Director: Nigel Santos
Cast: Janella Salvador, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Klea Pineda and Leanne Mamonong
Open Endings is a charming and crowd-pleasing film. The characters feel like people you
know—friends you’ve shared drinks with, worked alongside, or even versions of yourself. There
is something wonderful in the way the film observes its characters. It feels like quietly watching
real friends getting drunk in a bar or a parking lot, finding comfort in their company while also
missing your own friends. The film often feels like eavesdropping on intimate conversations and
discovering relatable reflections on love, work, and friendship.
The characters are already in their 30s, yet they still make impulsive decisions, cling to wishes at
11:11, and take risks that may not always be practical. But that’s life. Sometimes we choose the
messy path because we know we have friends to catch us when we fall. The film understands this
dynamic well.
The film starts beautifully, but its energy doesn’t entirely sustain itself throughout the runtime.
You begin to feel the passage of time as it progresses. The editing could perhaps be tighter,
although it is clear that the filmmakers intentionally preserve silences and authentic moments,
resisting the urge to cut away from them. The ending is truly open-ended, particularly for
Hannah (Jasmine Curtis) and Mihan (Leanne Mamonong). I only wish there had been a more
satisfying resolution for Kit (Klea Pineda) and Charlie (Janella Salvador), especially since this is
ultimately an ensemble piece.
The cast works well together, and the strongest moments emerge when all of them share the
screen. Their chemistry sells the friendships at the heart of the story. Among the ensemble,
Leanne Mamonong, known from the indie-pop duo Leanne & Naara, stands out. In her film
debut, she completely owns the character. Her performance feels natural and unforced, blurring
the line between acting and reality.
The film’s greatest strength lies in how personal it feels. There is a sense that the writer, Keavy
Eunice Vicente and director, Nigel Santos know these characters intimately, almost as if they
have lived alongside them for years. It is evident that the story draws heavily from personal
experiences, and that sincerity gives the film its warmth, charm, and emotional resonance.
Rating: 3 ½ /5
Open Endings in Philippine theaters on June 10.