The Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards starrer Family of Two (A Mother and Son Story) has the same core team behind the sleeper hit of the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival, Family Matters — namely the movie outfit CINEKO Productions, director Nuel Naval and screenwriter Mel Mendoza-del Rosario.

That's why Family of Two has some of Family Matters' winning ingredients that make it similarly heart-warming, instructive and relevant to the times, while still playing out as a unique film in itself.

In Family of Two, an entry to this year's MMFF, Cuneta plays Maricar, who singlehandedly raised Richards' character Mateo, nicknamed Matty, since her husband died when their only child Matty was only five years old. How Maricar and Matty move to the next phase of their mother-and-son relationship, as well as in their respective personal journeys, is the heart of the movie's story.

Just 'enjoy life'

Maricar gets her reward for working so hard to get his son finish school, even if she herself didn't graduate from college as she got married early, when Matty starts earning well in his job. He asks his mom to stop working and just "enjoy life." Maricar's idea of enjoying life, though, means to continue taking care of her 27-year-old son, such as preparing his clothes and cooking a feast for his baon to the office.

Matty then signs up his mom on a dating app, which Maricar resents at first, but they soon resolve their misunderstanding. Thus, their bonding time now revolves around finding potential dates for the single mom, and the results are more comedic than romantic, except when the only son acts being overprotective and suspicious.

For his part, Matty has set his eyes on his workaholic and ambitious colleague Czarina (played by Miles Ocampo). They become close when their boss (Chris Tan) chooses them to work together on an important project, which gets them promoted to lead the regional office in Singapore.

While Czarina, whose parents are separated, is all set to relocate to the Lion City, her coworker hesitates to leave his mom behind.

Matty is somehow relieved that Maricar finally meets a seemingly ideal match (Tonton Gutierrez), but what really convinces him that his mom is completely cool to be on her own is Maricar's realization that she's looking for something more personally fulfilling than a romantic relationship. Maricar eventually finds what she's seeking through the help of her neighbor (Jackielou Blanco) and pursues it until she succeeds.

She then tells Matty about her achievement, and the son becomes even prouder of his mom.

Lighthearted moments

Cuneta, who's a mom of four in real life, takes on the role of Maricar with ease and grace, such that it feels she's no longer acting. Richards gives much justice to his role, albeit he's noticeably trying his best especially in his dramatic scenes. He does a lot better in his lighthearted moments on screen with Cuneta. Their mother-and-son kulitan comes off as very real and entertaining.

Family of Two is another triumph for the director-screenwriter tandem of Naval and Mendoza-del Rosario. They have once again come up with a powerful yet accessible family drama, which this time is led by a solo parent.

Their choice of the twist in Maricar's quest for personal happiness is laudable, though this part could've been explored more with the excess time in the first act that painstakingly established the mother and son relationship.

This film deserves the public's patronage, regardless if you're a fan or not of the two popular lead stars.

'Family of Two (A Mother and Son Story)' opens today in cinemas nationwide.