When you think of a romantic movie set in the Philippines, the 'City of Angels', you might expect a sweet and heartwarming story. But Ollae?! - The City of Angels (2017) makes us question, 'What is this?' With a TMDB score of only 4/10, this film leaves viewers confused. Let's find out why a seemingly promising movie turned into a forgettable piece of work.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The film opens by inviting people to travel to the Philippines, the 'City of Angels', promising you'll fall in love at first sight. The main characters include Il-bong (Jo Wan-jin), a Korean man traveling to the Philippines in search of love; Mina (Papichaya Prapatanan), a Thai girl with dreams; and Siya (Watcharaporn Wongchai), who seems to have a complicated relationship with Il-bong. The story moves quickly and rather confusingly, as if the film tries to cram multiple forms of romance into just 70 minutes, but lacks development and realism. The turning point occurs when the characters face unexpected obstacles, but it doesn't create any impression or emotional engagement. The film ends abruptly without resolving various plot points, leaving the audience feeling abandoned midway.
Acting and Characters
Lead actor Jo Wan-jin tries to convey the emotions of Il-bong, a young man longing for love, but is limited by a shallow script and unnatural dialogue. Papichaya Prapatanan as Mina merely smiles and stares blankly, lacking charm and depth. Watcharaporn Wongchai as Siya may be a small bright spot with her striking look, but cannot save the entire film. Supporting actors like Yoon Dong-gyoo (Jun-sik) and Walaipech Link Khunthira (Housekeeper) have barely memorable roles. Nuttida Kiatmingmongkol (Massage Girl) appears only for a few minutes. Overall, the acting lacks energy and credibility, making it hard for the audience to connect with the love the film tries to present.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
Director NS. Tak may have a vision to capture the beauty of the Philippines, but only scratches the surface. Scenes of locations like beaches and temples look beautiful in some shots, but erratic editing disrupts emotional continuity. Shaky camera work and inconsistent lighting give the film an amateurish quality. The music is unremarkable, with songs that hardly enhance the romantic mood, instead becoming more of a distraction. The film lacks a clear visual and audio identity, making it hard to remember.
Editorial Analysis
On the surface, Ollae?! - The City of Angels might seem like a typical romantic movie, but upon deeper examination, it's an example of a film that tries to tell multiple stories but fails at everything. The screenplay lacks character development and relationship building; the pacing is rushed, preventing emotional engagement. However, the film may have charm for fans of B-movies or so-bad-it's-good films, as its flaws become a form of entertainment in their own right. If you're looking for a serious romantic film, skip this one. But if you want to laugh at cinematic mistakes, give it a try. For more movie reviews and information about similar films, you can read more at รวมหนังดูฟรี, which compiles interesting reviews and recommendations.
Verdict
Ollae?! - The City of Angels is a romantic movie that missed the chance to make an impression. If you're a fan of watching bad movies for fun, it might be acceptable. But for general audiences, it's recommended to skip it for something more worthwhile.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Filming locations in the Philippines are beautiful.
- +Effort to blend Thai, Korean, and Filipino cultures.
- +Short 70-minute runtime, not a big time investment.
👎 Cons
- −Weak screenplay lacking development.
- −Unnatural acting, lacking charm.
- −Editing and cinematography look unprofessional.
Top Cast
FAQ
The film was released in 2017 in South Korea and Thailand. Currently, it can be found on some streaming platforms or DVD.
It's a romantic film about people from different nationalities traveling to the Philippines in search of love, but encountering obstacles and complex relationships.
Because of the weak script, poor acting, and unprofessional production, leaving most viewers disappointed.
