Rating: 
Summary: A microculture
Review: Laurice Guillen successfully wove a tale that tackles the microculture of Filipinos in the United States. The characters search for their identity in a country not their own. In periodic occasions where adobo is served, they examine their relationships and make decisions that shape their lives.
Rating:
Summary: A microculture
Review: Laurice Guillen successfully wove a tale that tackles the microculture of Filipinos in the United States. The characters search for their identity in a country not their own. In periodic occasions where adobo is served, they examine their relationships and make decisions that shape their lives.
Rating: 
Summary: Adobo was undercooked.
Review: Ok, I was excited for someone in the Philippines to venture into this realm of cinema, the conflicting struggles of adjusting to America, while trying to keep our native culture. Now, to me, that sounds like a very, very emotional movie. I couldn't get passed the horrible acting, I mean, maybe it would have been more intense if the whole movie was Tagalog. The plot really falls short. It's out of focus and doesn't leave for any character development except for Tere's character. Also, to just add in political and religious dialogue so randomly abrupt doesn't even give any of the issues substance at all. This movie had so much more potential to really push the limits of filipino upbringing in the US, American assimiliation, and the portrayal of deep internal conflicts to balance these two cultures. Unlike the people in the movie, I thought the adobo was really overated.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for those who "get it"...
Review: Okay, I have to agree that there are some holes in this film--fairly predictable plot points, less than stellar acting from some of the cast... The truth is, this movie can be most appreciated by those who have been exposed to Filipino and Filipino-American culture. If you're willing to see past the obvious shortcomings, there is a lot of depth in the portrayal of adapting to American culture, perceptions by Filipinos of other Americans, the ups and down of family relations and family roles... and some pretty thoughtful reflection on the political climate "back home". No, it might not win any Oscars, but my wife (who is not Filipino) and I thoroughly enjoyed the film.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not great.
Review: One of the things that many of the reviewers here tend to forget is that while this movie was intended to be for a wider audience, only Filipinos would be able to understand the film the way it should be. American Adobo is a film that stands on its own by being the only Filipino film to undertake two cultures and try to blend it as one. The actors weren't horrible. The story was just like a lot of films today are - predictable. As for over acting, I can name several actors that are not Filipino that overact and yet are praised for it. Jim Carrey anyone? Mike Myers? Just to name a few. This movie is worth a purchase, but if you were expecting an Americanized film, you will sorely be disappointed. I'm 21 and while my friends who did watch this film disliked it, many others thought it was well worth the watch. Just have an open mind. I did.
Rating: 
Summary: Haven't seen it, but the looks of it...
Review: The cover and feel of this movie looks cheesy. Just like a regular Filipino movie! But where's Sharon Cuneta?
Rating:
Summary: Lives Left To Marinate In American Adobo
Review: The infectious "American Adobo" takes its title from the Philippines' national dish, which may be any meat or vegetable marinated in vinegar, soy sauce and garlic. As prepared by Filipino Americans, it acquires other flavors and ingredients, just as the immigrants may find their lives taking on new directions and meanings over their years in the U.S. while still feeling connected to their roots in their native land. It's a feeling that is at once a source of strength and conflict. This sense of dual identity is also a source of humor for director Laurice Guillen and writer Vincent R. Nebrida. They never lose that sense of humor even as they embrace some wrenchingly painful moments in the lives of four friends who met as college classmates in the Philippines, now live in New York and still stay in close touch 20 years later. The arrival of one college pal, Lorna (Sol Ocoa), for a visit is the occasion for a celebration, and Tere (Cherry Pie Picache) has prepared one of her typically outstanding meals in her inviting Queens apartment, on a street lined with trees and gracious vintage townhouses. Everyone in the group is doing reasonably well professionally, living in tasteful quarters, but of course appearances are deceiving. Tere is a beautiful woman, ample in the Kate Winslet manner, yet despite her warm, loving nature and unfailing kindness, she has yet to attract a man worthy of her. The brittle and glamorous Marissa (Dina Bonnevie) has a successful career yet is more vulnerable than she would like to be in regard to her live-in boyfriend, Sam (Randy Becker), a laid-back singer-composer and casual philanderer. Mike (Christopher De Leon) is a New York correspondent for the Philippine Times unhappily married to Gigi (Susan Valdez-LeGoff), whose inheritance has allowed her to indulge in nouveau riche tastes and a lot of grand airs. Mike and Gigi have two children: a little boy, Mark (Jason Verdadero), and a girl, the pretty but sullen Candy (Martha Millan), in her rebellious teens. Gerry (Ricky Davao) is a pleasant-looking ad agency veteran passed over for a promotion but not giving up. Gerry has unexpectedly and rapturously fallen in love but has trouble admitting to his friends that his lover, Chris, is a man (Wayne Maugans). Gerry's struggles in coming out, especially to his mother (Gloria Romero, a formidable veteran actress) back in the Philippines, are at once the source of outrageous humor and genuine pain. * * * This wide span of emotions is handled with a sure sense of control and compassion by Guillen. The shift in tone also applies to the plight of Raul (Paolo Montalban), who is Marissa's cousin, and who arrives at the party typically late and with his latest conquest in tow. Raul is devilishly handsome and proudly callow but may be heading for a fall. Once set in motion by Tere's dinner party, "American Adobo" unfolds during the course of a year. This span of time provides a perspective that imbues the film with a sense of the eternal human comedy. "American Adobo" is an intimate, good-humored ethnic comedy like numerous others but cuts deeper than expected. The filmmakers and their wonderful cast are unafraid of emotion, and they catch us up in the lives of their people to such an extent that they can get away with some honest tear-jerking as well as some very funny business, including an amusingly contrived way of wafting a bit of romance in the direction of the lovely and lovable Tere. Not the least of "American Adobo's" delicious ingredients is lots of heart.
