The New 'Working Girls" Front and CenterViva.com.ph
Monday, 22 March 2010 13:03
Since the sequel to the ‘80s sexy comedy classic “Working Girls” was announced, a lot of people who know about the iconic film have been curious if the new one can pack the same punch.
Considered one of the masterpieces of National Artist Ishmael Bernal, “Working Girls” so boldy mirrored the changing status and attitude of women then that moviegoers found themselves either identifying with its lead characters or they know real people who could relate.
This is the reason that GMA Films, Viva Films and Unitel, along with director Jose Javier Reyes, carefully selected who will play what in “Working Girls .”
As Direk Reyes puts it, “Coming up with a high-quality sequel is the least we can do to honor the legacy of Bernal and his film. ‘Working Girls’ was so ahead of its time that it even predated two Hollywood films of the same title that came out two and four years later.”
The actresses who were picked for plum roles in “Working Girls” are Ruffa Gutierrez, Eugene Domingo, Cristine Reyes, Eula Valdez, Iza Calzado, Jennelyn Mercado and Bianca King.
Ruffa plays Marilou, the beauty queen widow of a rich man forced to fight her way to find justice amid the hostile relatives of her late husband determined to cut her off completely from her inheritance.
Eugene is Paula who makes a living by selling items on the Internet. She’s hardworking, overly ambitious and perenially trying to keep up with the Joneses.
Eula tackles the role of celebrity cosmetic surgeon Dr. Cleo, who becomes the object of ire of the feminists.
Cristine is promo girl Wendy, who will do anything to hook a celebrity lawyer.
Iza essays the character, Tere, a nurse waiting for her summons to work for a hospital in Boston but ends up taking care of the dying wife of the man who hurt her most in the past
Jennelyn is Ada, an illegitimate daughter who ends up being a single mother herself. She works at a call center where she meets a man who could turn her life around if not for a hitch.
Bianca is the spoiled brat daughter who works as a segment producer in a TV company. She hates her stepmother so she devices ways to try and get rid of her.
Like the original characters in “Working Girls,” these ladies are empowered and strong-willed. They know what they want and, more importantly, how to get it.
Their lives not only intertwine with each other but even with characters from the first “Working Girls.” In “Working Girls ,” moviegoers will get updates on the lives of Suzanne Galang (Carmi Martin), Nimfa (Gina Pareno), Rose (Maribel Lopez) and Sabel (Rio Locsin) whose stories were last heard of 25 years ago.
“This movie is both for the fans of the original as well as those who want to get to know the new girls and their stories. So much has changed since 1984 that some of the things that were shown in the original film are no longer applicable. It’s a sequel and not a remake,” said Javier.
“Working Girls ” also stars Cherie Gil and Mylene Dizon. It is set for release on April 21.
