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Noted actors Alessandra de Rossi and JM de Guzman are back on screen with the much-anticipated Netflix film, “What If?” which dropped on Thursday, September 7.
The film promises to take viewers on an emotional rollercoaster ride through the highs and lows of a newly married couple's relationship.
De Rossi and de Guzman's on-screen reunion is a cause for celebration following their critically acclaimed 2019 film, “Lucid.”
Reflecting on their chemistry back then, de Rossi minced no words in saying she had since wanted to work with de Guzman again,”In 'Lucid,' we only had four days together, and [they weren't even] whole [days]. I liked his presence and thought, 'Hey, he's good to work with. No fuss, easy to talk to,'” de Rossi explained at a roundtable this week.
“But it felt like our team-up was cut short. We felt like we needed to work together again. And this time, in 'What If,' we got to spend a longer time together for two weeks.”
The said fortnight for “What If” served to complete de Rossi's understanding of her second-time leading man.
“I discovered many things about JM in this film. Sometimes, he doesn't immediately let go of a scene. It's as if he needs a hug afterward. But what's great about JM is that no matter what you throw at him in a scene, he catches it. He's not like other actors who are not just surprised by what you do, but neither know how to respond.”
The premise of “What If?” is as captivating as it is relatable. The story revolves around a newlywed couple, Billie (de Rossi) and Jecs (de Guzman), who embark on a romantic honeymoon on an enchanting island. However, their idyllic getaway takes an unexpected turn when they find themselves stranded by a storm.
What follows is a gripping exploration of the harsh realities of their relationship, putting their love to the ultimate test.
De Rossi, who also serves as producer on the film through her company A World Of Our Own, shared that the inspiration for the story struck during the pandemic.
“Since everyone was locked up at home, it felt like you might go crazy, and sometimes that happens when you get to know someone's true nature,” she began.
“So I thought, how about a couple who didn't spend much time together [before marriage] and then get locked up on honeymoon, with nowhere to run? It seemed interesting to create a story like that.”
Simple as the plot may sound, bringing it to life proved challenging.
“Even if we developed [the story], it took a long time [to start shooting] because JM had TV series and movies to work on. So it took more than a year [to proceed] to the point where the pandemic already ended,” de Rossi recalled.
Once they finally started rolling, though, everything fell into place, what with the standout realistic portrayal of the conflicts that arise between the couple.
De Guzman emphasized his and de Rossi's commitment to authenticity in portraying their roles, saying, “As much as possible, we stayed true to the real and raw emotions of the story.”
Elaborating on her character, Billie, De Rossi said, “During our fights, as much as she tries to remain calm, Billie eventually explodes. She tries to be composed, but there will be a breaking point.”
De Guzman cited another factor that will always make the film memorable to him: they were able to tap into their musicality for the project. He and de Rossi were allowed to contribute to the film's soundtrack with their original compositions.
With such a storied journey in making the film and really getting to know each other's artistry in this reunion project, it is almost a certainty that “What If” will be worth the time of Netflix streamers on this, its first weekend on demand, and beyond.
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Credit belongs to : www.manilatimes.net
