Miss Granny (2018 film)

Miss Granny is a 2018 Filipino comedy-drama film based on the South Korean film of the same name. Directed by Joyce E. Bernal, it stars Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, and Nova Villa. It was released by Viva Films on August 22, 2018, and was nominated for three FAMAS Awards including "Best Actress" for Sarah Geronimo and "Best Original Song" for "Isa Pang Araw". It was the second most talked about Filipino film of 2018 on Twitter, "The Hows of Us". Geronimo received "Best Actress" trophy at the 35th PMPC Star Awards for Movies, whilst Villa received the "Movie Supporting Actress of the Year" award at the 50th GMMSF Entertainment Box Office Awards. The film is currently available for streaming on Netflix in the Philippines.
Plot.
The story revolves around Feliza "Fely" Malabaño (Nova Villa), a widow who works in a carinderia along with her close friend Bert (Boboy Garovillo), who grew up working for Fely since he was a young boy. Fely is constantly teased by Lulu (Marissa Delgado) for her closeness to Bert. Fely tends to berate her daughter-in-law Angie (Lotlot De Leon) for many things, including Angie's sinigang. Despite her treatment of Angie, she cares deeply for her son Ramoncito (Nonie Buencamino) and for her grandchildren, Jeboy (James Reid) and Hana (Ataska Mercado).
One day, Angie collapses due to stress, which she blames on her mother-in-law. The doctor then recommends that they keep Angie's environment stress-free, to which Ramon suggests that Fely, Angie's stress trigger, should stay in a nursing home. Fely overhears the family's discussion and becomes upset, but then is invited by Jeboy to lunch. As she leaves to meet him, she comes across the Forever Young Photo Studio and meets a photographer (Jojit Lorenzo) who offers to take a free portrait photo of her. Afterwards, as she alights on a bus, Fely scolds three passengers for being too noisy. During the argument, Fely is horrified when she catches her reflection in one of the rowdy passenger's sunglasses and sees that she has somehow transformed into her younger self (Sarah Geronimo). Fely then poses as Odrey de Leon while she stays at an apartment owned by Bert. Eventually, she becomes involved in her grandson's band, becoming their lead singer, inadvertently changing their focus from metal to romantic ballads.
Fely sings a song during one of the band's performances, telling the story of her past. She lost her husband, a Navy sailor, when he died during his service, and moved to Manila to make a living for her son Ramoncito. At one point, Ramoncito becomes so ill that he is close to death, but is saved by a stranger who helps them through their tough time. During one of the band's performances, Fely, posing as Odrey, is approached by a musical talent scout named Lorenz (Xian Lim) in her own carinderia, offering a chance for the band to launch in the mainstream.
Fely's identity is discovered by Bert after he discovers the dentures he gave to her as a present among Odrey's possessions, while looking for Fely with Ramoncito. After Lulu dies, Odrey is confronted with their mortality as elderly people. After she gets a minor cut on her foot before a recording session, Bert sees her youthful skin return to its wrinkled state, a sign that she is reverting into her correct age. Bert treats her cut, but is confronted by Bert's daughter Minnie (Kim Molina), who forces Fely/Odrey to leave the apartment, mistakenly assuming that she was romantically involved with her father. She stays at Lorenz's place, where they bond over retro music. Jeboy becomes upset over Lorenz's closeness to Fely/Odrey, and she realizes that he might be romantically interested in her. She rebuffs him, as Jeboy has no idea that Fely/Odrey is his grandmother.
During the Summerslam Concert, Lorenz tells the band that they must perform without Jeboy, as he was hit by a car on his way to the venue and is currently in critical condition. Fely/Odrey initially refuses, but she finally performs to keep Jeboy's band in the lineup. At the hospital with Bert and Ramoncito, who has finally found out about her identity, Fely/Odrey decides to donate blood for Jeboy, despite Bert warning her that the effects could be irreversible. Ramoncito gives her the choice to leave and live the life that she wanted, on the condition that she tries to make a better life for herself than the one she had with him and his absent father. Fely/Odrey tearfully tells him that she will always choose the life she had lived as his mother, and they hug. After this, Fely/Odrey donates her blood for her grandson, and transforms back to her normal, elderly self.
After Jeboy's recovery, Fely and her family watch her grandson's concert with Hana as the band's new vocalist. Later, Fely is approached by a mysterious man on a motorcycle (Sam Concepcion), who is revealed to be Bert after he reverted into his younger self with the help of the Forever Young Photo Studio. He gives her a bouquet of flowers, and Fely and Bert ride off.
Reception.
The film set the record for the highest single day gross for a local movie released in 2018, gaining twenty million pesos on its fifth day of screening. While on its sixth day, the film gained another twenty million pesos. In less than ten days, the film reached the mark. Domestic gross reached on its third week.