TV & Film
Trigger warning: This film and article contain mentions of alcoholism.
In On Vodka, Beers, and Regrets, director Irene Villamor manages to craft a poignant tale about two individuals whose relationship was borne out of a night of, you guessed it, vodka, beer, and regrets.
The film follows the story of Jane Pineda (Bela Padilla), a washed-up actress and former child star whose career hits rock bottom after getting swept into a big scandal. Her life gets tangled up with an aspiring musician named Francis (JC Santos) and upon meeting in a bar and sharing a few drinks, their relationship seemingly blossoms into something more.
In what seems like your typical meet-cute hides a no-nonsense look into the effects of alcoholism on an individual. Jane chose to take refuge under the influence of a bottle of alcohol ever since her career went on a downward spiral. Her descent into alcoholism is the main driving force of the plot as it reveals her destructive nature to herself, her career, and ultimately her relationship with Francis.
Padilla expertly plays the struggling Jane whose character development was the highlight of the film’s roughly 90-minute runtime. With every twist and turn in the plot, Padilla is at the top of her game in showcasing Jane’s vulnerability and her complicated character, effortlessly displaying her battle for self-control throughout the movie.
Another highlight of the film is the chemistry between the two leads. Seeing the two interact and converse makes the lighter parts of the film movie all the more endearing. From the candidness of their flirtations to their somber heart-to-hearts, authenticity is the name of the game when it comes to Santos and Padilla. In their fourth on-screen pairing, the dynamic couple’s electricity is palpable in every scene they share.
With alcoholism playing a vital role in the story, On Vodka, Beers, and Regrets might not be the typical feel-g00d kilig movie you’d want to watch with your significant other during Valentine’s. Nonetheless, it’s a brutally honest and relatable love story between two flawed and complicated individuals just trying to battle their inner demons and maybe find love along the way.
