WATCH: Alessandra De Rossi, JM De Guzman play newlyweds confronted with challenges early on in ‘What If?’
Alessandra De Rossi and JM De Guzman in scenes from “What If?” Screenshots from Netflix Philippines’ YouTube channel
Alessandra De Rossi and JM De Guzman are reunited in the romantic drama “What If?” which centers on a new marriage challenged by hard truths.
The film’s award-winning leads, who co-starred in the 2019 film “Lucid,” portray newlyweds Billie (De Rossi) and Jecs (De Guzman) whose honeymoon is stormed literally and figuratively—by issues they confront while stuck on an island.
The trailer for the Manny Palo-helmed project was released recently, and opens to the scene of the couple’s—both are musicians—wedding.
“You helped me become a better man,” declared De Guzman’s character, who also promised his bride that from then on, she would always have someone by her side.”
A part of Billie’s vow expressed her anticipation of several discoveries they would learn about each other as they navigate married life. However, based on the trailer, De Rossi’s character might not have predicted—and thus, was unprepared for—realizations about herself.
“I don’t really know how to take care of anything, or maybe, I just don’t deserve to be in any relationship,” Billie uttered in one of the scenes, which was followed by another heartbreaking line addressed to her partner—“I cannot even give you what you want. How can you call that perfect?
Jecs, at one point in the trailer, admitted to having the desire for the truth, but was caught off guard by how painful it could be.
Heard playing throughout the happy and gloomy moments of the trailer is a song that seemingly features the voices of both actors. Instagram posts on De Rossi’s page have hinted at the co-stars contributing music for the film, which is set for release on Sept. 7.
The upcoming movie, which commenced filming last year, also stars Ana Abad Santos, Chard Ocampo, Anna Luna, Jett Pangan and Soliman Cruz, among others.
On Aug. 12 last year, the pair who also both appeared in the series “Manilennials,” teased their reunion project via Instagram. The “Watch List” actress also revealed, through her post, that she co-wrote the film’s story with Mike G. Rivera, who also was in charge of the screenplay.
Aside from “What If?” De Rossi was involved in crafting the story for her previous projects such as “Through Night and Day” (co-written by her good friend Noreen Capili) and “My Amanda,” which was her directorial debut. The actress-TV host also recently reunited with comedian Empoy Marquez for the Sigrid Bernardo-helmed “Walang KaParis.” Bernardo is also the director of Marquez and De Rossi’s blockbuster hit “Kita Kita.”
De Guzman, who is part of the Kapamilya series “The Iron Heart,” recently topbilled the film “Adik Sa’Yo” alongside Cindy Miranda. He is set to appear in another ABS-CBN drama, “Linlang,” which also features Paulo Avelino, Kim Chiu, and veteran actress Maricel Soriano, among others. /ra
