Five Breakups and a Romance
{{Short description|2023 Philippine romantic drama film by Irene Emma Villamor}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=September 2023}}
{{use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Five Breakups and a Romance
| image = Five Break-Ups and a Romance.jpeg
| caption = Theatrical release poster, designed by Justin Besana
| director = Irene Emma Villamor
| writer = Irene Emma Villamor
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Jose Mari Abacan
- Alden Richards
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| cinematography = Tey Clamor
| editing = Renard Torres
| music = Len Calvo
| studio = {{Plainlist|
- GMA Pictures
- Cornerstone Studios
- Myriad Entertainment
}}
| distributor = GMA Pictures
| released = {{Film date|2023|10|18}}
| runtime = 102 minutes
| country = Philippines
| language = Filipino
| budget =
| gross = {{Philippine peso|100 million}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title='Five Breakups and a Romance' earnings reach P100M |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/12/12/23/five-breakups-and-a-romance-earnings-reach-p100m#:~:text=MANILA%20%E2%80%94%20The%20romance%2Ddrama%20%E2%80%9C,abroad%2C%20maraming%20maraming%20salamat!%22 |website=ABS-CBN News}}
}}
Five Breakups and a Romance is a 2023 Philippine romantic drama film written and directed by Irene Emma Villamor.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-18 |title=Irene Villamor brings real feels to reel story anew |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/10/18/entertainment-lifestyle/show-times/irene-villamor-brings-real-feels-to-reel-story-anew/1915156 |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=The Manila Times}} The film stars Alden Richards and Julia Montes.{{Cite web |last=Abad |first=Ysa |date=2023-08-29 |title=FIRST LOOK: Alden Richards and Julia Montes in 'Five Break-Ups and a Romance' |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/alden-richards-julia-montes-five-break-ups-and-a-romance-teaser/ |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=RAPPLER}} This marks Richards' production debut through Myriad Entertainment,{{Cite web |last=Digital |first=Sun Star Davao |date=2023-10-03 |title=Alden Richards, Julia Montes tandem poised to smash box-office records |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/alden-richards-julia-montes-tandem-poised-to-smash-box-office-records |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=SunStar Publishing Inc.}} as well as Montes' first film since the 2016 film Padre de Familia.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-20 |title=Julia Montes reveals 'greatest fear' in working with Alden Richards |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2023/10/20/2304990/julia-montes-reveals-greatest-fear-working-alden-richards |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=www.philstar.com}}
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
{{multiple image
| total_width = 290
| image1 = Alden Richards at the OMG Awards.jpg
| image2 = Julia Montes.jpg
| footer = Alden Richards and Julia Montes play the lead roles of the film.
}}
- Alden Richards as Lance Sandoval
- Julia Montes as Justine Ramos
- Roxie Smith as Pia
- Lotlot de Leon
- Jackie Lou Blanco
- Gil Cuerva
- Analyn Barro as Sophie
- Michael Sager as Calvin Sandoval
- Ian Pangilinan
- Soliman Cruz as Roger
Production
Five Breakups and a Romance was first announced on April 18, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Mallorca |first=Hannah |date=2023-04-19 |title=Julia Montes, Alden Richards to team up for upcoming film 'Five Break-ups and a Romance' |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/495511/julia-montes-alden-richards-to-team-up-for-upcoming-film-five-break-ups-and-a-romance |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=INQUIRER.net}} According to The Philippine Star on April 23, 2023, the cast and the production of the film had finished their filming, editing and dubbing{{Cite web |date=2023-04-23 |title=What to expect from Alden and Julia's 'unexpected' movie teamup |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2023/04/23/2260855/what-expect-alden-and-julias-unexpected-movie-teamup |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=www.philstar.com}} after a 13 day shoot.{{Cite web |title=Alden Richards, Julia Montes wrap up filming for 'Five Break-ups and a Romance' |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/871593/alden-richards-julia-montes-wrap-up-filming-for-five-break-ups-and-a-romance/story/?amp |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=www.gmanetwork.com}} The film was shot mainly in Singapore and Manila's Bonifacio Global City.{{Cite web |title=Alden Richards, Julia Montes return to the big screen via Five Break-Ups and a Romance |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/19/alden-richards-julia-montes-return-to-the-big-screen-via-five-break-ups-and-a-romance |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=Manila Bulletin}}
