I must confess to a special fondness for comedies in which the rules of time, space and logic are suspended so that misguided people can straighten themselves out. Here Comes the Groom's (Quantum Films, Cineko Productions, Brightlight Productions, 2023) measure of integrity is that it moves smoothly, convincingly and with minimal self-consciousness from farce to earnest sentiment, earning your tears at the climactic rapprochement because it has treated you so generously to laughter on the way. Loud but never coarse, candid without being prurient, Here Comes the Groom is a quick-witted, perfectly modulated farce with a pair of beautifully matched performances from Keempee de Leon and especially Enchong Dee, who does some of his best work ever. Both tears and laughter arise from writer-director Chris Martinez's canny and unforced understanding of what makes his characters tick. Rodrigo (De Leon) and Junior (Dee) are recognizable types but also solid individuals, something that becomes clear only after their identity swap. In De Leon, we see the wistfulness and uncertainty beside his facade of brisk confidence. Similarly, it is only when Junior (Dee) is thrown into Wilhelmina's (KaladKaren) person that his strong, passionate ardor comes into full view.
Dee's performance is a marvel. He bounds beyond mimicry and gimmickry. He’s nothing short of dazzling as he enjoys one of his relatively rare opportunities to showcase his splendid comic timing and graceful physicality. De Leon always had an undercurrent of playfulness, his masterful interpretation of Wanda’s (Xilhouete) persona from voice inflection to simple hand gestures is frighteningly accurate yet funny. Sheer perfection! With a natural and nuanced ease, he just gets better with every role. Early scenes are a tad too over-emphatic, almost strident, really as Martinez errs on the side of obviousness while setting up familiar premise. Once he completes his expository duties, Martinez lightens his touch to allow for a freer, friskier sort of comedic interplay. Here Comes the Groom comes complete with maxims about seeing life through someone else’s eyes and appreciating the pressures brought to bear on loved ones. To his credit, Martinez sugar-coats the bite-sized life lessons with humor and verve. A strong supporting cast including Tony Labrusca, whose character Hans reveals surprising depth and decency in a key scene. Gladys Reyes on the other hand is a comic delight as Rodrigo's sprightly wife, Salve. A winning combination of acting, writing and direction, Here Comes the Groom will have you wondering what freak of nature occurred to bring us this delightfully refreshing comedy.
Sound Design: Janinna Minglanilla, Emilio Bien Sparks
Music: Emerzon Texon
Editor: Dennis Austria Salgado
Production Design: Angel Diesta
Director of Photography: Moises M.M. Zee, LPS
Written and Directed By; Chris Martinez
