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I'm freaking out, dude!
Agaton & Mindy is a story that lingers between the anti-romantic and the anti-tragedy of the formulaic love stimulated stories. It’s a film directed by Peque Gallaga with a script written with Lore Reyes and Vicente Gracia Groyon. This film might not be liked by most people not because it is terrible, rather it is something unusual. The misconception is the core of this tale to be taken just how it is presented.
This might be the first romantic film that could also be a character study of two unlikely individuals. Agaton (Chase Vega) is a loner, mysterious and somewhat restrained from showing an emotional connection with anyone. He is abandoned by his mother when he is still young. Mindy (Louisse delos Reyes) is quite the opposite, mainly due to her manic episodes, she always cusses at everyone and is stuck with her made-up fantasies. They get to meet in a dance class handled by the fiery, outspoken and sensual dance mentor Tanya (Cherie Gil). Their pairing is awkward at first. But along the way, these two opposite polarities flourish yieldingly.
Agaton & Mindy not just tackles love. It gives reverence to theatrical dance as a whole. Some might not be able to relate with the sheer beauty of this craft. The sensuality in their dance routine is not based on symbolisms. It is more on the outpouring of emotions, the desires, and the inexorable manifestations of two loving individuals. Instead, they use dance as the electricity of being in love, words might not be enough. Art is a form of expressing love which could go sideways with the love for the craft. It is usually inspired by such passionate and bewildering complexities.
What the audience might not be able to understand is Mindy. She is a typical angsty young girl who seeks to be noticed. She has a bipolar disorder. This film manifests a clear consideration of a person who has this kind of mood disorder. What you see is what it is. What you might not understand in this film is more likely awareness. She is not just a brat. She deals with her self in the dark. She is unlikable and hotheaded but this is her struggle. Agaton might not understand what she’s dealing with. But love is a cataract in the eye, and the haze is quite lovely. It underlines the fine qualities and acknowledges the flaws.
Upper class individuals are mostly present in the film. Could this be a nuisance? I hope not. They are branded as conyos of today’s generation. They love to socialize and use jargons on a daily basis. There are no conflicts between the social classes. The film is a representation of society in general.
Agaton & Mindy is not the usual love story. It tackles a character that is not common to romanticists especially to a character having psychological troubles and it is the cause of the story’s conflict. The problem could not be controlled and it’s not within anyone’s hands. It’s a self struggle; a struggle that would be ignored by most. Could love save this kind of relationship? I think that would depend on how we deal with the reality, not only for practicality’s sake, but more on how we could synthesize our own support system. Nearing the end of the film, these two characters did not only show film presence as a love pair, they could also win our compassion without too much hypocrisy of their true identity. I understand very well their plights, mostly of Mindy. It’s complicated to consume but love brings us back to reality. Perhaps love is not madness, but rather an act of beautiful sanity. Charlie Koon's Rating: 
Not my fingers!
Jacko (Christian Vasquez) gets bankrupt after losing a bet in a cockfight. He loses ownership of Puccini’s, an Italian Restaurant to a charismatic man famously called Boss Dolpo played by Peque Gallaga. Luckily, the hushed Dolpo loves food so much and was delighted with Jacko’s cooking skills. He was hired to be the cook of the restaurant in-the-making. Meanwhile, Cassie (Angel Jacob) is hired to be the food consultant. It surprises Jacko as Cassie is his former girlfriend, making him think that Cassie is making her sweet revenge.
Namets! is shown in last year’s Cinemalaya Film Festival. I was not able to watch any of the films in competition unfortunately as most of the films I wanted to see were all sold out. That is great to hear though. Namets! shows a pretty good grasp on how to make films concerning food with dynamism and originality. Its take on how to make a film more appetizing is incredibly seen. There are supplementary sequences oblique from the core story showing the Negrense Cuisine evolution. It also shows the proper way of eating the famous Bacolod Chicken Inasal. And of course, Ilonggo’s serious craving for Napoleones, a to-die-for glazed pudding.
Aside from the qualities of the film and the food, I would certainly agree with how the characters are molded within the story. Like what I have said in my Yanggaw review, my father is from Bacolod. He grew up in Silay for most of his childhood. We always go there for a fine vacation visiting our relatives. Jacko’s character is so true. I think its innate in most rich probinsiyanos with the way he lives. He changes his mind from one course to another until he ends up doing nothing. Most of my cousins are like that and it doesn’t matter because they have wealth and would have a back-up just in case. Their love for food is so serious and I certainly have lived up to this. Whenever we go to Bacolod, we always eat out and it is a must that the food is a hundred percent good or else. And why can’t I deprive to eat in that place? Their dishes are all sumptuous and I agree that the best time to eat La Paz Batchoy is during the afternoon.
Cassie’s character is the contrast of Jacko. She is independent and is well organized. Has a clear position in her life and has goals that she wants to accomplish. She appears to be rakish in her actions taking in consideration that she studies at Le Roche Culinary in Switzerland. All of a sudden, when love is again re-sparkled, she slows down a bit and savors the best thing life can offer. There could be a revenge factor on the first look with how she corresponds to Jacko. But her heart does not allow her to do so.
Namets! is a technically superior indie film. The interiors of both restaurants are laudably decorated. The music of Vince de Jesus is enchanting. The director Jay Abello and his writer Vicente Gracia Groyon has made an enticing film. I think Jacob is not an Ilongga but her accent will very much pass for an Ilongga socialite. And I commend her on how natural she gets into her character. Vasquez is well likely to play the part as he is a true-blooded Ilonggo.
The way to know Ilonggos are through food. I remember talking to my Auntie when she makes her classic Molo Soup. I will always ask her how she makes it. She will ask me back, what did you taste in the soup? And I will answer every ingredient I have tasted. Then we will go through the process and the secret ways of doing it until I realize that there is no secret but just common sense. Namets! is basic. I enjoyed watching it not because of acquired taste or cultural biases but it is because it is simple and pleasing to the senses.
Charlie Koon's Rating: 
