Review | ‘Hello, Love, Goodbye’: A beautiful third-world romance

Is there a word that captures pain and happiness at the same time? Perhaps, three words could.

Hello, Love, Goodbye is a romance story only a third-world country like us could make it work or perhaps appreciate. Not every one has the luxury of building a life with another person and at the same time, gaining a sense of personal fulfillment.

The film revolves around the story of two Filipino workers Joy and Ethan, portrayed by actors from competing TV networks - ABS-CBN’s Kathryn Bernardo and GMA’s Alden Richards. The casting reflects the story of two people from different worlds who are conflicted between choosing their personal goals and romance. Bernardo and Richards deliver the job well and show that they are skilled actors outside their respective love teams. The tandem reminds me of Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz, who do not need to be in a relationship off-cam to enchant us in the love story.

With “Hello, Love, Goodbye”, Star Cinema is also doing away with formulaic romantic movies. The parents are not there to advise the characters like a deus ex machina - in the story, they are as flawed as anyone and are part of the leads’ struggles. No more fast forwards to prove the cliché that “time heals wounds” - technically, there’s one, but it’s an effective non-linear storytelling. Cathy Garcia-Molina’s latest opus Hello, Love, Goodbye is a winner in the eyes of regular moviegoers and cinephiles.

There may be aesthetics borrowed from Japanese films like ending the movie with the title ala Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name. On the technical side, there is a scene obviously shot in green screen that we also have to forgive. 

Nevertheless, it is one of the beautiful local genre films worth watching right now. 

Rating: 9/10

The reviewer bought his own ticket to see the movie. Hello, Love, Goodbye is now showing in the Philippines.