Five Breakups and a Romance explained

Five Breakups and a Romance
Director:Irene Emma Villamor
Cinematography:Tey Clamor
Editing:Renard Torres
Music:Len Calvo
Distributor:GMA Pictures
Runtime:102 minutes
Country:Philippines
Language:Filipino
Gross:[1]

Five Breakups and a Romance is a 2023 Philippine romantic drama film written and directed by Irene Emma Villamor.[2] The film stars Alden Richards and Julia Montes.[3] This marks Richards' production debut through Myriad Entertainment,[4] as well as Montes' first film since the 2016 film Padre de Familia.[5]

Plot

In 2015, Lance Sandoval, a medical student visiting friends in Singapore, meets and begins a relationship with Justine Ramos, a fashion designer who has moved there to pursue a rising career. When Lance returns home to the Philippines to resume medical school, Justine agrees to keep in touch, staying in Singapore to climb the ladder as a fashion brand manager. They find long-distance relationships to be unsatisfactory.

After nearly a year, Justine moves to the Philippines to reunite with Lance, exchanging her high-paying Singaporean job for one as a consultant to a fast-fashion brand in the Philippines. The couple struggles in their relationship and in their individual lives – Lance with medical school, and Justine with her new job. This leads to tension between them, and they get into a heated argument. They break up but still feel connected to each other.

In 2018, at the renewal of vows of Justine's parents, they reunite and fall in love again. Later, they move into Lance's condo together. Lance is now a general surgeon. When the COVID-19 pandemic begins in 2020, he is on the pandemic's frontline. An infidelity ensues, causing another break-up.

Later, Justine has rebuilt her life in Manila, establishing her own fashion brand, as Lance continues to practice medicine. They reunite again in 2023 when her father gets hospitalized. They briefly catch up on one another's lives before finally saying goodbye.

Cast

Production

Five Breakups and a Romance was first announced on April 18, 2023.[6] According to The Philippine Star on April 23, 2023, the cast and the production of the film had finished their filming, editing and dubbing[7] after a 13 day shoot.[8] The film was shot mainly in Singapore and Manila's Bonifacio Global City.[9]

Promotion

A scene drop from the film was released early in September 2023.[10] The official teaser of the film was released on September 16, 2023.[11] It was followed by the release of a two-part in-depth discussion with Montes and Richards titled Five Breakups and a Romance: The Actors.[12]

Release

Five Breakups and a Romance was released in the Philippines on October 18, 2023, initially in 210 cinemas and was expanded to 231 cinemas on its second day and eventually to 242 cinemas.[13] [14] [15] A day before its general release, a premiere night of the film was held at SM Megamall.[16] [17]

The film was released in selected cinemas in California on November 24, 2023,[18] and in 42 cinemas in the Middle East on November 30, 2023.[19] [20] It was shown at Palace Dendy Brighton Cinema 4 in Melbourne, Australia, on November 25 and 26, and at the Hoyts Blacktown Xtremescreen Cinema in Sydney on December 2 and 3.[18]

Reception

Box office

Five Breakups and a Romance earned ₱30 million ($US 538,000) in its opening week at the box-office.[21] As of December 12, 2023, the film had grossed ($US 1.79 million) at the Philippine box-office.[1]

Critical response

Writing for The Philippine Star, Jerald Uy gave the film a positive review commending how it navigates through the audience's shared nostalgia, writing, "The story structure is a smart way to tap into the viewers’ recent memories of love and loss." Uy also praised Richards' and Montes' performances and Villamor's script, saying: "Her beautiful script seamlessly complements the breathtaking shots of the movie."[22] Fred Hawson of ABS-CBN News also reviewed the film positively, rating it 8 out of 10 stars and stating: "both [stars] imbued their characters with passion so palpable that you feel the exuberance of their thrill, pain of their regret and weight of their emotions."[23] Angelica Villanueva in her review for Manila Standard also gave a positive review, stating that Richards and Montes' performances elevated the film and delivered a "compelling performance", further adding: "Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, from the delivery of intense lines to the passionate exchanges in a particular scene. They bring a magnetic charm to the film, making it an unforgettable experience."[24]