Promotion
A scene drop from the film was released early in September 2023.{{Cite web |title=Five Breakups and a Romance scene drop goes viral |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/105170/five-breakups-and-a-romance-scene-drop-goes-viral/story?amp |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=www.gmanetwork.com}} The official teaser of the film was released on September 16, 2023.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-09-16 |title=Julia, Alden drop teaser of Five Breakups and a Romance |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/09/16/23/julia-alden-drop-teaser-of-five-breakups-and-a-romance |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=ABS-CBN News}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Eusebio |first=Aaron Brennt |title=Five Breakups and a Romance: The Actors (Part 2) |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/200141/five-breakups-and-a-romance-the-actors-part-2/video |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=www.gmanetwork.com}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Bueno |first=Leah |date=2023-10-17 |title=Alden Richards pens message for Julia Montes, Irene Villamor ahead of film's showing |url=https://push.abs-cbn.com/2023/10/18/alden-richards-pens-message-for-julia-montes-irene-villamor-ahead-of-film-s-showing-1259 |website=ABS-CBN Push}}{{Cite web |last=Acar |first=Aedrianne |title=Alden Richards thanks Julia Montes, Direk Irene Villamor for Five Breakups and a Romance experience |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/106437/alden-richards-thanks-julia-montes-direk-irene-villamor-for-five-breakups-and-a-romance/story |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=www.gmanetwork.com}}{{Cite web |title=Alden Richards, Direk Irene Villamor grateful for support on Five Breakups and a Romance |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/885754/alden-richards-direk-irene-villamor-grateful-for-support-on-five-breakups-and-a-romance/story/?amp |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=www.gmanetwork.com}} A day before its general release, a premiere night of the film was held at SM Megamall.{{Cite web |title=Stars from all generations come together at 'Five Breakups and a Romance' premiere night |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/18858/stars-from-all-generations-come-together-at-five-breakups-and-a-romance-premiere-night/photo?amp |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=GMA Network}}{{Cite web |title=Sharon Cuneta applauds Alden Richards, Julia Montes for Five Breakups and a Romance |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/885537/sharon-cuneta-applauds-alden-richards-julia-montes-for-five-breakups-and-a-romance/story/?amp |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=GMA Network}}
The film was released in selected cinemas in California on November 24, 2023,{{Cite web |title=Watch 'Five Breakups and a Romance' in Australia, America, and Middle East |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/107379/watch-five-breakups-and-a-romance-in-australia-america-and-middle-east/story?amp |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=GMA Entertainment}} and in 42 cinemas in the Middle East on November 30, 2023.{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-11-08 |title=Five Breakups and a Romance set for grand release in Middle East cinemas this November |url=https://theglobalfilipinomagazine.com/five-breakups-and-a-romance-set-for-grand-release-in-middle-east-cinemas-this-november |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=The Global Filipino Magazine}}{{Cite web |work=GMA Integrated News |date=2023-11-29 |title=Five Breakups and a Romance heads to Middle East on November 30 |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/889868/five-breakups-and-a-romance-heads-to-middle-east-on-november-30/story/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |publisher=GMA News Online}} 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.
Reception
=Box office=
Five Breakups and a Romance earned ₱30 million ($US 538,000) in its opening week at the box-office.{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Kayla |date=2023-10-26 |title=Alden Richards and Julia Montes Are Proud of Five Breakups and a Romance for Reaching P30 Million |url=https://www.wheninmanila.com/alden-richards-and-julia-montes-five-breakups-and-a-romance-p30-million |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=When In Manila}} As of December 12, 2023, the film had grossed {{Philippine peso|100 million}} ($US 1.79 million) at the Philippine box-office.
