Partners in Crime
Theatrical release poster
Directed by
Written byEnrico C. Santos
Produced byCarlo Katigbak
Kriz Gazmen
Starring
CinematographyDan Villegas
Edited byMarya Ignacio
Music byJessie Lasaten
Production
companies
Distributed byABS-CBN Films
Release date
December 25, 2022
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino
Box office₱168 million[1]

Partners in Crime is a 2022 Philippine action-adventure comedy film starring Vice Ganda and Ivana Alawi. The film is directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina and is under the production of Star Cinema and Viva Films.[2] It was one of the official entries for 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival and was released on December 25, 2022. The film has earned a total of ₱168 million at the box-office, becoming the second highest grossing Philippine film of 2022.

Plot

Jack Cayanan is a successful television host of the show "Happy Hour with Jack". But because of his schedule, he has no time for his family. In an episode, Jack's voice becomes husky. Doctors advise Jack to rest, but refuses, fearing for his fans. Then, he remembers his family, especially his former partner, Barbara Nicole Rose Albano, whom he met while hosting a Bingo event. Barbara and Jack became hosting partners in every event, calling their team-up as "JaBar". During a beauty pageant, Jack and Barbara were invited to become hosts on television. But, when Jack came, it was only he who was chosen as host, leaving Barbara frustrated. There, she broke up with Jack, but he reiterated that they were never in a relationship.

Despite his illness, Jack goes to his show. To his surprise, his former partner comes and named herself Rose, a known social media influencer. In order to settle their differences, Jack's network decides to have an exclusive interview with Don Bill Libme, the richest man in the Philippines who has survived 99 assassination attempts. When they see a post saying servants were needed for Don Bill's 75th birthday, Jack and Rose decide to go so that they can have their interview.

Jack disguises himself with a mole on his left cheek. But Rose comes also with a mole on her right cheek. One of Don Bill's maids recognizes Jack and Rose, but Jack asks her not to tell anyone about their identity. Don Bill calls for assistance, prompting Jack and Rose to a chase towards him. They reach Don Bill's room and see him, lifeless and stabbed with a syringe. One of Don Bill's maids Maritess sees Rose stabbing Don Bill with that syringe.

A mysterious caller calls Jack and Rose, showing a footage of Rose stabbing Don Bill. He then blackmails the two, saying he would expose the video if they do not follow his demands. They hang up the phone and call the man again. They find out that when the man answers, Don Bill's children also answer, indicating that one of his children killed him. But the man tells them that he will not expose the video if they bring to him a set of green, blue, and pink coins in an hour, which can be found in the green, blue, and pink rooms. But as the key to the rooms was Don Bill himself, they bring his corpse along.

They first go to the Blue Room but Kookai sees Jack and Rose with Don Bill's corpse. Jack tells Kookang that she can have everything she wants in exchange for her silence. There, Don Bill's hologram told them that in order to get the Blue Coin, they have to imitate pictures and facial expressions to be flashed to them. If they get the wrong expression three times, the burglar alarm will sound off. During the course of the challenge, Jack explains to Rose that he did not mean to hurt her. The network's management decided to only have Jack in the show. They pass the challenge after Jack imitates Don Bill's facial expression after Rose failed twice and get the Blue Coin.

At the Green Room, two security personnel, Maren and Jorge, Jack's friends and confidants, follow them. Jack asks them to take care of Don Bill's children. There they must sing a song and need to score a 100 and avoid reaching zero, which would detonate a bomb. They sing "Salamat" by Yeng Constantino, which happens to be their theme song. Don Bill says that whoever sings first should sing until the last parts. In the last parts, Jack and Rose had to sing like Jaya, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Kris Aquino, and Regine Velasquez, until they score 100 and got the Green Coin.

While searching for the Pink Coin, the party starts, forcing them to present Don Bill's corpse, which disappears. Jack suspects that the killer took Don Bill to the Pink Room. When they go to the Pink Room, Carlos, the head of security, already has the Pink Coin. Jack and Rose find out that he was the mysterious caller and Don Bill's killer. Now that the coins are complete, they are brought to the vault to place the blue and green coins, but the pink coin is thrown away and Jack and Carlos fight each other. During a chase between Jack, Rose, Carlos, and his men, they are caught by Liezel and Don Bill's children who recognize Jack and Rose.

Carlos tells them that Jack and Rose killed Don Bill, but the two maintain their innocence. With the help of an Ouija board, Marites is possessed by Don Bill's soul. He accuses Jack and Rose of desecrating his corpse but tells everyone it was Carlos who killed him. Carlos asked Don Bill for money because his mother was in the hospital and was due for surgery, but Don Bill refused to lend him money because he had no money left. There, he showed Carlos all of the weapons used in the 99 assassination attempts against him. He then grabbed a syringe with poison and was about to stab Carlos, but backfired. When Don Bill called for help, he was stabbed by Carlos and was killed by the poison.

Carlos then went to the secret room where he saw a vault. He did not know the combination, forcing him to research other ways of opening the vault, which included the use of green, pink, and blue coins. When the vault was opened, there was no money left, indicating that Don Bill was telling the truth and the reason he invited his children was to ask money from them.