Rating:
Summary: Too melodramatic
Review: The movie, American Adobo, started off very nicely and the engaging character buildups were encouraging. The actors seem very relaxed and they all seemed to handle their craft very well. However, as the plot starts to turn into the conflict phase, the movie instantly dives into some tearful, very-"Filipino"-like, melodramatic excursion. Ironically, during the movie, Christopher De Leon's daughter, while being reprimanded, reminded him not to turn their conversation into some "Filipino"-movie variety. The director should have also taken heed. I have seen many Filipino movies (being a Filipino myself) and while the professional presentation (probably due to its international release) was noteworthy, the same components of most Filipino dramas was alive and unfortunately rooted in too much emphasis on the tearjerker approach, and add to that some untimely political and socio-religious moralities. This kind of annoying manipulation sends wrong messages and somehow promotes agendas that were totally not needed in the movie. Chistopher De Leon gave a somewhat commendable performance but the rest of the cast seem too rigid and too mechanical. Paolo Montalban was thrown in the cast to warrant the movie's parental guidance viewing and his character seemed superficially unexplored beyond his dealings with the afterthoughts of possibly contacting AIDS. Cherry Pie Picache typifies the overtly emotional and over-acting 'masochist'. Her character (and Ricky's) were the central figures but she leaves us with an unsatisfied feeling, probably due to her uneven and 'pitiful' performance. Dina Bonnevie's relationship almost seemed a distraction since her dealings with infidelities bordered on the common day-to-day and her acting needs work and polishing. Ricky Davao's tale was intriguing but the movie seemed to revolve too much around the homosexuality and AIDs issue that we are tied too much to his personal demons without knowing his real character. Gloria Romero's emotional outbursts, while heartfelt, was a bit strained and too 'sentimentally-syrupy'. The best part of the movie was when Christoper De Leon and Ricky Davao were driving and talking. Unfortunately, there were not more of this - there were too many trite conversations, unneeded banterings, and unrealistic discussions. Why can't they just talk like normal people instead of trying so hard to impress us with their over-the-top chit-chat. A couple of haunting shots were the two scenes with the Twin Towers in the background - one scene with Cherry Pie and Dina talking, and the other scene right at the end of the movie, which shows the new restaurant and the towers. I expected a lot from this movie and I felt it was dissapointing and 'bland' to say the least.
Rating:
Summary: Too melodramatic
Review: The movie, American Adobo, started off very nicely and the engaging character buildups were encouraging. The actors seem very relaxed and they all seemed to handle their craft very well. However, as the plot starts to turn into the conflict phase, the movie instantly dives into some tearful, very-"Filipino"-like, melodramatic excursion. Ironically, during the movie, Christopher De Leon's daughter, while being reprimanded, reminded him not to turn their conversation into some "Filipino"-movie variety. The director should have also taken heed. I have seen many Filipino movies (being a Filipino myself) and while the professional presentation (probably due to its international release) was noteworthy, the same components of most Filipino dramas was alive and unfortunately rooted in too much emphasis on the tearjerker approach, and add to that some untimely political and socio-religious moralities. This kind of annoying manipulation sends wrong messages and somehow promotes agendas that were totally not needed in the movie. Chistopher De Leon gave a somewhat commendable performance but the rest of the cast seem too rigid and too mechanical. Paolo Montalban was thrown in the cast to warrant the movie's parental guidance viewing and his character seemed superficially unexplored beyond his dealings with the afterthoughts of possibly contacting AIDS. Cherry Pie Picache typifies the overtly emotional and over-acting 'masochist'. Her character (and Ricky's) were the central figures but she leaves us with an unsatisfied feeling, probably due to her uneven and 'pitiful' performance. Dina Bonnevie's relationship almost seemed a distraction since her dealings with infidelities bordered on the common day-to-day and her acting needs work and polishing. Ricky Davao's tale was intriguing but the movie seemed to revolve too much around the homosexuality and AIDs issue that we are tied too much to his personal demons without knowing his real character. Gloria Romero's emotional outbursts, while heartfelt, was a bit strained and too 'sentimentally-syrupy'. The best part of the movie was when Christoper De Leon and Ricky Davao were driving and talking. Unfortunately, there were not more of this - there were too many trite conversations, unneeded banterings, and unrealistic discussions. Why can't they just talk like normal people instead of trying so hard to impress us with their over-the-top chit-chat. A couple of haunting shots were the two scenes with the Twin Towers in the background - one scene with Cherry Pie and Dina talking, and the other scene right at the end of the movie, which shows the new restaurant and the towers. I expected a lot from this movie and I felt it was dissapointing and 'bland' to say the least.
Rating:
Summary: The film is a poor copycat of their asian counterparts
Review: This film is a poor copycat of their asian counterpart - man, woman, eat, drink & the joyluck club, to name two. Story starts as 5 friends reunite in the big apple and one of them cooks a Philippine food named adobo. The cook is unmarried, is desperate for love, one is a socialite who finds love in all the wrong places, one is unhappily married, one is a closet gay, and the last is a playboy. Oh my....talk about played out characterization, this one tops them all! And so the story centers around these 5 people and how they cope up with their everyday humdrum existence. Believe me guys, compared to St. Elmo's Fire, St. Elmo's would be a masterpiece. Don't waste your time with this lousy movie.
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