Once in a while, an unlikely gem of a Filipino movie comes along, and this is arguably one of them. Its trailer is not at all enticing, appealing and inviting to viewers. It seemed very mundane and typical of a Filipino movie, with the same melodramatic plot alternating with bouts of slapstick and tasteless humour. It all seemed too familiar. Basically, there was little to convince viewers to see the film, except if the viewer was also an only boy and the youngest of five siblings with four older sisters, just like in the film, or if the viewer was a sister to an only boy. It had little variation and substance to it, again, typical of a Filipino movie. Once you watch it, you might even be kicking yourself for even buying that ticket. You are just about to be proven wrong.
Enchong Dee is the main actor in 4 Sisters and a Wedding through his character, CJ. His four older sisters are Teddie (Toni Gonzaga), Gabbie (Shaina Magdayao), Bobbie (Bea Alonzo) and Alex (Angel Locsin). They play varying roles as sisters of CJ with very different personalities and egos, just as in any household where estrogen and progesterone lord over at home. Teddie, the OFW from Spain who has skeletons in her closet; Gabbie, the old maid with that loving maternal instinct; Bobbie, the career-driven New Yorker whose only regret is that she did not live an adventurous life; and Alex, the wayward daughter whose current boyfriend was Bobbie’s past lover. Because of this, Alex and Bobie act cold towards each other once all the four sisters rendezvous again at their home for their little brother’s engagement, which they are hell bent on preventing.
CJ is betrothed to a sweet and well-off lady whose surname is Bayag, the daughter of a peculiar couple, only after four months of dating her. It is for this reason, and the eccentricities of the family of their future sister-in-law, that the sisters formulate their plans on stop the wedding. Soon enough, the sisters realize that the conflict is not between their family and the Bayags but among the sisters themselves. The viewer would later realize that it’s not CJ who’s the protagonist, but the four sisters… as hinted from the movie title.
The hullaballoo and quarrels come in when the sisters’ differences are irreconcilable. The tears and protracted drama come along well because they are flanked by Filipino comedy which is shallow but nonetheless something that all audiences admittedly love. It is in the meshing of these themes that the movie becomes appreciable and endearing to the viewer, and also probably because Sam Milby is there. Like all mainstream Filipino movies, the ending is all but predictable but ultimately good. The ending is sure to make one’s heart warm up even just a little bit.
This is one movie that tells a story in a manner we are all acquainted with, but with “panalo” dramatic and comedic scenes. The adorably cute ending caps off a wonderful story of a Filipino family who merely lacks affection and yet finds it in each other. The gem has finally shown itself to you, and now that you just appreciate it and want more of it, the credits ironically start rolling. Just when the viewer starts to see Filipino movies in a new light, it just has to end. Do not fret however, there are still bloopers. Who doesn’t love bloopers right?
