More Than Blue (2021) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
More Than Blue (2021) is a Philippine adaptation of the popular Korean movie of the same title, directed by Nuel Naval. This romantic drama tries to capture the emotional depth of its original but ultimately falls short, presenting a film that is visually appealing but lacking in substance. With a cast led by Yassi Pressman and JC Santos, the movie explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the bittersweet nature of unspoken emotions. However, despite its efforts, More Than Blue struggles to deliver a cohesive and compelling narrative.
Plot Overview
The story revolves around two close friends, K (JC Santos) and Cream (Yassi Pressman), who share a bond that transcends mere friendship. As they navigate their lives, their relationship becomes more complex, filled with unspoken love and missed opportunities. The film is a rollercoaster of emotions, with moments of lighthearted banter interspersed with scenes of intense drama. However, the narrative is often bogged down by excessive melodrama and unrealistic dialogue that fails to resonate with the audience.
The movie attempts to portray the characters’ internal struggles as they deal with their feelings for each other while making life-altering decisions. However, the storytelling is disjointed, with scenes that seem to be randomly pieced together rather than contributing to a coherent plot. This lack of narrative flow makes it difficult for the audience to connect with the characters and their journey.
Performance and Direction
Yassi Pressman and JC Santos take on the lead roles, but their performances are marred by overly dramatic portrayals and affected voices that make their characters less relatable. The constant use of cutesy behavior and exaggerated emotional expressions detracts from the film’s potential to convey genuine emotions. Instead of building a connection with the audience, these performances often come across as contrived and insincere.
JC Santos plays the role of K, a character who is both endearing and frustrating. While his character is supposed to evoke sympathy, the lack of character development and unnecessary scenes detracts from the overall impact. Yassi Pressman, on the other hand, portrays Cream, a songwriter who, despite her supposed passion for music, is rarely shown engaging in her craft. This lack of character consistency further diminishes the credibility of her role.
The supporting cast, including Marion Aunor and Diego Loyzaga, provide some relief from the heavy-handed drama, with Marion Aunor delivering moments of levity that are much needed in the film. Diego Loyzaga fits well into his role as the good-natured love interest, but his character is underutilized, leaving little room for his talent to shine.
Director Nuel Naval seems to focus more on the visual aspects of the film, ensuring that each scene is aesthetically pleasing. However, this emphasis on style over substance results in a film that looks good but feels empty. The use of voice-overs and other cinematic techniques gives the illusion of depth, but these elements fail to mask the underlying weaknesses in the script and character development.
Cinematic Elements
Visually, More Than Blue is impressive, with well-composed shots and a polished aesthetic that is typical of high-budget romantic dramas. The film’s color palette and cinematography effectively create a dreamy atmosphere that suits the tone of the story. However, these visual elements cannot compensate for the lack of emotional depth in the narrative.
The soundtrack, while fitting for the genre, does little to enhance the story or deepen the audience’s connection to the characters. The music is often used to amplify the emotional moments, but without a strong narrative foundation, these attempts at creating emotional impact fall flat.
Themes and Analysis
More Than Blue attempts to explore themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of human relationships. However, the film’s treatment of these themes is superficial, often resorting to clichés and melodrama instead of offering fresh insights. The characters’ decisions, particularly their approach to love and commitment, feel unrealistic and fail to resonate on a deeper level.
The film’s title, More Than Blue, suggests a story filled with poignant emotions, but the movie fails to deliver on this promise. Instead of a heartfelt exploration of love and loss, the film presents a series of contrived situations that lack the emotional authenticity needed to make the audience care.
Where to Watch More Than Blue (2021) Online
For those interested in watching More Than Blue (2021), the film is available for streaming on Vivamax, a popular Filipino streaming service known for its diverse library of local films. Vivamax offers a subscription-based model, and More Than Blue is included in its selection of romance and drama titles. As of now, Vivamax is the primary platform where viewers can watch this movie online.
Conclusion
More Than Blue (2021) is a visually stunning film that unfortunately falls short in terms of narrative and emotional depth. While it boasts a strong cast and high production values, the movie is ultimately let down by its weak script and lack of character development. The film’s over-reliance on melodrama and unrealistic dialogue makes it difficult for viewers to fully engage with the story and its characters.
For those who enjoy romantic dramas with a focus on visual appeal, More Than Blue may still be worth a watch. However, viewers should be prepared for a film that, despite its potential, does not fully deliver on its promise of an emotionally resonant love story.
Streaming Availability: Vivamax
Release Date: 2021
Director: Nuel Naval
Cast: Yassi Pressman, JC Santos, Diego Loyzaga, Ariella Arida, Marion Aunor
