‘What If?’ or “Paano Na” is confusing in itself that you might think I’m pertaining to the Marvel series, the 2013 film starring Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan, but it is not. Directed by Emmanuel “Manny” Palo, produced by Viva Films and A World of Our Own.
The Netflix drama “What If?” (or “Paano Na”) doesn’t revolve around unrequited romances or coincidences, but rather centers on the popular song titled after its lead character’s, Jecs, portrayed by JM de Guzman. He marries his fellow musician Billie, played by Alessandra de Rossi. It unfolds as a slow-paced, introspective drama on relationships, though most of the times it may feel familiar.
Jecs Cruz, an emerging musician, ties the knot with his keyboardist, Billie. He often brags about his wife on social media as #ThePerfectWife. Amidst their honeymoon on Panglao Island (a deserted resort located in CamSur. CamSur? I’m puzzled too), he often shifts back to his work, going on live endorsing sponsored products, engaging with followers, and jotting down lyrics whenever inspiration strikes. Meanwhile, Billie watches, yearning for a moment of honeymoon bliss. There is a scene in which she reminds him that they’re there to celebrate their honeymoon, but he goes right back to writing lyrics that are… not something I would probably listen to. LOL. To provide deeper context to their story, we’re treated to flashbacks of their relationship.
Billie’s turbulent upbringing and her relationship with her parents made her believe that she is undeserving of love, and yet she ends up in Jecs’ life through their shared passion in music. Jecs’ life is the opposite of Billie’s, with his family wholehartedly supportive of his chosen career and his relationship with Billie. Yet they seem to dictate what he should and shouldn’t have achieved by now. Their relationship soon becomes strained by generational traumas uncovered (is that Jett Pangan???) and societal expectations of a married couple.
There are commendable aspects in de Rossi and de Guzman’s performances which seem tragically wasted on material that feels overly contrived and convoluted. While it’s true that couples grapple with similar issues, and families like theirs do exist, the script lacks depth in conveying its intended message. Is it aiming to remind us to choose our partners wisely, or is it highlighting the harsh reality where in-laws still meddle in a couple’s happiness?
The ‘What If’ in this film is so ordinary that it leaves me confused on what the whole point is. Is it saying ‘What if she leaves? What if he cheats? What if they never get to their happy ending? What if that happiness never arrives? Are these the trivial questions this film is trying to address?
Is it a necessary turning point (again) to give de Rossi’s character an illness that tests her relationship with her co-star (in Kita-Kita, Through Night and Day her characters mysteriously get a disease for you to stay in and finish the film. I kid you not)? It is a test of my patience on why women with these kinds of diseases are portrayed as insecure, uncontrollable sobs. It’s such an effortless script to begin with. Dry and dull. The other only couple that’s deserving to look out for are the characters of Soliman Cruz and Angie Castrence (the couple who manages the resort) who seem to get what marriage is like. No need for any fancy schmancy social media updates, they can drool on online games or on celebrity crushes while yelling at one another in front of other people AND STILL end up together. No fuzz no drama. No one else going into their relationship but each other. The contrast of their relationship and that of Jecs’ and Billie’s should have been given more emphasis. That would’ve made this film a more interesting look rather that this agonizing feeling the film has left me with: what happens next? The answer? Oh let’s kill that other character off so they would come right back into each other’s arms.
The film is a lazy piece of work, filled with loopholes and plot points that fail to connect sensibly. Sure, it looks beautiful and glossy and goddamn the location is so beautiful. I have to commend the camera work and drone shots made me look twice at this but, it still does not make sense how this film is so mundane! Relationships are complex, but they don’t always have to be depicted as such. Unfortunately, this film’s portrayal of relationships is messy and insensitive towards its characters, even the songs feel uninspired. Eck, yup that miss miss kiss kiss song just went back to my head and it was the only song in this film that I remembered, more than the one that inspired the film’s title actually.
Go check it out yourself and watch it here. Now streaming exclusively on Netflix.
