January 2, 2016
This deadly serious film was tops for most critics list to be the Best Picture of the current Metro Manila Film Festival. However, a day before the awards night last December 27, this film was notoriously disqualified from competing for Best Picture because of its alleged nondisclosure that it had been the opening film of the CinemaOne Originals filmfest last November. Oddly however, it was still okay to compete in the other categories. Its newspaper ads proudly declares its disqualification as one of the reasons why this film had to be seen.
Edgar was an outsider living among the rich folk of Baguio City, silently watching on the sidelines as his sociable wife Kaye brought home the bacon by inviting investors in a get-rich-quick scheme hatched by her father. Eventually, his wife's foolish activities plunge them into dire and dangerous straits. Pushed to extreme desperation, Edgar had to swallow his pride, go back to the past he left behind in order to try and save his family.
To simply say that John Lloyd Cruz went out of his comfort zone to play Edgar would be an understatement. There was nothing romantic nor comedic about his performance here. Of course, his leading man looks and carriage do somehow get in the way of being convincing as a Bontoc miner, but Cruz was completely committed to his character and we all felt it. It was disappointing that he was not rewarded with the Best Actor Award. While Jericho Rosales was not bad in "#Walang Forever," he did not go through the harrowing wringer Cruz had to go through to do "Honor Thy Father."
Meryll Soriano (as Kaye) effectively reflected their family's fall from grace on her expressive face. This performance should have been recognized with an award. Krystal Brimmer was very brave to play Angel, the young daughter innocently caught in the perilous web her parents got themselves into.
Director Erik Matti made it so stifling and uncomfortable from beginning to end. The immaculately white scenes of the church services were clearly satirical of organized religion. Tirso Cruz III's award-winning performance of the head preacher reeked with deluded hypocrisy. The scene when the house was ransacked and that one in the bank stand out because of their outstandingly heart-stopping tension with its editing of images and sound effects. Only during that remarkably calm scene of Edgar with his mother (played with dignity by Perla Bautista) can we breathe for a moment, but it was all too brief.
"Honor Thy Father" was relentlessly bleak down to its uncertain ending, yes, yet you know you are witnessing something extraordinary. 8/10.
It was refreshing to see JLC in a slightly different genre doing a more mature role. I just felt that the film dragged during the digging portion. I found it unnecessarily long.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really high rating. This movie sounds so awesome and heartfelt. I would love to watch it soon, hopefully.
ReplyDeleteI thought it's a great movie however it's too sad to be watched on a holiday. The ending also makes people think.
ReplyDeleteWow this movie Honor Thy Father had such a high rating. I would like to watch it too but is sad that its not available in my country at this monent.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to watch this movie. Everyone is talking about it. I hope I still catch it in the cinema :)
ReplyDeleteNever heard about this before. You gave a high rating, sounds like a movie that must watch! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNeverheard of this movie before but i'll check it out :)
ReplyDeleteWould love to see the film. The title itself is intriguing. I like John Lloyd, and it would be interesting to watch him play a different character.
ReplyDeleteIt's a really high caliber type of movies. It's just sad that it isn't given enough exposure compared to the top raters, which lacks depth and story for a movie.
ReplyDeleteSounds deep! I hadn't known of this actor and just googled him. He looks so young and charming. Indeed its stepping out of comfort zone to do deep roles when they can get away doing simple romantic roles!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a pretty serious movie. That's a very generous rating too. It definitely got me interested.
ReplyDeleteIs this an english film? Ok, I will go google this film so that I will know more, Don't think it's showing in Singapore, but will try to find it!
ReplyDeleteThe genre of this film is not something I like to watch on holidays but it seems to be pretty thought-provoking. Will try watching it if I can find a torrent. Thanks for sharing!
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