Directed by Catherine O. Camarillo and written by Gina Marissa Tagasa, “Meg & Ryan” is a romantic comedy that wears its heart on its sleeve.
With clear inspiration from the opposites-attract love stories of the 1990s, when actress Meg Ryan reigned as “America’s Sweetheart,” the film brings together two unlikely characters: a wealthy bad girl and a straight-as-an-arrow good boy. Their journey is filled with dares, emotional baggage and the power of love.
The film feels like a throwback to feel-good 1990s cinema, offering moments of warmth and sincerity.
Rhian Ramos plays Meg, an heiress and recovering alcoholic haunted by her father’s (Cris Villanueva) philandering ways. Despite her privileged background, Meg’s emotional wounds run deep. She resents her father and misses her late mom. While trying to recover from alcoholism, her dad even puts her in charge of the family’s liquor store.
Rhian brings her trademark charm and vulnerability to the role, though the character’s reckless behavior makes it challenging at times to fully empathize with her.
Opposite her is JC Santos as Ryan, a sheltered man raised in a loving home. After losing his father, he grows up under the care of his K-drama-loving mother (Ces Quesada). Ryan has led a quiet, modest life and follows his late father’s advice on relationships so closely that he remains a virgin into his mid-30s.
His life takes an unexpected turn when Meg kisses him during a playful “Kisslock” dare from her friends.
Romance blossoms months later, after a chance encounter with Meg at the liquor store. What follows is a slow-burn courtship marked by opposites-attract dynamics. These moments prove Rhian and JC’s playful chemistry, showing their earnestness in both nakakakilig moments as well as dramatic confrontations.
The rest of the cast also give solid support. Veteran actress Ces Quesada and content creators Poca Osinaga and Steven Bansil bring light to their every scene. They keep the story entertaining even when the plot leans into familiar territory.
For viewers looking for a romantic story with a touch of nostalgia, “Meg & Ryan” offers heart and gentle humor. It’s a film that reminds us that yes, opposites attract, but it’s the willingness to face trauma, challenges and even take on a few outrageous dares that ultimately brings people together.
