Filipinos who saw the movie Dubai have praised the film as a moving love story and an accurate portrayal of what it is like to make a new life in a foreign country.

As reported in Gulf News, the romantic drama played to packed houses at Al Nasr Cinema during a three-day run last week.

The movie centres on two Dubai-based Filipino brothers, played by Aga Muhlach and John Lloyd Cruz, and the Filipina, Claudine Barretto, whom they both fall in love with.

Filmed almost entirely in Dubai, it deals with issues such as trying to save money, the dream of moving to North America and alienation from those back home in the Philippines.

There are scenes set in the desert as the trio enjoy a desert safari, while other parts of the movie show Shaikh Zayed Road, Dubai Creek and the Burj Al Arab.

Milleth A. Perez, 45, a beautician who has lived in Dubai for four years, said she "enjoyed it so much".

"People have been very excited about this film. It is true to life and you can get some lessons from it. It shows the importance of the family and responsibility for loved ones," she said.

Secretary Gigi Rosales, 37, a Dubai resident for the past 14 years, picked up on the same theme. "It is a nice family story and shows how you should love your brother. It is a box office hit already in the Philippines and it's done well here too because it's a very real story," she said.

Shipping company office worker Sony Estipular, 26, who has lived in Dubai for nearly two years, said all the Filipinos in Dubai "could really relate" to the film.

"What's really hard about living here is the geographical separation you are here and your family is in the Philippines. That was shown very well in the film," he said.

Waitress Kaye Deguzaman, 26, said she was moved to tears by the movie, particularly by a scene near the end when one of the main characters is in a critical condition in hospital.

"It was a very good film. I like it a lot although parts were sad," she said.

Accountant Jen Pariente, 32, described Dubai as an "excellent" film.

"It shows how important it is to save money and care for your family, which is like real life," she said.

However, Xernes Martinez, 26, an events co-coordinator for a five-star hotel in Dubai, said many parts of the movie did not ring true.

For example, he said it was unrealistic that enough money had been saved in a short spell to allow one of the brothers, John Lloyd Cruz's character, to move to Canada.