Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Let's be realistic.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

I do not usually give reviews or critics to movies or any form of entertainment product as it is too mainstream and a job left to professional movie critics but I can't help but give my review to this Filipino movie right here as probably it is one of the best Filipino movies of the past year and probably the best movie of the Metro Manila Film Festival thus so far since the releases of the likes of Tanging Ina and Mano Po in the early 2000s. The Metro Manila Film Festival has always been criticized for having "movie craps" for the past few seasons as it focuses more on the commercialism of the film, box office success and the social influence of the stars. What movie makers forget during the film season is the creation of a film that has an astounding story, genuine acting, beautiful cinematography, creative editing, and emotion catching musical score complementing the story. English Only, Please is that Filipino romantic comedy that captures the essence of a true motion picture worth to be seen in a Film Festival. Everything about the film is just fine and pristine that I would find minimal if not none annoying Filipino movie clichés and errors. The use of a dictionary-styled editing, comedic side events and eccentric characters proved effective in the creation of the movie's unique story. The story is worth watching as its not just beautiful in terms of aesthetics but beautiful in providing the audience lessons about love for country, self, and others. Its not your average Filipino romantic comedy as it transgresses beyond that, its amazing. Even for a guy like me, I had some moments of excitement and kilig to the love developing between Tere and Julian. Its a love story beyond compare. Its a film worth watching thats why I give it a 10 out of 10 as it is the best MMFF film of 2014, probably the best MMFF film at the first half of the decades that is 2010s and the best romantic comedy I have seen in years. As the movie festival closes, I really commend this movie as it is a Filipino romantic comedy that can rival amongst international romantic comedy flicks. It is a movie worth learning to by movie directors and producers. English Only, Please is the reason why my trust is regained to the Filipino movie industry. It's the best Filipino romantic comedy I have ever seen.

A Filipino-American man hires a translator to help him translate his letter to the woman who broke his heart.Character development is very good. The script is fine for this type of movie. Great acting for both protagonists and some supporting actors. The story is clichéd and it was unavoidable since most of the movies in the Philippines is a 'kilig' movie. This movie is a 'game changer' in a sense that common Filipino rom- com movies have a formula, simply put: "Introduction of Boy, introduction of girl, both have problems, they fell in love for a single reason, montage of them falling in love." See? This makes the characters' introduction a filler.Not bad for a kilig Filipino movie.In this context, kilig means 'romantic excitement.'

Our local romantic films are usually built for showbiz relevancy or a cash-grab that doesn't go beyond than forcing the audience to "kilig" at every moment with the couple. English Only, Please is one of the rare that naturally makes the audience root for the romance. The formula of the genre is inevitable, it sometimes compromises what has achieved, but the characters are already compelling. It's sometimes doesn't matter if the two would end up together, placing them in sorts of situation simply makes the film engaging. English Only, Please is the type of mainstream local romcom that we don't usually see and only by its genuine charm, there is a huge value to it.The story is still bound by clichés, but what blinds us from that fact is how it develops the relationship of the leading couple. It is sometimes enough for the two to just hang out to overcome their complicated personal issues, how the film grows on their connection is what makes it utterly likable. It just cleverly fleshes out both of the characters, thus their honest discussions easily make every moment engaging. The film is also having fun with its own idea, as it makes a laugh and fascination about Julian's fitting in to the new language and culture he is learning. It never goes to the strange or over-the-top level of its humor, it's just plain truthful social outlook.The familiar elements were almost invisible, until it becomes a big deal in the end where it concludes with an emotional climax. That is when it finally feels contrived, finding an easier way to finish the story. While it's still charming, that conventional turn feels kind of a step down compared to what it has accomplished. But that third act is too small to overpower the rest of the movie. The most notable merit here is the writing, it just smartly handles its characters and often pull off some witty dialogue. The performances also bring a wonderful effect. Derek Ramsay does a good job at developing his character's growth into this environment. Jennylyn Mercado mostly carries the whole film and she brings plenty of charms to her character.Compared to many local romcoms today, English Only, Please feels refreshing. It is something that you can totally admit that you had a good time with it, specifically to those aren't fans to these types of movies. It still gets awkwardly conventional at the end, but most of it is pretty heartfelt, smart and funny to make for a satisfying romantic film, plus it has a lead couple that are reasonable enough to care about. I guess that is already enough for English Only, Please to be a pretty good film.