It Had To Be You - Backup Sweetheart

September 2005 – Press Release
IT HAD TO BE YOU
Backup Sweetheart

Manila, 8 August 2005 – What would you do if you were only a backup sweetheart? Would you fight for your rightful status or accept it as is? IT HAD TO BE YOU hinges on the sensitive premise of a love triangle, crafting refreshing character interplay, while conveying the message of insecurity in heterosexual relationships. Premiering Saturday, 3 September at 21:00 on STAR CHINESE MOVIES.

In this lighthearted farce, rising Hong Kong star Karena Lam Ka-yan (INNER SENSE) and experienced Hong Kong actor Ekin Cheng (YOUNG AND DANGEROUS) partner up for the third time. But this time, they both star as a backup lover in their respective relationships. When their pitiful circumstances land them in the same boat, they eventually turn from foes to friends and cheer each other up during depressing moments. Once they’ve exhausted all dignity, perseverance, hope and love in their current relationships, they finally realise that there’re many more choices in life than the status quo. The film also features comedian Eric Tsang Chi-wai as a Mr. Know-it-all, hamming it up as the leading artists’ love consultant, taking the theme of love to a whole other level altogether.

In real life, both Karena and Ekin have gone through their own relationship twists. Although they generate unspoken on-screen chemistry, their opinions on love triangles are quite different off-screen. The younger Karena thinks that as long as both parties are upfront to each other, then she’s willing to accept the situation – except that she’d also withhold some emotions instead of blindly flooding herself in un-promised love. However, the more mature Ekin thinks otherwise. He expresses that he’d immediately address the problem and seek pure commitment in the relationship.

In the movie, Karena silently waits for the love of her unfaithful boyfriend. The actress says playing this role let her understand females further, “Prior to this role, if my friend is stuck in a love triangle as a backup lover, I’d tell her not to be silly. But if I encounter anyone like that nowadays, I’d tell her it doesn’t matter what she does as long as she’s happy.”

Ekin further alleges that he feels a little awkward coupling up with Karena, especially when shooting intimate scenes. After all, the leading actress is his buddy’s girlfriend behind the screen. But he justifies, “Karena is very professional. She handles the plot and persona very well, which makes me forget about the awkwardness and jump right into the role quickly.”

Another interesting point to mention is that the movie cleverly uses food-related elements to bring out its overall story: a black forest cake topped with peanut butter reveals the affair of Karena’s boyfriend, and a strong coffee boiled with 55 coffee beans discloses Ekin’s heartbreak over his cheating girlfriend. Metaphors such as these add to the film’s exquisiteness.

No one wants to be in a love triangle, let alone be No. 2. The film tackles the issue of love, and advocates loyalty over unfaithful passion. Immerse yourself in smartly-paced verbal jokes and unlikely romantic scenarios while learning a thing or two in IT HAD TO BE YOU. Premiering Saturday, 3 September at 21:00 on STAR CHINESE MOVIES.