Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme (simply known as Kimmy Dora) is a 2009 Filipino comedy film co-produced and directed by Joyce Bernal and written by Chris Martinez, starring Eugene Domingo. It is the first installment of the Kimmy Dora film series. The film tells the story of twin sisters Kimmy and Dora, both played by Eugene Domingo. The film is a co-production of Spring Films and MJM Productions and was distributed to theaters nationwide on September 2, 2009 by Solar Entertainment Corporation and Star Cinema.
| Kimmy Dora | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Bb. Joyce Bernal |
| Written by | Chris Martinez |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | Eugene Domingo |
| Cinematography | Shayne O. Sarte |
| Edited by | Vanessa Ubas de Leon |
| Music by | Brian L. Cua |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language |
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| Budget | ₱20 million |
| Box office | ₱77.6 million |
The film also served as the first theatrical debut for Domingo.[1]
Plot
editKimmy and Dora GoDongHae are the identical twin daughters of wealthy conglomerate chairman, Luisito GoDongHae. Kimmy is an intelligent high-ranking employee in her father’s company with a combative, ill-tempered personality, while Dora is sweet, naïve, and dimwitted. While on the road, Dora adopts a stray dog and names it Mikky, much to her sister’s annoyance. When Kimmy becomes extremely jealous that Johnson, an employee she is infatuated with, has feelings for Dora, Kimmy takes Mikky and abandons him in the middle of nowhere out of spite. This leads to an intense argument between the twins which soon turns physical, and causes Luisito to suffer a heart attack.
Recovering in the hospital, Luisito decides to give Dora majority ownership of the company in his will, believing Kimmy will be able to survive on her own. Feeling this to be unfair, Kimmy discusses with her lawyer, Harris, and inadvertently orders a hit on Dora while yelling at her maid to kill a cockroach.
At their father’s birthday party, Kimmy locks Dora in the bathroom and disguises herself as her twin so she can meet with Johnson. Three men hired by Harris mistake Kimmy for Dora, kidnap her, and take her to the countryside.
Kimmy manages to escape and is taken in by local farmer, Barry. Kimmy soon bonds with the locals and Barry, for whom she develops feelings. Meanwhile, to keep the company running and to not further distress Luisito, Johnson trains Dora to act like Kimmy and pretend to be her until she can be found. Struggling at first, Dora eventually becomes a successful stand-in for her older sister.
After a successful press conference, Luisito overhears Johnson and Dora and finds out about their ruse. He alerts the police who soon arrest Harris. After saying goodbye to Barry and getting on a bus to take her home, Kimmy narrowly escapes the kidnappers again and they are arrested by the police.
Upon learning that Dora is impersonating her, Kimmy rushes to the company building and confronts her, accusing Dora of having her kidnapped. The ensuing brawl between the twins leads to the roof where they are surrounded by the police who are there to arrest Kimmy but are confused by the twins wearing the same outfit. Both sisters insist that they are Dora and the other is Kimmy. Luisito arrives and explains Harris’s misunderstanding, whereupon Kimmy surrenders herself.
The issue is resolved with Harris and the kidnappers going to jail. Back at her office, Luisito reveals to Kimmy that he plans to move to the United States with Dora, and tells Kimmy how much he appreciates her and what she’s done for the company. While taking time to reflect on her own, Kimmy finds Mikky and takes him home. Kimmy apologizes to Dora, the two reconcile, and Dora and their father decide not to move after all.
Cast
editMain cast
edit- Eugene Domingo as Kimmy/Dora/Charito GoDongHae
- Dingdong Dantes as Johnson
- Zanjoe Marudo as Barry
Supporting cast
edit- Ariel Ureta as Luisito GoDongHae
- Moi Bien as Elena
- Miriam Quiambao as Gertrude
- Mura as Herbal Doctor
- Baron Geisler as Harris
- Phillip Nolasco as Manny
- Gabby Eigenmann as Kidnapper
- Archie Alemania as Kidnapper
- Zeppi Borromeo as Kidnapper
Special Guest
edit- Maria Alyssa Janela Calma as Young Kimmy Go Dong Hae and Young Dora Go Dong Hae
- Tess Antonio as Employee / Taong Grasa
- John Feir as Manong Maning
Cameos
editSeveral Filipino celebrities made cameo appearances in the movie.[2]
- Piolo Pascual
- Marvin Agustin as one of the waiters
- Christian Bautista as one of the waiters
- Mark Bautista as the Doctor
- Cristalle Belo-Henares
- Vhong Navarro as one of the waiters
- Rufa Mae Quinto
- Erik Santos as one of the waiters
- Paolo Ballesteros as one of the waiters
- Jinggoy Estrada
- Aiza Seguerra as the lounge singer
- Regine Velasquez as the English teacher
Release
editBox office
editThe film officially premiered on September 2, 2009 in 90 theaters around the Philippines. It became the number one movie to premiere during that week, beating out four Hollywood films and one local film.[3]
Critical reception
editReviews for the film have been largely positive, with Butch Francisco of the Philippine Star proclaiming it as one of the more intelligent local comedy films in a long time.[4]
Much of the critical praise has particularly been given to the performance of lead actress Eugene Domingo. Czeriza Valencia of the Philippine Entertainment Portal notes that Domingo served as the funny factor in the film, since her skillful execution in playing the two roles made the situations hilarious.[1] Lito Zulueta of the Philippine Daily Inquirer writes that Domingo's performance "runs the gamut of comic inventiveness" and "confirms her status as the country’s funniest comic ingénue".[5]
Sequel
editA sequel entitled Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme premiered in theaters nationwide on June 13, 2012. The film was shot in South Korea.[6]
Prequel
editIn late 2013, it was confirmed that there would be a prequel to the first two movies of the Kimmy Dora series, to be entitled Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel. The film was an official entry to the 2013 Metro Manila Film Festival.[7][8]
References
edit- ^ a b Valencia, Czeriza (August 31, 2009). "PEP REVIEW: Kimmy Dora will have viewers laughing non-stop". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
- ^ Dimaculangan, Jocelyn (August 14, 2009). "Eugene Domingo is still open to accepting supporting roles". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
- ^ "Kimmy Dora grabs number one movie of the week". Philippine Star. September 10, 2009. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
- ^ Francisco, Butch (September 5, 2009). "Hurray to Pinoy humor!". Philippine Star. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
- ^ Zulueta, Lito (September 2, 2009). "Eugene Domingo sinfully funny in 'Kimmy Dora'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013.
- ^ "Piolo: '2011 was my most challenging year'".
- ^ "Sam Milby topbills in Kimmy Dora Prequel". Retrieved October 14, 2013.
- ^ "Piolo Pascual and Eugene Domingo topbills "Kimmy Dora 3"!". Retrieved October 14, 2013.