RR has always been in love with his best friend, Janine. But she's infatuated with Kenzo, the star of her own fan fiction. When he finds a way for Janine to meet Kenzo, will he risk his own happiness just for her to have her own happiness?
(C) Regal
With a bunch of romcoms coming out of our country each year, it’s sometimes really hard to get interested in another romantic comedy. So color me surprised when Almost Us charmed the hell out of me.
One major thing that I really appreciate is how the film is unapologetically Gen Z. It’s not just a backdrop, nor is it simply throwing around Gen Z slang. The characters actually feel like Gen Z. Their activities and hobbies are Gen Z-coded. These distinctions really make the film stand out among recent romcoms targeted at a younger demographic.
The story goes where you expect it to, and the kilig moments are sprinkled in at just the right times. Powering all of this are the strong performances from the two leads. Like the film itself, Fyang Smith unapologetically commits to her character here — both the rights and wrongs. She made Janine feel like someone who could exist in real life. JM Ibarra also does the yearning part very effectively. He understood the character so well that I teared up during their confrontation scene.
Speaking of the confrontation scene, it paid off really well thanks to the large amount of buildup. The buildup may have felt a bit unpolished in some parts, but it still worked out in the end.
Movies oftentimes offer us a guide to navigating love, friendships, or life in general. Almost Us serves that purpose well and leaves the audience with something to ponder. Ruin the friendship? Maybe decide after seeing this film. 3.5/5 ⭐️
