The sound of laughter is 'Boom!'

Film review: Boy Pick-Up

MANILA, Philippines - The first time I saw the poster for Regal Entertainment/GMA Films’ latest co-production, Boy Pick-Up, I have to confess I was wary that here was the resurrection of the Andrew E. films of the past. We have the rap/hip-hop genre being utilized as a contest for pick-up lines and a source of comedy, a scenario not unlike the Andrew E. films with Andrew as the centerpiece, various sexy girls to ogle at, and his posse to provide added laughs and gags.

Inspired by the Boy Pick-Up skits of Bubble Gang, this Dominic Zapata-directed film that stars Ogie Alcasid, Solenn Heussaff, Dennis Trillo and Sam Pinto, thankfully offers much more; in large part, to the visual interpretation of comedy that sparkles throughout the film.

The plot line is straightforward, Boy is the pick-up line champion, the villain in the piece is Gab (Dennis Trillo), a nerdy frat boy, who in despair when left jilted at the altar, reincarnates as the Goth rapper Bagwis. Angel (Solenn) is a bakery owner who hires Boy as pastry chef and develops feelings for him. More than ready to indulge in physical, slapstick comedy, Solenn seems to be channeling Toni Gonzaga in this film, and it serves her well, as it adds depth and dimension to her role, while proving to be the main difference from Andrew E.’s films where the girls were often mere window-dressing.

It’s the succession of sight gags that distinguishes this film. Boy’s bachelor pad, the baking of the fish cake, the courting that goes on in a memorial park, a Bollywood-type dream costume sequence, and the journey that Boy takes to find his Master and rekindle his “mojo” (it’s like Forrest Gump meets Bill and Ted) — they all had the audience in stitches, and is evidence of direk Dom’s mastery of the material.

Melodramatic and over-acted on purpose, the film is also peppered by cameos. I remember Derek Ramsay, Boy Abunda, Vicki Belo, Tim Yap, Gina Alajar and Aljur Abrenica, to name a few. Michael V., Sarah Lahbati, and a host of Bubble Gang regulars are also in the cast.

And of course, it’s Ogie who carries this film with his portrayal of Boy Pick-Up, the rapper with a lot of heart, searching for love, with a goldfish as his best friend and confidante. Very much in the vein of the Mike Myers, Jack Black and Adam Sandler comedy films, Boy Pick-Up may not win any film awards, but it will find its audience, and they will leave the cinema with a broad smile on their faces.