Enrique Gil returns to the movies in a big, big way
ENRIQUE Gil’s shoe size is 10, but this is not at all the point of his much talked about comeback movie, “I am Not Big Bird,” under Black Sheep Productions.
Yes, the “Bird” refers to that whose size has traditionally been deemed as the measure of male masculinity, but despite the raunchy theme of Enrique’s movie, its much bigger [sorry, I couldn’t help it!] significance is actually more prevalent across a number of factors.
But before we get into the nitty gritty of this perspective, here’s the movie’s logline for a better appreciation of the ensuing discussion.
“I am Not Big Bird” — which is actually inspired by an outrageous situation that happened to a friend of one of the film’s writers, Lilit Reyes — sees Enrique as Luis Carpio — a newly brokenhearted bloke who has not been “adequately blessed” on a “big” mission in Bangkok with his barkada for a lifelong [wink, wink!] solution.
Set in the ‘90s amid Thailand’s pulsating red light district, Luis and his posse find themselves from one hilarious mishap after another as he is repeatedly mistaken for the famous Thai adult video star nicknamed ‘Big Bird.’
With that, let’s get back to more reasons why I think this film is a big deal.
In no particular order, let’s start with Enrique’s comeback. Without a doubt, a movie with such a title and unique storyline [coming up in a moment — again, not intended] is the best way to end his temporary hiatus from showbiz.
With his last movie, Alone/Together, the blockbuster of 2019 — not to mention his reel and real-life girlfriend Liza Soberano, now busy living out her Hollywood dream — it wouldn’t do the erstwhile dramatic actor any favors to return with a vehicle that’s simply more of the usual. Nor would it be a good idea to take on a new leading lady. For fans to get used to seeing him in projects sans Liza, a film with Quien front and center is the way to go, and he knows it.
“I had no second thoughts about doing this, and I’m super proud of our film,” the ever-handsome actor said at “Big Bird’s” media conference. “I think it’s the perfect time to make a comeback, especially with a film like this.”
The clean-cut mestizo who can make girls swoon or weep at the drop of a hat in his past teleseryes and movies incidentally revealed, “I am a huge fan of comedy films — those ‘90s, early 2000s US comedies I don’t get to see anymore. So, to be able to do a film like this here in the Philippines is just amazing.”
And definitely attention-grabbing, too, from the likes of Enrique big time.
On to another biggie — and this part is from my observations of “Big Bird’s” knock-out trailer — I have a good feeling that this bold Black Sheep offering has every promise to raise the bar in terms of how comedies are written and made in local cinema.
Not a fan of slapstick just for the sake of it, and even more so, garrish, loudmouth dialogues that just give you a headache rather than make you laugh, “Big Bird’s” story — no matter how outrageous and naughty — seems to be carried out in both script and execution.
When one character hits another across the face, it’s because of the story. If someone utters something crass, again, it’s part of the story. The comedy, no matter how raunchy, jolts you but doesn’t turn you off, but honest to goodness makes you laugh.
Without being cocky, the movie’s creative team proudly acknowledged at the same media conference that it is indeed their goal to raise the quality of Philippine comedy with “Big Bird.”
Hopefully, the movie’s entirety will keep up with the wit its trailer and writers promised that day, especially since they chose Valentine’s Day to open the film in cinemas.
As Joma Labayen, another co-writer, expressed and illustrated with such perfect timing during the discussion, “Here we have a very different Valentine movie — instead of a chick flick, we offer a dick flick for couples and friends who just want a good laugh on hearts day.”
Now I’m all for that big time. Oh, and by the way, not that this comedy pretends to be anything other than a laugh at loud experience, it does impart a message that’s very true at the core of all the riot.
As Lilit — the story’s brainchild — wonderfully shared again, “After watching it, you’ll realize the movie isn’t really about manhood and having a big dick. It’s really about self-discovery and rediscovering friendships that you may have forgotten and how that matters more than anything else.”
Directed by Victor Villanueva, “I Am Not Big Bird” is co-produced by Anima Studios and Immerse Entertainment and also stars Pepe Herrera, Nikko Natividad and Red Ollero.