KYLIE PADILLA proves in “Unravel” that she can be a very competent actress.
The movie starts and ends with her. It’s told from her point of view as a young CEO who separated from his wife-beating husband and faces mental health issues and clinical depression, so she goes to Switzerland for assisted death or suicide.
“This is a movie of many first for me,” she says. “First time ko to be paired with a Kapamilya actor, Gerald Anderson, and first time also with our director, RC de los Reyes.
"Tapos, first time ko to go to Switzerland where we shot the movie. And first time ko rin to play a clinically depressed woman who’s thinking of killing herself.”
Playing her character, Lucy Hermosa, is a big challenge to her.
“But it’s good I was able to empathize with her and her personal journey. I understood where she’s coming and how she is feeling.
"The movie starts with her imagining her own wake and funeral. But in Switzerland, she finds a savior, Gerald as Noah, and I find their love story very endaring.”
As their story unfolds, they get to visit all the awesome scenic sights in Switzerland.
It’s a feel good story up to this point, as their characters get to know each other better.
“Kaya lang may twist sa ending which, of course, I cannot divulge,” adds Kylie.
“You have to see the movie and find out for yourself what happened to the characters Gerald and I play.
"I promise you that you will be touched, you might even cry, but it ends with a very positive note na very life-affirming talaga.”
The role of Lucy and the film itself helped her in coping with her own fears and the anxieties that she feels about life.
“Life offers us a lot of challenges and doing the movie, I discovered that I’m stronger than I thought.
"There are dangerous things that I did in the movie, like canyon swinging which is more scary than bungee jumping or a zipline.
"I also did skydiving na akala ko, hindi ko magagawa. But I have to trust and thank Gerald, our director and the staff kasi they’re all very supportive.
"Nagawa ko naman and I am proud of my accomplishments as it gave me the feeling I’d be able to conquer all the difficult obstacles life would throw at me.”
Gerald says he admires Kylie for her courage in doing the risky scenes.
“Bumilib talaga ako sa tapang niya kasi hindi siya umatras in the buwis-buhay scenes,” he adds.
“I enjoyed working with her as she’s such a professional. She is in good even in the dramatic scenes we did.”
‘Unravel’ is a thought-provoking film about people with mental health issues who seriously considering taking their own life. Memorable films about clinical depression include “Perks of a Wall Flower”, “Silver Linings Playbook”, and “Good Will Hunting”.
‘Unravel’ succeeds in holding our attention as it’s also a riveting love story between two people who both have problems of their own. Then, there’s the beautiful setting.
The screenplay by Senedy Que manages to show all the touristy places in Switzerland.
The film does not come out as a mere travelogue as they are all convincingly integrated into the story, like the scene where Kyline and Gerald met in front of the tomb of comedian Charlie Chaplin and spoke to each other for first time.
Both Kylie and Gerald deliver awesome performances in their respective roles.
We won’t be surprised if Kylie would be nominated, or even bag the Summer Metro Manila Filmfest best actress award come the filmfest awards night on April 11.
Her acting is so effortless, both in the quiet scenes and in the only drama scene where she is shown breaking down and finally sobbing uncontrollably.
We truly wish viewers would watch it, even if they’re alienated by the title.
A lot of ordinary viewers ask us: “Ano ba ibig sabihin noon?” And they don’t even know how to pronounce it correctly.
“Unravel” po means to clear up, tanggalin ang mga buhol sa inyong buhay.
Ang correct pronounciation naman po is short “a”, not long as in un-ray-vel but as plain un-RA-vel.
Titles should really be easily understood by viewers for them to be interested in it.
Another title that seems to alienate viewers is “Ang Libro sa Napanood Ko”. Some folks are asking us what that title means.
