المصعد

Under the garb of a romantic comedy, writer/director Philip King has created a watchable film. The story takes place in Singapore, and it won't take long for you to realise that this is lot more interesting than it looks. It is more poignant when watched as a love letter to migrant workers who have aspirations of becoming famous. The narrative centres on Paulo Avelino's character Jared, a lift operator who defies convention by attempting to make a formal lift pitch to each VIP customer in the posh hotel and casino where he works. Jared has experience working in many occupations across the globe, and he developed an app to facilitate the connection between migratory workers and potential employers. His buddies, who are all from different nations and who work at the hotel, are collaborating to help Jared find an investor. The crew didn't do many daring manoeuvres while filming, thus it seemed like a precise, formulaic movie!

What makes this movie better is it's believable. At first you wouldn't stop to consider that an elevator boy would do random pitches to hotel guests. But as Jared (Paulo Avelino)'s story unfolds we find out that he got this job for that purpose. Bettina did ask him why not be an IT guy or stay in the country, which Jared counters that in the Philippines money can mostly be made through connections with the rich aka those who were born to privileged families. A little hesitant going into Bettina's story also, but we find out that she has those reasons on why she was acting that way with Jared. Also, she is a woman who craves respect not attention or money, those are just some of the perks for her. She knows she is beautiful and owns this. Somehow, formulaic with the three problems needed in a romance, but you won't notice this. And the acting was good. Sorry, but Paulo Avelino owned this character, it's like he deducted points from his kagwapohan and even with the Filipino twang when he speaks English. Lol! Even though, when he does Tagalog, it's smooth (hahah like he's rich smooth). Still, somehow a different Paulo Avelino, simple lang (unlike the one in Linlang, may angas siya doon).