In their spontaneous expression of approval, members of the crowd cheered and applauded the performance of Anne Curtis in Viva Films’ Just A Stranger, a romantic movie that also stars Marco Gumabao.
That rare occasion happened not just once but twice while the movie was screening at SM Megamall Cinema. This proves that Anne doesn’t just give a compelling performance but a brilliant portrayal of a character that most women, young and mature, can easily relate to.
In the film, Anne is Mae Pimentel, a trophy wife who is in her mid-30s. Though stricken with an illness called Fibromyalgia, she is not wanting in material things and can go on a leisure trip anywhere she wants. Her husband Phil (Edu Manzano), a businessman, doesn’t seem to mind as he has very little time for her. It is while vacationing in the flamboyant city of Lisbon, Portugal that this fashionable lady meets Jericho.
Jericho “Jekjek” Esguerra (Marco) is a 19-year-old son of a Philippine Ambassador. He is oozing with sex appeal and charming personality, but lacking in maturity. To help him have a sense of responsibility, his father tells him to find a job. Jericho is not excited about working, but out of respect to his parents Rufi and Judy (Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez), he obeys their demands. He has a girlfriend named Febbie (Jas Rodriguez), but meeting Mae makes his life more exciting.
The trailer already gives a hint of the numerous steamy scenes between Anne and Marco, but director Laxamana points out that the film was not created to romanticize illicit affair. This drama will delve deeper into the personal stories of the characters to show their reasons behind their actions. It is interesting to know if, despite their liaison, Mae and Jericho can stick to this principle: “Not your friend. Not your lover. Just a stranger.”
It is said that the idea of doing a May-December affair love story has long been considered by Anne, but it is only now that the right material came along. The award-winning actress has shown her versatility by doing action (Buy Bust) and mystery thriller (Aurora), but it can’t be disregarded that her career prospered while doing romantic drama movies (Baler, In Your Eyes, No Other Woman, A Secret Affair). After the box office hit Sid & Aya, it’s great that viewers will get to see Anne going back to her roots—the romance-drama genre.
Directed by Jason Paul Laxama, Just a Stranger is now screening in cinemas nationwide.