Carlos is arrested and Rose encourages Jack to go home to his family and reconcile with them. Jack and his family celebrate his father Bert's birthday. Rose becomes a substitute host for Jack, and both Jack, Rose, and their families celebrate Christmas.

Cast

Lead Cast

Supporting cast

  • Enchong Dee as Carlos Jose Salazar
  • Rez Cortez as Don Bill Libme
  • Al Tantay as Bert Cayanan
  • MC Calaquian as Jorge
  • Lassy Marquez as Maren
  • Divine Tetay as Rhed
  • Marnie Lapus as DOMA Lizel Arciaga
  • Via Antonio as Kookai

Special Parcitipation

  • Candy Pangilinan as Giging Reynes
  • Michael Flores as Hugo Libme
  • Eian Rances as Paulo Libme
  • Cai Cortez as Amelia Libme
  • Amanda Zamora as Betsy Libme
  • Zyern Dela Cruz as Basty Libme
  • Peewee O'Hara as Lola Baby, Barbara's Grandmother
  • Panying as Maritess (Maid)
  • Vien King as Theo Cayanan, Jack's Brother
  • Chase Romero as Wes Cayanan's wife

Special Participation

Production

ABS-CBN Film Productions in 2020, announced their planned line-up of films for 2020–21 which includes a film which would star Vice Ganda and Ivana Alawi. The film was planned to be the third installment of the Praybeyt Benjamin film franchise by Wenn V. Deramas. Cathy Garcia-Molina was offered to direct the film with the working title Super Praybeyt Benjamin since Deramas is already deceased.[3] However such film project did not push through.

Another film featuring the tandem would be worked on instead. On July 8, 2022, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Executive Committee announced the first four official entries for the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival which includes Vice Ganda and Ivana Alawi's Partners in Crime. The entries were entered as script submissions.[4][5] Molina was tapped to direct the film.[6]

In late August 2022, Vice met with the staffs and production team to aid in the artistic creation of the film.[6] The film started the initial production on September 12, 2022 and began filming on September 19, 2022.[7] On September 9, 2022, a story conference was held by the press together with the lead stars Vice and Alawi and director Molina. During the event, Alawi expressed her excitement to work with Vice, whom she and her mother look up to.[8]

Release

Partners in Crime premiered in cinemas in the Philippines on December 25, 2022 as one of the eight entries of the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival.[9]

Float

Reception

Box office

Partners in Crime has reportedly earned ₱31 million on the first day of the Metro Manila film festival, becoming the top-grossing film among the entries.[10][11] As per unofficial figures obtained by PEP.ph, the film has grossed over ₱86 million as of December 28, 2022.[12] On January 1, 2023 (New Year's Day), the film has reportedly earned ₱168 million.[13]

Accolades

Awards Ceremony Title Recipient Result Ref.
48th Gabi Ng Parangal: Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actress Ivana Alawi Nominated
[14]
Best Sound Partners in Crime Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "MMFF 2022 box office: Deleter naka-P234M; last placer naka-P1.5M lang". PEP.ph. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  2. ↑ Malasig, Jeline (September 8, 2022). "Kapamilya network to make theatrical return this year with these movies". InterAksyon. The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  3. ↑ Anarcon, James Patrick. "Vice Ganda-Ivana Alawi movie part of ABS-CBN Films lineup for 2020, 2021". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  4. ↑ "MMFF announces first 4 official entries for 2022". Rappler. July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  5. ↑ Matalog, Patricia. "Vice-Ivana, Coco-Jodi films chosen as MMFF 2022 official entries". Star Cinema. ABS-CBN. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  6. 1 2 "FAMOUS: Cathy Garcia Molina reveals working with Vice Ganda for MMFF 2022". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  7. ↑ Bonifacio, Julie (September 11, 2022). "Parehong movie ng Star Cinema… Coco-Jodi at Vice-Ivana, Salpukan sa MMFF" [Both movies of Star Cinema… Coco-Jodi and Vice-Ivana, clashes at MMFF] (in Filipino). Bulgar. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  8. ↑ Escuadro, Kiko. "Vice Ganda at Ivana Alawi, handa nga ba magpakilig sa Cathy Garcia Molina movie?". Push. ABS-CBN. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  9. ↑ Iglesias, Iza; Maghanoy, Christian Crow (October 20, 2022). "Four more official entries to Metro Manila Filmfest announced". The Manila Times. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Vice Ganda's 'Partners in Crime' rules MMFF 2022 box office". www.sunstar.com.ph. December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Anu-anong pelikula ang tinangkilik sa first day ng MMFF 2022?" [Which films were patronized on the first day of MMFF 2022?]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Deleter, hindi pa nauungusan ang Partners In Crime; Family Matters, umaariba pa rin" [Deleter, has not overtaken Partners In Crime; Family Matters, still going forward]. PEP.ph. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Deleter, Partners In Crime, Family Matters patuloy ang pag-arangkada sa box office". PEP.ph. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  14. ↑ "MMFF 2022 Gabi ng Parangal: Nadine Lustre, Ian Veneracion win top acting honors; Deleter is Best Picture". PEP.ph. Retrieved December 28, 2022.


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