=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."{{Cite web |title=Review: Five Breakups and a Romance taps into our shared nostalgia of love and loss |url=https://philstarlife.com/geeky/362761-review-five-breakups-and-a-romance?page=2 |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=Philstar Life}} 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."{{Cite news |last=Hawson |first=Fred |date=2023-10-20 |title=Five Breakups review: An emotional roller-coaster ride |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/10/20/23/five-breakups-review-an-emotional-roller-coaster-ride |access-date=2023-10-20 |newspaper=News.ABS-CBN.com}} 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."{{Cite web |last=Villanueva |first=Angelica |date=October 23, 2023 |title=A journey through love and heartache |url=https://manilastandard.net/showbitz/tv-movies/314382807/a-journey-through-love-and-heartache.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Manila Standard}}
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."Mayo, Stephanie. [https://tribune.net.ph/2023/10/alden-richards-the-gem-in-this-tepid-non-story "Five Breakups and a Romance Review: Alden Richards, the gem in this tepid non-story"], Daily Tribune, October 20, 2023. 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".Gallaga, Wanggo. [https://www.clickthecity.com/movies/article/153421/movie-review-where-is-the-love-a-review-of-five-breakups-and-a-romance "Movie Review: Where Is the Love: a review of Five Breakups and a Romance], ClickTheCity.com, October 20, 2023
Accolades
| class="wikitable"
! class="unsortable" | Award ! Year ! class="unsortable" | Category !Nominee ! class="unsortable" | Result ! class="unsortable" | Ref |
| Box Office Entertainment Awards
|2024 |Box Office King |Alden Richards |{{won}} |
| rowspan="3" |Gawad Lasallianeta Awards
| rowspan="3" |2023 |Most Outstanding Filipino Film |Five Breakups and a Romance |{{nom}} |
| Most Outstanding Film Actress
|Julia Montes |{{nom}} |
| Most Outstanding Film Actor
|Alden Richards |{{won}} |
| rowspan="3" |Luna Awards
| rowspan="3" |2024 |Best Screenplay |Irene Villamor |{{nom}} |
| Best Cinematographer
|Tey Clamor |{{nom}} |
| Best Musical Scorer
|Len Calvo |{{nom}} |
| rowspan="7" |PMPC Star Awards for Movies
| rowspan="7" |2024 |Movie of the Year |Five Breakups and a Romance |{{nom}} |
| Movie Director of the Year
|Irene Emma Villamor |{{nom}} |
| Movie Actor of the Year
|Alden Richards{{efn|tied with Dingdong Dantes}} |{{won}} |
| Movie Ensemble Acting of the Year
|{{n/a}} |{{nom}} |
| Movie Musical Scorer of the Year
|Len Calvo |{{nom}} |
| Movie Production Designer of the Year
|Ferdi Abuel |{{nom}} |
| Movie Loveteam of the Year
|Alden Richards and Julia Montes |{{won}} |
| rowspan="5" |The EDDYS
| rowspan="5" |2024 | rowspan="2" |Box Office Heroes |Julia Montes |{{won}} |
| rowspan="2" |Alden Richards
|{{won}} |
| Best Actor
|{{nom}} | rowspan="3" |{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2024 |title=7th EDDYS: Vilma, Maricel, Marian, Kathryn for Best Actress |url=https://www.pep.ph/pepalerts/pep-troika/181263/7th-eddys-nominees-a4118-20240614-lfrm?ref=article_tag#:~:text=Nominees%20for%20Best%20Actress%20(top,L%2DR)%20Elijah%20Canlas%20in%20Keys |website=Philippine Entertainment Portal}}{{Cite web |last=Mallorca |first=Hannah |date=July 8, 2024 |title=Piolo Pascual, Julia Montes, Charlie Dizon win top acting honors at 7th Eddy's |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/565158/piolo-pascual-julia-montes-charlie-dizon-win-top-acting-honors-at-7th-eddys |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240708033307/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/565158/piolo-pascual-julia-montes-charlie-dizon-win-top-acting-honors-at-7th-eddys |archive-date=July 8, 2024 |access-date= |website=INQUIRER.net |language=}} |
| Best Actress
|Julia Montes |{{won}} |
| Best Production Design
|Ferdie Abuel |{{nom}} |
| rowspan="2" |VP Choice Awards
| rowspan="2" |2024 |Movie Actress of the Year |Julia Montes |{{nom}} |
| Movie Actor of the Year
|Alden Richards |{{won}} |
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|28943594}}
Category:2023 romantic drama films
Category:Filipino-language films
Category:Philippine romantic drama films
Category:Films directed by Irene Emma Villamor
Category:Films with screenplays by Irene Emma Villamor
Category:Films scored by Len Calvo
Category:Films set in Singapore
Category:Films shot in Singapore