In the Daily Tribune, however, Stephanie Mayo wrote that he enjoyed Richards' performance but gave the film an unfavorable review on the whole: "Overall, Five Breakups is a paper-thin, hackneyed love story masked by gorgeous visuals. A visual spectacle without drama or romance ... nothing in this drama resonates."[25] For ClickTheCity.com, Wanggo Gallaga found a lack of chemistry between the leading characters and rated the film 2 stars out of 5, writing, "[T]he film favors telling over showing. ... We need to see it when Richards and Montes go through these raw, emotional moments".[26]

Accolades

AwardYearCategoryNomineeResultRef
Box Office Entertainment Awards2024Box Office KingAlden Richards[27]
Gawad Lasallianeta Awards2023Most Outstanding Filipino FilmFive Breakups and a Romance[28]
Most Outstanding Film ActressJulia Montes
Most Outstanding Film ActorAlden Richards
Luna Awards2024Best ScreenplayIrene Villamor[29]
Best CinematographerTey Clamor
Best Musical ScorerLen Calvo
PMPC Star Awards for Movies2024Movie of the YearFive Breakups and a Romance[30]
Movie Director of the YearIrene Emma Villamor
Movie Actor of the YearAlden Richards
Movie Ensemble Acting of the Year
Movie Musical Scorer of the YearLen Calvo
Movie Production Designer of the YearFerdi Abuel
Movie Loveteam of the YearAlden Richards and Julia Montes
The EDDYS2024Box Office HeroesJulia Montes[31]
Alden Richards
Best Actor[32] [33]
Best ActressJulia Montes
Best Production DesignFerdie Abuel
VP Choice Awards2024Movie Actress of the YearJulia Montes[34]
Movie Actor of the YearAlden Richards

