Director Chris Martinez Impressed By Jake, Paulo & Maja In 'Status: It's Complicated'

DIRECTOR CHRIS MARTINEZ says “Status: It’s Complicated” is much easier to remake from “Salawahan” than the first remake of a Regal film he did, “Temptation Island”. “Mas mahirap gawin ang ‘Temptation Island kasi location pa lang noon sa Ilocos sand dunes, talagang physically challenging na,” he says. “’Status: It’s Complicated’ is such a breeze to film kasi ang mas importante rito yung chemistry, repartee and comic timing ng mga artista. Bernal's work is still daunting to remake kasi syempre kailangan matapatan ng mga artista yung level ng original cast or mahigitan pa. But the final cut shows ibang iba ang naging attack ng new cast ko dito sa remake. Unang una I didn't require them to see the original para magkaroon sila ng fresh approach sa roles nila - which they achieved with flying colors. Masayang masaya ako sa performances ng buong cast ko.”

How’s the acting of Jake Cuenca and Paulo Avelino? “Super impressed ako kay Jake kasi napakataas palagi ng energy niya which is what’s required for the role of the caveman alpha male playboy Manny. Alam ko magaling siya pero sobra akong hindi handa when we shot the film kasi he exceeded my expectations. Kuhang-kuha niya yung character na gusto ko. Tuwang tuwa rin ako sa rapport nila ni Paulo. Silang dalawa kasi ang sentro ng kwento. At grabe ang demands sa kanilang dalawa kasi kilometric ang mga lines at gusto ko rapid fire ang batuhan ng mga linya. Walang hinga, walang gaps in between. Bira lang nang bira ng linya. Bawal mag-ad lib. Kailangan, they stick to the script. Very screwball ang tono. Syempre minsan nagbu-buckle sila ni Paulo so paulit-ulit yun hanggang ma-perfect namin yung rhythm, 'yung lines. Importante 'yun para sa kin sa pelikulang ito. Si Paulo, bagay na bagay sa kanya yung role. Iniba namin yung look niya. Ginawa namin siya nerdy geeky dorky guy na torpe. Game na game siya. Walang arte. At saka 'yung face niya, his eyes and his smile, pwedeng pwedeng pang comedy eh. Most of the scenes, kasama silang dalawa palagi which I found refreshing as a director . Most of the films I did kasi, babae ang artista ko, ngayon very masculine ang point of view ng script, eh. So different experience din ito for the viewers. They will get a glimpse of how the mind of the Pinoy male works when it comes to love, dating and sex.”

How about the three actresses: Maja Salvador, Solenn Heussaff and Eugene Domingo? “Solenn I’ve worked with in ‘Temptation’ na before at si Uge, ilang beses ko nang nakasama so kabisado na namin ang isa’t isa. Maasahan talaga sila. They deliver. Pero si Maja, first time kong nakatrabaho. Unang-una, gusto kong magpasalamat for her trust lalo na sa parasailing scene in Boracay! Ha-ha-ha! She was so afraid but she conquered her fear! First time kasi niya gawin 'yun. You know, magaling talaga siya. Very versatile si Maja. Magaling siya mag comedy. Very lovable at innate ang comic timing niya. I think Maja is the actress to really watch out for. Kahit saan mo isabak, pwede siya. Lahat ng nakatrabaho ko for the first time, I look forward to working again in the future. I would love to work with Maja and Jake and Paulo again. Ganun kaganda at kagaan ang experience ko sa kanila.”  Read, Solenn Heussaff Goes Sexy In Her Boracay Scenes In 'Status: It's Complicated'.

We really can’t wait to see this movie that will have its premiere night at SM Megamall on Tuesday and opens in theatres nationwide on Wednesday, November 6.