FLASHBACK: Magnifico---- truly magnificent!

Title:
Magnifico (A)
Actors:
Jiro Manio, Albert Martinez, Lorna Tolentino, Isabella de Leon, Gloria Romero, Celia Rodriguez Danilo Barrios, Amy Austria, Cherry Pie Picache, Mark Gil, Tonton Gutierrez, Susan Africa, Dindin Llarena
Director:
Maryo J. de los Reyes
Story and Screenplay:
Michiko Yamamoto
Editor / Music:
Manet A. Dayrit / Lutgardo Labad
Photography / Design:
Odyssey Flores / Gerry Santos
Producer:
Violetta C. Sevilla
Studio:
Violett Films

"O buhay, walang katapusang dusa" (Life.. a never ending misery)

For the first time in such a very long time, I’m speechless. I don’t know where to begin. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how I can possibly give justice to this great work of art that’s truly incomparable. It was a true mirage of the real Filipino culture, its ups and downs, and the infinite power of good will.

Magnifico (Manio) is the second born of a poor rural couple. He was born in such a deplorable environment, but he never lost his enthusiasm with life in general. One day, her grandmother (Romero) had an accident and was later on diagnosed with a terminal disease. The naïve boy started to plan his grandmother’s funeral, from the casket up to the interment clothes. The only thing missing is the burial grounds. Meanwhile, his other wish of bringing his handicapped sister (de Leon) to a carnival turned gloomy, when he chose to buy her granny’s medicine instead of paying for the wheelchair’s rent. Will he be able to take his sister to the carnival? Will he be able to raise enough money for the entombment before her granny dies?

This movie was issued two years ago, barely noticed it when it was shown in the cinemas and I blame the Philippine media and the Filipino movie audience (including me) for being so fucking concentrated on the so-so movies that five-edged company releases. We only started to notice it, when aliens started to hail this movie, and the natural Filipino impulse? We claim that it’s ours though we barely took note of it. When will we ever learn? I already did, but I doubt that others will, at least soon enough….

Knowing how acclaimed this movie was, I prepared myself not to expect that much. I wouldn’t wanna be disappointed cuz this caliber of Filipino movies rarely turn up. In the beginning, I felt as if I was watching a French movie. It has this certain artsy partsy frenchie going on; from the camera shots to the whole ambiance. As the movie progresses, unique Filipino movie qualities started to flaunt, conversation scene shots for example. It was very smooth in the beginning, a little slower than I would like it to be, but it worked, cuz it wasn’t forcing the audience to see it. It’s so real that you can’t stop yourself from recognizing the lines as if you’ve experienced them first-hand. And then, the final 30 minutes of the movie came, and I realized that tears were slowly pouring out of my eyes, and it continued to do so till the end of the movie.



Michiko Yamamoto deserves all the awards for writing excellence. I’ve just never seen a much more real depiction of modern rural Filipino life ever! The dialogues were so natural; it’s impossible not to relate to at least a handful of them. It’s real, in the unfeigned essence of the word. Thanks to the director Maryo J. for knowing exactly what to do. I abhor one scene though, which I think was no longer necessary, and she went a little shoddy. It’s tolerable, but that palamig (lemonade) singing scene was certainly needless and OA.

The sound was good enough, at least we didn’t bother to borrow any David Williams classic, at least I think so. The cinematography went a little overboard a couple of times, but allowable. The photography was good, very simple, the way it should be. The editing wasn’t that perfect but definitely better than other Filipino movies.

Jiro Manio is a star. Those chinky (chinito) eyes will definitely go far. Man, he played the role so well that I hope he’s that good in real life. Let’s pray that Pinoy show business won’t corrupt his flimsy mind. Albert Martinez was good, a very subtle yet powerful performance. Lorna Tolentino is unbelievably good in playing poverty-stricken characters that I’m just in awe. She’s definitely not poor, I mean cmon with that skin! Gloria Romero is still a charmer, just like Celia Rodriguez, however, the glitz of the latter still shows. Isabella de Leon is just astounding! Jiro may be a star but this one’s an artiste. She’s beyond great for her age. Amy, Cherry Pie, and the rest of the veterans did an amazing support job that I’d say this is one of the highlights of their careers. Being part of such a great movie, despite of whatever role, is still a part in a great movie. I would work in this movie for free if I were given the chance.

The last film I saw that made me cry as much, was Anak. The only difference between the two, this one wasn’t trying to make me cry. That’s how great the script and the execution were. Drama, or even cinema in general is better tacit. No words, pure action. It’s what makes it different from novels or books. If a film succeeds in making you cry without attempting to do so by uttering petty stagy lines, it is a real film.

This movie is definitely a must-see. Despite its lack of prevailing technology, regardless of its diminutive budget, notwithstanding of its simplicity, this film succeeded. It’s a classic film about love, family, contentment and good will that transcends even the thickest concrete and the highest walls. It’s a bona fide attestation that at the end of the day, the story, is the one that truly matters. And this one’s story, is truly magnifico!