Felix is a friendless achiever in high school whose life changes after the arrival of the half-American Snyder brothers, entangling him in their dark ambitions.
✰✰✰✰ out of 5 stars. A dark thriller drama hiding behind the looks and feels of a coming-of-age teen movie, 2COOL 2BE 4GOTTEN is a debut film that it's director, Petersen Vargas, should be proud of. It's leads,
Khalil Ramos as Felix Salonga, Jameson Blake as Maximillian Snyder and Ethan Salvador as Magnus Snyder, not only has the looks but also the talent to portray these extremely complicated characters and bring them to life. Khalil Ramos, a young budding actor who have already showed some promise in his acting in films like Erik Matti's Honor Thy Father (2015) has proven that he has the gift to succeed in this business. From the movement of his body, to those long, quiet stares from his eyes to the movement of his lips, he immortalizes his character and makes the audience believe that he is real. One of my most favorite scene features his character, as he faces one of the two Snyder boys, as he screams "Putangi-ina mo!" (You motherfucker!). Jameson Blake, an actor, model and performer, also proves that he has the acting skills to share to the world. He manages to bring the angst and attitude that his character requires. Ethan Salvador was also able to give life to his character, thanks to his simple yet very effective approach. He makes us see him as that guy next door that you can't help but like.
The screenplay, written by one of Philippines' top director and writer, Jason Paul Laxamana, manages to create interesting and realistic characters and situations, although the story stretches too far from reality as it reaches the end. Like his previous work, the dark comedy film Mercury Is Mine (which is my most favorite Filipino film of the year) his script tackles fascination with the Foreign race, particularly the Americans. Director Petersen Vargas' direction is nothing but outstanding, creating an attractive coming of age drama that pulls us into falling for these characters, then pushes us deeper into a darker path. It bravely tackles homosexuality, molestation of the youth, murder and other topics that we rarely see in mainstream films today.
For those fans of Filipino cinema, this indie film is definitely a must-see. This film is an outstanding examination of the youth nowadays. It's not just some girl's eye-candy or some cliched coming of age flick. It's something weird. And being weird is what makes it a unique and mind-blowing experience.
Starring Khalil Ramos as Felix Salonga, Jameson Blake as Maximillian Snyder and Ethan Salvador as Magnus Snyder, directed by Petersen Vargas, written by Jason Paul Laxamana and produced by Alemberg Ang and Cinema One Originals, an official entry to this year’s Cinema One Originals Film Festival.
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