Suddenly It's Magic is a 2012 Filipino-Thai romantic film directed by Filipino film director Rory Quintos, starring Thai actor Mario Maurer and Filipina actress Erich Gonzales. The film is produced by Star Cinema and was released on October 31, 2012, in the Philippines. On March 7, 2013, Baifern Pimchanok confirmed on her Twitter account that the movie will be screened in Thailand on March 14, 2013, at the Major Cineplex theater.[3] Following Thailand's premiere of the movie, on March 25, 2013, Cambodia's Legend Cinemas confirmed on their Facebook fanpage of the official screening of the movie in the country on March 28, 2013.[4]

Suddenly It's Magic
Theatrical movie poster
Directed byRory B. Quintos
Screenplay byVanessa R. Valdez
Story by
  • Enrico C. Santos
  • Vanessa R. Valdez
Produced by
Starring
Production
company
Distributed by
  • Star Cinema (Philippines)
  • Triamorn (Thailand)
  • Jalan (Singapore)
Release date
  • October 31, 2012 (2012-10-31)
Running time
110 minutes[1]
CountriesPhilippines
Thailand
Languages
  • Filipino
  • Ilocano
  • Thai
Box office₱97,196,663.00[2]

The story depicts two star-crossed lovers: Marcus Hanson (Mario Maurer), a Thai superstar, and Joey Hermosa (Erich Gonzales), a Filipina baker. When Marcus decides to fly to the Philippines to escape from his career, he meets Joey. Even though their worlds collide, the two later fall in love. But their relationship is tested by conflicts from their worlds.

Plot edit

Joey Hermosa (Erich Gonzales) and Marcus Hanson (Mario Maurer) only have two things in common. One: they live to make fairy-tale romances happen — Joey through her exquisite wedding cakes; Marcus through the numerous romantic comedies he stars in. Two: their own love stories do not have the fairy-tale happy endings — she was just recently dumped at the altar; he just discovered that his on-screen partner and real-life girlfriend had fallen in love with another man.

Desperate to escape the media frenzy and the intrusive questions of the public about his love life and career, Marcus impulsively decides to go on vacation in the Philippines where he meets Joey who is determined to move forward with her life. Marcus finds himself drawn to Joey's passion for baking, and rediscovers his love for acting. In love once again, he invites her to join him in Thailand. Joey refuses at first, but she eventually follows him to Bangkok and allows herself to fall in love again. But their love encounters opposition from Marcus’ fans who are desperate to see him reunite with his ex-girlfriend, and from his overprotective mother. Moreover, Joey's responsibilities back home cause a strain in their relationship. Despite their love for each other, Joey and Marcus begin to question if their dreams are worth sacrificing for holiday romance suddenly turned serious. Then when Marcus got accepted in Hollywood he remembered Joey and went back to the Philippines and surprised her and took a balloon and attached it to a paper that says "Marcus and Joey Forever".[5][6]

Cast edit

Mario Maurer portrays Marcus Hanson
Erich Gonzales portrays Josephine "Joey" Hermosa

Production edit

The idea of doing the movie is due to the impact of Thai movie Crazy Little Thing Called Love[10] in the Philippines. Thai actor Mario Maurer became popular, resulting in a visit in the Philippines to become an endorser of a clothing brand, Penshoppe.[11][12] During the visit, he signed a one-movie contract with Star Cinema that was expected to be released in early 2012.[13][14] It was later confirmed by Maurer on his Fan Meeting that was held at the Philippine International Convention Center.[15] ABS-CBN then released a statement that Erich Gonzales will be Maurer's love interest in the movie entitled Suddenly It's Magic.[16] Gonzales revealed that she studied basic Thai language that she will be using in the movie.[17] On the other hand, Maurer also practiced the Tagalog language.[17] In April 2012, Maurer went back to the Philippines to shoot scenes in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, specifically in the Fort Ilocandia Hotel.[18][19][20] In May of the same year, the team went to Bangkok, Thailand to shoot for a month with other Thai actors that were cast in the film.[20][21] The shooting ended on June 19, 2012.[20] There was an attempt to change the title to I'm in love with a Thai actor; however it did not push through. A cameo role for Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul was also confirmed by PR (official promoter of Maurer in the Philippines).

