George is not an easy girl. Primo is not a quitter.
George aspires to be a doctor someday. She's hardworking and brave and a loving daughter. Primo, on the other hand, loves music, especially OPM. He's passionate and kind and very persistent with what he wants. One day they fell in love.
It started in college, in a cheesy debate. It soon blossoms into a beautiful relationship with the guidance of their Tita Lola, who taught them how to love and to stay together. So when Tita Lola passed away, what remains is her lessons and her house. Both she gladly bestows to the young couple.
But it turns out living together is not easy. Everything that George loved about Primo turns out to be the things that she hates about him. As their relationship deteriorates along with their dreams and passion, the two decided to break up. Then, Primo disappears.
Years have passed, and George is now in the process of selling Tita Lola's house, the house that holds her most painful and beloved memories. She just needs the permission of the returning Primo, though, who is adamant about keeping the house. Moreover, he returns intending to win her back and to correct his mistakes.
Except that George is not an easy girl.
"The Hows of Us" stars the Phenomenal Box Office Queen and King -- Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla as George and Primo. It is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
Why grant someone a second chance?
It may be for love, for family, or for the memories. To George and Primo, it can be all. But second chances need to be earned and not given.
George knows that welcoming the one that broke you is a terrible decision. Loving takes courage, and even if she's a brave woman, she tries not to be naive. When Primo returned to set things straight, she dismissed him. Not because she doesn't love him, she's just wiser and careful now. Besides, second chances take more than apologies.
Luckily Primo is a man of effort. Even if he had to clean a whole house to earn it, he will. He's flawed, but he is not a quitter.
"The Hows of Us" is a good conversation starter for young couples.
"Forever is a war," they say, and one battle won doesn't mean that it's over. There will be a lot of problems to overcome, but history shows that people who are together are a lot stronger. That is true for George and Primo, and they hope that their story inspires others to fight for what they love bravely.
Cathy Garcia-Molina's second feature with KathNiel is another StarCinema full-course meal that will surely make the audience belch with a shallow 'kilig': A power couple, a half-baked story, a lot of cheesy moments, and a few forced jokes. It's a formula that viewers know yet unconditionally loved.
"The Hows of Us" is an okay film that missed the opportunity to subvert its formula. It's a little disappointing because the movie glimmers with potential as the first few minutes unfold, but the story got carried away in trying to redeem its flawed characters. It's fear to disappoint its fans burdened the film in portraying a real relationship and the insecurities inherent within it.
Nevertheless, Bernardo and Padilla both show maturity with how they handle their roles. Their performance makes this movie bearable as they succeeded in deconstructing their characters' relationship. Revealing their inner vulnerabilities and showing that there are pains in loving and that forgiving is important.
2/5