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023-12-12 . 'Five Breakups and a Romance' earnings reach P100M . ABS-CBN News.
  2. Web site: 2023-10-18 . Irene Villamor brings real feels to reel story anew . 2023-10-26 . The Manila Times.
  3. Web site: Abad . Ysa . 2023-08-29 . FIRST LOOK: Alden Richards and Julia Montes in 'Five Break-Ups and a Romance' . 2023-09-05 . RAPPLER.
  4. Web site: Digital . Sun Star Davao . 2023-10-03 . Alden Richards, Julia Montes tandem poised to smash box-office records . 2023-10-25 . SunStar Publishing Inc..
  5. Web site: 2023-10-20 . Julia Montes reveals 'greatest fear' in working with Alden Richards . 2023-10-25 . www.philstar.com.
  6. Web site: Mallorca . Hannah . 2023-04-19 . Julia Montes, Alden Richards to team up for upcoming film 'Five Break-ups and a Romance' . 2023-09-05 . INQUIRER.net.
  7. Web site: 2023-04-23 . What to expect from Alden and Julia's 'unexpected' movie teamup . 2023-09-05 . www.philstar.com.
  8. Web site: Alden Richards, Julia Montes wrap up filming for 'Five Break-ups and a Romance' . 2023-09-05 . www.gmanetwork.com.
  9. Web site: Alden Richards, Julia Montes return to the big screen via Five Break-Ups and a Romance . 2023-09-05 . Manila Bulletin.
  10. Web site: Five Breakups and a Romance scene drop goes viral . 2023-09-18 . www.gmanetwork.com.
  11. Web site: 2023-09-16 . Julia, Alden drop teaser of Five Breakups and a Romance . 2023-09-18 . ABS-CBN News.
  12. Web site: Eusebio . Aaron Brennt . Five Breakups and a Romance: The Actors (Part 2) . 2023-09-18 . www.gmanetwork.com.
  13. Web site: Bueno . Leah . 2023-10-17 . Alden Richards pens message for Julia Montes, Irene Villamor ahead of film’s showing . ABS-CBN Push.
  14. Web site: Acar . Aedrianne . Alden Richards thanks Julia Montes, Direk Irene Villamor for Five Breakups and a Romance experience . 2023-10-25 . www.gmanetwork.com.
  15. Web site: Alden Richards, Direk Irene Villamor grateful for support on Five Breakups and a Romance . 2023-10-25 . www.gmanetwork.com.
  16. Web site: Stars from all generations come together at 'Five Breakups and a Romance' premiere night . 2023-11-08 . GMA Network.
  17. Web site: Sharon Cuneta applauds Alden Richards, Julia Montes for Five Breakups and a Romance . 2023-11-08 . GMA Network.
  18. Web site: Watch 'Five Breakups and a Romance' in Australia, America, and Middle East . 2023-11-23 . GMA Entertainment.
  19. Web site: 2023-11-08 . Five Breakups and a Romance set for grand release in Middle East cinemas this November . 2023-11-08 . The Global Filipino Magazine.
  20. Web site: . 2023-11-29 . Five Breakups and a Romance heads to Middle East on November 30 . 2023-11-29 . GMA News Online.
  21. Web site: Ramos . Kayla . 2023-10-26 . Alden Richards and Julia Montes Are Proud of Five Breakups and a Romance for Reaching P30 Million . 2023-11-04 . When In Manila.
  22. Web site: Review: Five Breakups and a Romance taps into our shared nostalgia of love and loss . 2023-10-18 . Philstar Life.
  23. News: Hawson . Fred . 2023-10-20 . Five Breakups review: An emotional roller-coaster ride . 2023-10-20 . News.ABS-CBN.com.
  24. Web site: Villanueva . Angelica . October 23, 2023 . A journey through love and heartache . 2023-10-24 . Manila Standard.
  25. Mayo, Stephanie. "Five Breakups and a Romance Review: Alden Richards, the gem in this tepid non-story", Daily Tribune, October 20, 2023.
  26. Gallaga, Wanggo. "Movie Review: Where Is the Love: a review of Five Breakups and a Romance, ClickTheCity.com, October 20, 2023
  27. Web site: Severo . Jan Milo . May 14, 2024 . Kathryn Bernardo, Alden Richards hailed Box Office Queen, King . June 4, 2024 . The Philippine Star.
  28. Web site: GMA Network, ilang Kapuso stars, personalities, at shows, nominado sa The 6th Gawad Lasallianeta . 2023-12-13 . GMA Entertainment.
  29. Web site: Evangelista . Jessica Ann . July 2, 2024 . Kathryn Bernardo, Cedrick Juan among 40th Luna Awards nominees . http://web.archive.org/web/20240710080253/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/564343/kathryn-bernardo-cedrick-juan-among-40th-luna-awards-nominees/amp . July 10, 2024 . Inquirer Entertainment .
  30. Web site: June 10, 2024 . Nora, Vilma, Sharon, Maricel magsasabong sa 40th PMPC Star Awards for Movies . June 10, 2024 . Abante Tonite .
  31. Web site: June 4, 2024 . The 7th Eddys to honor box office heroes . http://web.archive.org/web/20240604133326/https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/4/the-7th-eddys-to-honor-box-office-heroes . June 4, 2024 . June 4, 2024 . Manila Bulletin .
  32. Web site: June 14, 2024 . 7th EDDYS: Vilma, Maricel, Marian, Kathryn for Best Actress . Philippine Entertainment Portal.
  33. Web site: Mallorca . Hannah . July 8, 2024 . Piolo Pascual, Julia Montes, Charlie Dizon win top acting honors at 7th Eddy’s . http://web.archive.org/web/20240708033307/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/565158/piolo-pascual-julia-montes-charlie-dizon-win-top-acting-honors-at-7th-eddys . July 8, 2024 . INQUIRER.net .
  34. Web site: 5TH VPCA NOMINEES . 2024-01-18 . 5th VP Choice Awards . en-US.