My Amnesia Girl sets the right mood for the holidays

MANILA, Philippines - Director Cathy Garcia-Molina is right after all.

When she decided to cast John Lloyd Cruz and Toni Gonzaga in My Amnesia Girl, Star Cinema’s pre-Christmas “Valentine in November” offering, the company executives were having second thoughts. Their first question to direk Cathy was: “Do they have chemistry?”

The unanimous answer came from those who were at the movie’s premiere Tuesday night and those who trooped to theaters nationwide when the movie opened last Wednesday.

“Yes, there is,” they said.

My Amnesia Girl has turned out to be a fun movie about a girl who doesn’t remember her past including the boyfriend who chickened out of marrying her but is now deadest on winning her back after he realizes what a big mistake he has done. The girl is played by Toni and the guy by John Lloyd.

At first himself doubting if he and Toni would make a good match, John Lloyd is now convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that direk Cathy was right after all.

“Never did I think that Toni has this certain charm na di ko akalaing babagay sa movie,” John Lloyd said. “She really surprised me.”

Known for her “magic touch” at the box-office, direk Cathy has a string of hits to her name, including Bcuz of U (2004), You Are The One (2006), One More Chance and You Got Me (2007), A Very Special Love and My Big Love (2008), You Changed My Life (2009) and Miss You Like Crazy (2010). And now, My Amnesia Girl.

Admitted direk Cathy, “I get the gut feeling that two ‘unlikely’ stars will match but it’s only when the shoot starts and as it progresses will I know that they have chemistry. My gut feeling for John Lloyd and Toni was right from the start.”

A real feel-good romance-comedy, My Amnesia Girl sets the bright mood for the long holidays. Its merry start at the tills augurs well for local movies in next month’s Metro Manila Filmfest which aims to gross P500-M.

May kilig and may kiliti aptly describe the overall impact of the movie.

“An effective stress-reliever,” said one of the early viewers. “Nakaka-aliw, nakakagaan ng pakiramdam.”