In YCC's book called "Sampung Taong Sine: Philippine Cinema 1990-1999", it explained that despite the title role, Mariel (Sharon) was not the central character, but Edward (Christopher de Leon). Sa kanya uminog ang mundo ni Mariel. Siya ang naging dahilan ng paulit-ulit na pagtangis niya. It was only when Edward came into full circle that Mariel had surpassed her own struggles. The film may had painted a different color for step mothers, but it had remained inside the box in its depiction of women. Sharon seemed to go out of the character every now and then when she goes from being the tough head of an advertising firm then a yielding wife at home. (Valerio, p. 35)
While I could see the point in Valerio's arguments in terms of characterization, should the writing (or even the direction) be faulted for this? Didn't the Megastar gave the best that was asked of her to deserve even a citation when it wasn't even a bad performance? She stepped-up her A game the way she hasn't did before.
This is what Oggs Cruz (a film critic) and I had talked about one time about the works of Olivia Lamasan. They may be technically-polished, but overall they end up confusing and lacking focus.
In Milan (2004) the story focus shifts from Lino (Piolo Pascual) to Jenny (Claudine Barretto). There was no clear-cut distinction as to whose character the audience should follow. In In My Life (2009), I found Shirley Templo's (Vilma Santos) character's too ambiguous. Sa umpisa ay tila ang dapat niyang matutunan ay mag-adjust sa makabagong mundong kanyang kinabibilangan. Subalit sa huli lamang niya malalaman kung anong klase siya ng ina sa kanyang mga anak at doon magmumula ang kanyang pagbabago. We were made to go through her tedious journey only to find out a different lesson she had to learn.
In her latest release, In the Name of Love (2011), it is the theme that seems baffling. It is a love story caught in a tumultuous socio-political background, the kind that Lino Brocka used to make. If he indeed helmed the said film, malinaw ang kapupuntahan nito.
Napakaraming interesanteng karakter sa pelikula na hindi nabigyan ng sapat na attensyon. Bagkus ay naging palabok lamang sa masalimuot na relasyon nina Emman (Aga Muhlach) at Cedes (Angel Locsin). Kaya naman nagtapos ito sa isang nakakaumay na tamis na pagkakatuluyan ng dalawang karakter na maituturing na bitter ending at hindi happy ending. Parang isinakay tayo sa isang grandiosang roller coaster na imbes na na-enjoy natin ay pinasuka tayo sa pagtatapos nito at pinasakit ang ulo.
Sa state of confusion din nagtapos ang kasalukuyang pelikula ng Star Cinema na Forever and a Day (2001) sa direksiyon ni Cathy Garcia-Molina. When the movie cues for the closing credits, I heard someone say, "Ang pangit ng ending." I could only surmise the reason behind such comment.
For one thing, the burial scene was abrupt. Yes, it was bound to happen. However, the scene prior to that didn't give the audience enough time to prepare for such an event. Technically, the camera shot from above the bed of the two leads explains it, but it was lacking the emotions needed for one's release.
Second, the last scene seems to suggest the celebration of Raffy's life with the people she has touched and the things she has done. But this movie isn't Pay It Forward or any movie with such concept. Aside from her family, Raffy only made a significant difference to one person, i.e. Euge. And without Euge's fresh attitude towards her in the beginning, they wouldn't make a connection. Or Raffy might not be able to conquer her fears even. It was Euge who moved her, the same person who encouraged her to continue fighting her disease. Without him, she might not be able to pursue the things she wanted to do. But, her biggest contribution was teaching Euge the art of letting go; to know when to stop; to understand that giving up doesn't mean defeat rather a courageous act of accepting one's weakness.
Nevertheless, this isn't to say that Forever and a Day (and the rest of the films I've mentioned) is a bad film. It is entertaining enough as it goes through its motions of romantic encounters between the two leads till complication arises between them. It delivers enough emotions that'll bring out smiles and tears every now and then. 'Yun nga lang, the stops it made along its journey didn't contribute well to the overall outcome of the experience.
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Much has been said about KC's acting and her box-office bankability. I believe that KC can act, contrary to what others say na bano siya pagdating sa aktingan. She just needs a little fine tuning in delivering her lines and emotions. Dahil galing s'ya sa teatro, di maiiwasang maging malaki ang kanyang mga galaw at emosyon at kailangang maging aware siya rito, maging ang kanyang direktor. Fortunately, in this movie, she managed to control her emotions well. Subdued acting and refined delivery of dialogues. Phil Dy, in his review, says "she seems to do weel when paired with directors that really care. Given instruction, Concepcion thrives."
There's a lot of room for improvement still. There are parts of the film na hindi ko masyadong maramdaman ang emotion niya particularly the zip line sequence. I can't say if it was her fault or the way the scene was written or directed. Pero hindi sapat para sa 'kin ang pinakita niyang expression ng Acrophobia. Ibang-iba sa rafting scene kung saan ramdam na ramdam mo ang imminent danger ng sitwasyon. (Siguro nga ay sa direksyon ito nagkulang.)
I felt that KC's character details were not paid much attention. Hindi siya mukhang may sakit. Malusog at malakas siyang tingnan sa kabuuan ng pelikula kahit pa noong nag-undergo na siya ng chemotherapy.
With that said, in terms of box-office appeal, hindi man ito maging gaanong malakas ay hindi dapat ito isisi kay KC. This is a Sam Milby film! Isa lang siya sa mga karakter sa tutulong upang mabuo ang pagkatao ni Euge katulad ng mga kapamilya nito, kaibigan, at katrabaho. Sa tingin ko nga ay hindi magbabago ang appeal nito kung sakaling ibang artista ang ginamit.
Photos are from Forever and a Day Press Photos
Related reviews: Phil Dy's "Another Version of Happiness"
