[Movie Schmovie] Ploning

I am a Judy Ann Santos fan. No shame in admitting that. Naturally, I supported my idol's new movie, "Ploning". Tthe reviews on Clickthecity.com made me optimistic that the movie's good. They were only showing it in SM Cinemas, so Pesem and I went to SM Megamall Friday evening to see it. Dinner first at Italianni's (super sulit buffet!). Then the movie. P104 petots later, I was slightly conflicted. First of all, this character, Ploning, is slightly different from the characters Judy Ann's been playing for the past few years. During the first half of the movie, I was complaining to Pesem that I somehow feel detached from her character. But then towards the end, as the story unfolded, her detachment to the audience, we realized, was deliberate. The story was rather simple. Cinematography was exquisite. Acting... was just ok. There were a few people they could have cast differently. Editing was good. Overall... still something missing. Can't seem to put my finger on it. I think our movie experience was greatly influenced by the the smelly cinema and the uncomfortable seats. Never again!