation Board of the Philppines, although to Bong De Leon of Journal Online, "KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez can now heave a sigh of relief after their second movie together, "When I Met U" made the grade. It deserves more than B."[4]. Mario E. Bautista of the People's Journal said, "it's way much better than their debut movie, 'For the First Time', thanks mainly to the well-written script of Aloy Adlawan". Bautista continues to rain praises acting, as well, "give winning performances". He concludes, claiming that "Richard has done many Valentine movies and this is certainly one of the best. It's as entertaining as his Valentine flick with Marian Rivera last year", which was My Bestfriend's Girlfriend.[5]

Nel Alejandrino of People's Tonight said, "All four are right for the roles they portray. Even the circumstances which allowed total strangers Jenny and Benjie to cross paths, wika nga, is believable." He continues to rave for Iya Villania's performance, claiming she "was a revelation. Ang galing niya bilang mapagmahal at sophisticated na girlfriend ni Richard. Her character personifies the saying that “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”" (She's so good at playing a loving and sophisticated girlfriend for Richard). However, he also expressed disappointment on some scenes being too long.


Box office

The film opened amazing in SM City North EDSA, the country’s biggest theater earning an estimated P1.3-M on the mall’s cinema, second biggest opening day income of all the Filipino movies shown at SM City North EDSA. The gross was just behind Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat with P1.6-M, Sukob (1.M), and Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo (1.37 M). And beating Enteng Kabisote 3 (P987, 000).

According to Box Office Mojo, the romantic flick grossed more than Php 32.46 million in Manila alone for the week of February 11-15, 2009. Box Office Mojo expressly stated at the bottom of the webpage that for the week of February 11-15, "The chart only includes information from Manila marketplace. Nationwide figures are not yet available."[7]

According to Box Office Mojo, When I Met U has raked a total of P66 million from 70 screens nationwide in its entire run.


Soundtrack

A 11-track official soundtrack for the film was released by Sony BMG.[8] Here are the track-listing:

1. "When I Met You" by KC Concepcion
2. "Gusto Ko La-mang Sa Buhay" by Itchyworms
3. "BMD (Bring Me Down)" by Cueshé
4. "Gusto Na Kita" by 6 Cycle Mind
5. "Ikaw Pa Rin" by KC Concepcion
6. "Hintay" by Callalily
7. "Di Nakikita" by Roots of Nature
8. "Migraine" by Moonstar 88
9. "Letter Day Story" by KC Concepcion
10. "Hanggang Dito Na Lang" by Jimmy Bondoc
11. "When I Met You" by KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez

Source