International screenings edit

Here are some schedule dates and venues for the international screening of Suddenly It's Magic:[22][23]

Date Country
November 1 Singapore
November 9–15 United States: Las Vegas, Los Angeles-Cerritos, Los Angeles-North Hollywood, Los Angeles-Orange, Milpitas, San Bruno, San Diego, Union City, Hawaii
November 16–22 Sacramento
March 14, 2013 Bangkok, Thailand, Dubbed in Thai[24][25]

Box-office edit

The film was a box-office success in the Philippines, grossing a total of 97,196,663 in its theatrical run.

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2013 ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards[26] Pop Movie Suddenly It's Magic Nominated
Pop Movie Theme Song Nominated
Pop Screen Kiss Erich Gonzales and Mario Maurer Nominated
Pop Love Team Nominated

References edit

  1. ^ "Suddenly It's Magic - Reviews and Abouts". Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  2. ^ "Suddenly It's Magic". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  3. ^ Baifern Pimchanok Official Twitter Account. Twitter.com (March 7, 2013).
  4. ^ Find her and Mario Maurer in "Suddenly It's Magic", Filipino-Thai romantic love story. In LEGEND CINEMA 28th March.. Facebook.com (March 25, 2013).
  5. ^ Erich, Maurer meet for movie story conference ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 7, 2012
  6. ^ Erich Gonzales gives details about her upcoming movie with Mario Maurer Author: Allan Sancon PEP.ph. Retrieved August 13, 2012
  7. ^ "Thai superstar Mario Maurer confirms movie with Erich Gonzales". Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  8. ^ "Mario Maurer's First Philippine Produced Film 'Suddenly It's Magic' Premieres October 31". Retrieved October 7, 2012.
  9. ^ "Baifern Pimchanok and Mario Maurer Reunited in Movie 'Suddenly It's Magic'". Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  10. ^ Crazy Little Thing Called Love Philippines
  11. ^ Thai heartthrob Mario Maurer set to visit Manila for a local endorsement. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  12. ^ Mario Maurer to headline Philippine Fashion Week this October. PEP.ph (October 16, 2011). Retrieved October 29, 2011
  13. ^ Mario Maurer to do a movie with Erich ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 7, 2012.[clarification needed]
  14. ^ Mario Maurer meets with Star Cinema executives for a possible movie PEP.ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz. (August 8, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-01-13.
  15. ^ Mario Maurer Fan Conference (FanCon) in Manila Announced. Manila Paper Retrieved October 29, 2011
  16. ^ Erich Gonzales describes her leading man Mario Maurer as a "kid at heart" Author: Rizza Lorraine C. Benedicto Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  17. ^ a b Erich Gonzales gives details about her upcoming movie with Mario Maurer Author: Allan Sancon. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  18. ^ First look at Star Cinema's upcoming movie "Suddenly It's Magic" PEP.ph Author: Demai G. Sunio-Granali Retrieved July 19, 2012
  19. ^ Mario Maurer on Erich Gonzales: ‘For me she is not like a woman, she is kind of a man’ PUSH.com.ph. Retrieved August 7, 2012.[clarification needed]
  20. ^ a b c Erich Gonzales finished shooting in Thailand with Mario Maurer Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  21. ^ Erich in Thailand for movie shoot with Maurer ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 13, 2012
  22. ^ Thai superstar Mario Maurer joins kapamilya stars in Singapore
  23. ^ "Suddenly It's Magic International Screening Schedule Dates and Venue". Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  24. ^ Suddenly it's Mario | Wise Kwai's Thai Film Journal. Thaifilmjournal.blogspot.com (March 14, 2013).
  25. ^ Suddenly It's Magic will be shown in Thailand on March 14! มหัศจรรย์รัก กับสิ่งเล็กๆ. Mightymaustrap.blogspot.com (March 9, 2013).
  26. ^ Nominees for ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice released. ABS-CBNnews. October 20, 2013.

External links edit