The Rewind effect
Why I cried buckets watching this Dongyan film
This is not an expert movie review. I’m not a worthy film critic who could give you a rundown of a film’s technical aspects and its cinematic excellence. I am just one of the thousands or perhaps millions of Filipinos who shed ugly tears after watching the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) movie Rewind.
I had originally intended to watch Rewind during its first week but holiday obligations, family gatherings, bouts of flu, and hectic schedules thwarted my plans. As the movie entered its third week in theaters, I knew I had to make time for it. I had to find out for myself why it was making waves at the box office, despite not receiving any accolades during the MMFF awards night.
Rewind is the first Filipino film I watched in the movie theater after seven long years. I was living abroad where I only had access to streaming sites, so watching online used to be the only way for me to watch Filipino films. When I came back to the Philippines last year, the only other film I watched in the cinema was Barbie back in July 2023.
So going to the cinema to watch Rewind was a huge deal for me. Is this worth the time, money, and effort? Or would it have been better for me to wait for its release on Netflix?
Although I’ve seen the positive reviews and the emotional reactions of moviegoers, I was still skeptical because when a film is overhyped, I usually end up disappointed, asking for more. But this was not the case with Rewind.
A straightforward story
If you have not watched the film, I’m not going to ruin it for you. But in a nutshell, Rewind is the story of John (Dingdong Dantes) who goes back in time to try to make up for his shortcomings as a husband to his wife Mary (Marian Rivera).
Many people have compared the plot with the US film If Only starring Jennifer Love Hewitt. But while both films have the same story trope—time travel to change the course of events, Rewind is uniquely Filipino. It is not exactly a copy or an adaptation, but a story grounded in our culture, values, and beliefs.
Is it an original story? Probably not. Is it groundbreaking? Maybe not. Is it predictable? Perhaps to some.
But what makes it such a beautiful film is that everything was executed really well. From the directing, writing, and acting to the musical score, it was picture-perfect.
And I think what made it stand out from other time travel films was the inclusion of Pepe Herrera’s character.
It tied everything together and gave the film a nostalgic and heartwarming Tanging Yaman vibe that MMFF viewers must be missing.
Powerhouse cast and crew
Both Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera acted really well in Rewind, but I must say that Dingdong took this movie to a whole new level. His acting was raw, honest, and powerful. I saw his film A Hard Day with John Arcilla on Netflix and while his performance in that action flick was also excellent, the way he delivered the emotions and nuances of John in Rewind is a careerdefining moment.
Enrico Santos, the film’s screenwriter, penned a flawless script that was tight from start to finish. No hanging plot holes, no unnecessary dialogues or backstories, and no abrupt shifts in the story. Every scene was necessary, every line served its purpose, and every character had a role to play. In short, walang tapon. It was definitely a masterclass in storytelling.
I have probably watched every Star Cinema romcom from director Mae Cruz-alviar but this was the first time I cried multiple times watching one of her films. This might sound redundant but it was all beautifully crafted that it’s absolutely worth leaving the house for.
Heartbreaker
Unlike other films where you only cry when you reach the climax, a lot of people watching with us at Cinema 2 of SM Clark were already sniffing into their tissues mid-way through the film. I didn’t really expect to cry or even feel emotional while watching Rewind. I was even doubtful how these two very good-looking actors would unlock my tear ducts.
So when I unexpectedly found myself tearing up in a scene where nobody onscreen was crying, I knew I was a goner. I was crying with the crowd up to the end and I was not even sure why. It was as if the film was poking at my eyeballs, making me cry on demand.
As I left the cinema, my eyes were swollen but my heart was full. Rewind captured my senses, made me feel guilty, and even broke my heart, but I still ended up loving every second of it. So why did I cry buckets watching this Dongyan film? Now, I know the answer. Because it’s just that good.
Many people have compared the plot with the US film If Only starring Jennifer Love Hewitt. But while both films have the same story trope— time travel to change the course of events, Rewind is uniquely Filipino, grounded in our culture, values, and beliefs.