Never Not Love You is a 2018 Filipino romantic drama film written and directed by Antoinette Jadaone, starring James Reid and Nadine Lustre. The film tells the story of Gio and Joanne whose young, carefree and reckless love is tested when their dreams took them to different paths. The film was produced by Viva Films in collaboration with Project 8 Corner San Joaquin Projects. It was released in theaters nationwide on March 31, 2018.
The film's initial title was Five Years Later, then it was changed to Here's to the Fools. In December 22, 2017, the director announced the final title of the film to be Never Not Love You.
The soundtrack of the film includes music and performances by John Roa, Janine Teñoso, Marion Aunor, Ebe Dancel, and James Reid and Nadine Lustre. The first song released with an official music video is "Prom" performed by James Reid and Nadine Lustre. It also serves as the lead single for the soundtrack of the film. John Roa's "Oks Lang" was featured in the 2nd teaser for the film. Notes
Ebe Dancel of the band Sugarfree made an acoustic version of "Prom" for the film.
Release
The film released its 2-minute teaser trailer on February 8, 2018 via Viva Entertainment's YouTube account. The full length trailer of the film was released on March 15, 2018. The film is released on March 31, 2018.
Never Not Love You grossed ₱20 million on its second day of showing in over 200 theaters according to the Instagram post of Viva Artists Agency. As of April 15, 2018, the film gross an estimated amount of ₱92 million.
Critical response
Never Not Love You received mostly positive reviews from critics with particular praise going to the performances of Lustre and Reid and the directorial efforts of Jadaone. In a review for Rappler.com, Oggs Cruz said that "the film is so meticulously threadbare, it feels like its central love story belongs not in the realms of commercial entertainment but in the real world". He called the film Jadaone's "most grounded romance" and praised the director's ability "for turning the nondescript to magic..." Wanggo Gallaga of the website Click the City gave the film 5 out of 5 stars and described Reid as "charming as hell" and called Lustre a "powerhouse" and the "real star" of the film while praising her performance by saying that "There is a whole world of emotions within her that she carries with every movement". Inquirer Cake Evangelista called the film as the lead stars' "best work so far". Reid was commended for finding a "balance" in his character and Lustre for being someone who "evokes a wealth of meaning and emotion". Director Jadaone was called the film's "true strength". Evangelista noted that "In Never Not love You, Jadaone shows us a different side of herself as a storyteller." The NeighborhoodPhilbert Dy gave the film a rating of 4 out of 5 and praised how it "smartly examines modern romance in oddly pragmatic terms". He praised Reid for leaning into his character and described Lustre as the one who "shines in the movie". Regarding Lustre's performance as Joanne, he said that the actress "just makes everything feel meaningful". He also noted that the pair displays "a familiarity and chemistry that might just be unmatched."
