Inspired plot premise not fully realized

RAMOS. Takes to her ‘kontrabida’ role like a duck to water.

JADE Castro’s film, “My Kontrabida Girl,” has an inspired plot conceit: A TV melodrama villainess (Rhian Ramos) infamous for her “deliciously” vile behavior on and off the screen, is “shocked into goodness” when a stranger saves her life.

Unfortunately, her newfound virtue and good cheer wreak havoc on her career, because she’s lost her nasty “mojo.” So, to reclaim her evil self, she goes back to her hometown in Palawan to avenge herself on the boy who was responsible for her first, big heartbreak.

That unusual plot premise is full of tantalizing possibilities. Sadly, however, the movie chooses to develop a storyline that leads it down a rather bland and unproductive path, which involves the star’s former nemesis’ efforts to regain control of his parents’ little resort. —Excuse us, but what’s so fascinating and involving about that?

Development

With its plot development gone awry, the movie tries to compensate with cute and clever touches here and there, but they can’t completely distract us from the fact that the flick is telling a rather un-involving tale.

The production does better with the “different” characterization that lead actress, Rhian Ramos, turns in. It’s the first time the young actress is playing a kontrabida, but she takes to the role like a duck to water. She’s clearly having herself a good time as she slaps her TV co-stars this way and that, and stuns them with her verbal ripostes.

Trouble is she isn’t on villain mode for very long, since she has to show her soft side as her character repents after her moral epiphany.

The production falters again when it occasionally opts to go on “musical” mode. Yes, it’s done with tongue firmly in cheek, but it’s still an iffy gambit, because the cast members don’t have much tone and tempo going for them.

Vengeful campaign

Least productive of all is the portrayal turned in by Aljur Abrenica as the object of Rhian’s vengeful “heartbreak” campaign. For her vile efforts to remain interesting, he should be able to give as well as take—but he’s just a hunky wimp throughout the movie, so no sparks fly, and the flick remains only mildly diverting.

That really is too bad because, after the dud that was Aljur’s “Machete” series, we expected him to regain lost ground and come up with something more dynamic by way of this movie. Alas, no such improvement is forthcoming, as the otherwise eager-to-please young hunk turns in with another “sculpted” portrayal.

We trust that this isn’t a permanent state of affairs, and that Aljur’s next, big role will motivate him to infuse more dynamism and vitality into his performance.

The way out for Aljur? Go for characters who aren’t nice and obliging, but can feistily fight back with exciting flash and fury and, no more “statuesque” performances, please.