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Un/Happy for You
Un/Happy for You is a 2024 Philippine romantic drama film directed by Petersen Vargas from a story and screenplay written by Kookai Labayen and Crystal San Miguel, with Simon Lloyd Arciaga and Jen Chuaunsu as the co-writers. It stars Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto in their comeback film after four years since they last acted together in Block Z.[2] The film is about how ex-lovers navigate feelings of anguish and deep affection with someone who once held a special place in their hearts.[3] Produced by ABS-CBN Studios, Star Cinema, and Viva Films, the film was theatrically released in Philippine cinemas nationwide on August 14, 2024. The film was a box office success. Plot
Two years after their breakup, Juancho (Joshua Garcia), a Bicolano chef on the rise, reunites with Zy (Julia Barretto), his ex-girlfriend, who is back in the province for a brief work visit. Still feeling bitter about their breakup, he tries to seduce her to ruin her engagement, only to find himself falling for her once more. CastJoshua Garcia portrays Juancho. Julia Barretto portrays Zy.
ProductionOn April 24, 2024, Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto announced their upcoming film at “New Movie Alert” virtual media conference on Star Cinema and Viva Films's YouTube channels and they also announced that Petersen Vargas will be the director of their film.[5] The teaser poster of the film is also released on the same day.[6] On June 12, 2024, Star Cinema, through its social media pages, posted a sneak peek of the cast's first script reading.[7] While on June 28, 2024 they release a video and still photos from the set which signifies that the filming has already begun.[8] The filming wrapped up in mid-July as shared by its cast members and director in their social media posts.[9] PromotionAn official teaser was released by Star Cinema last July 1, 2024, which garnered 1 million views in a span of one hour.[10][11] To officially kick off its promotional activities, a series of mall shows were held called The Get Back Tour. The first mall show happened last July 5, 2024, at Market! Market! in Taguig.[12] It's on the same event that they also unveil the movie's official poster.[13] A 2-minute trailer was released last July 10, 2024, during the film's media conference.[14][15] The said event was attended by the writers, director Petersen Vargas, lead actors Joshua and Julia along with other cast members. On July 31, 2024 Metro magazine released a digital cover featuring the lead stars, Joshua and Julia. Along with it is an article describing the ex-couple's journey, the story on how they come to reunite for the project and some snippets about the movie.[16] ReleaseThe film opened in 210 cinemas nationwide on August 14, 2024.[17] A day before its general release, a premiere night was held on August 13, 2024 at SM Megamall and it was graced by its cast, director, celebrity guests, and executives of ABS-CBN and Viva.[18] ReceptionBox officeUn/Happy For You grossed ₱450 million worldwide.[1] On its opening day, the film debuted at ₱20.5 million, making it the highest-grossing opening day of a local film in 2024 and the top opening day for a non-MMFF local film post-pandemic, until it was surpassed by Hello, Love, Again in November.[19] As of August 17, the film expanded to 320 cinemas nationwide and accumulated a four-day gross of ₱104 million. According to Deadline Hollywood, the film had earned ₱150 million at the box office in five days, with over 450,000 admissions in 350 cinemas nationwide.[20] It achieved the biggest post-pandemic single day gross for a local film to date, with ₱46 million on August 18. By August 22, the film had grossed ₱200 million as it entered its second week.[21] After ten days, the film domestic box office total reached ₱253 million.[22] Entering its third week in the domestic box office and shortly after it was released on select international markets, the film had achieved a worldwide gross of ₱320 million as of August 27 and ₱390 million as of September 2.[23][24] Out of the more than 100 films produced in the Philippines in 2024, Un/Happy for You is among the few films released so far to have been profitable at the box office.[25] Critical receptionThe film received a score of 72/100 from 15 reviews according to review aggregator website Kritikultura, indicating a generally positive reception.[26] Fred Hawson, writing for ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, described the chemistry between Garcia and Barretto as "still electric" because of their stellar performances in the film and also gave praise to the story and screenplay despite the little presence of romcom clichés and Vargas' direction.[27] References
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