Maid in Malacañang (2022)

After 3 years in the pandemic. I did not expect my first movie in the cinema would be this controversial film, Maid in Malacañang by Darryl Yap.

This review is solely based on my thoughts and opinion of how the film is made, a comparison of characters to the people they were based on, and the overall feel of the movie as a viewer.

Disclaimer: I wasn’t able to watch the first 20 minutes of the movie because I went out to buy drinks. I wasn’t all that keen on watching the movie as well because, what else is there to know? Besides, I only watched the film because of my Mom and her friend, Ate Sylvia. It was a treat for them from me and a bonding experience for us.

These are my random thoughts about the movie:

• The movie felt theatrical or should I say raw? or maybe amateur-ish? It’s like a theatre play filmed on location instead of on stage.
• Cristine Reyes was apt to play the character of Imee Marcos. She was able to show the feisty woman Imee is in real life, or what she shows to the public. I just can’t imagine Imee Marcos in her though, like, looks-wise.
• Ruffa Gutierrez as Imelda Marcos was the most fitting character. I could not think of any other actress to portray her. Ruffa did her best to be soft spoken as how the real Imelda is, but her glam demeanor was enough for me in portraying Imelda. I almost loved her scene inside her shoe closet but I think it was under delivered. I mean, it wasn’t Imeldific enough thinking how extravagant and glamorous the real Imelda was.
• I could not see President Ferdinand Marcos Sr in Cesar Montano.
• You’d see various portraits of the real Marcoses in the background and I think that was necessary to remind the viewer that we’re watching about the family.
• Diego Loyzaga was so-so in playing BongBong Marcos. Can’t say much about his portrayal because I know most of it is made up to make it seem like he did a lot.
• I understand the confrontation scene between father and son was supposed to be intense, but it was one of the scenes that made it theatrical. I didn’t know where to focus plus I was distracted that the camera man’s reflection was seen for a split second. I could be wrong but that’s what I think I saw when I watched it.
• Ella Cruz can cry good. However, I also cannot see Irene Marcos in her, plus she doesn’t exude the class that Irene Marcos does.
• The three maids Biday, Lucy and Santa portrayed by Beverly Salviejo, Elizabeth Oropesa and Karla Estrada were good performers as expected. They were able to give the light side of the movie.
• I guess it’s a Darryl Yap trademark where the actors are deliberate when delivering their lines. Like, they will enunciate out loud in what should be conversational scenes. I guess it’s to give emphasis on the dialogue and the emotions. I say this basing it from the Vincentiments videos I tried watching in YouTube. I’m not entirely fond of that, just saying. I liked his movie Jowable, though, with Kim Molina.
• My favorite part would be the scene where they were about to leave the palace. I’m talking about the scene execution, the beat of the background music, and the montage of clips.
• Direk Darryl Yap has a potential in making films in the horror genre. I hope he delves into that.

I guess that’s that. I’ll rate this movie 3/5.

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once (2022)

The premise is honestly intriguing, even from the title itself. You have the multiverse theme, but the overall vibe seemed like the classic, American produced Asian film.

It starts out with Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh) and her family managing their laundry business and preparing for the upcoming Chinese New Year. Several issues come out to play, one with her husband, then something with her daughter, her father visiting them, plus another about their business and taxes.

The multiverse introduces itself when Evelyn gets into a daydream like trance while they were having a discussion with their IRS officer, Deirdre (Jamie Lee Curtis). Suddenly, she’s the chosen one to bring back the balance between universes because someone who discovered they could be all powerful tries to destroy all universes.

Towards the end, I understood why the multiverse was necessary. It’s usually the kind of thoughts people have about their life, the what ifs and the ‘nothing in this world matters’ kind.

In this movie, the what ifs are somehow addressed through the multiverses as it tackles through the characters personal issues. As usual, it boils down towards the contentment and appreciation of the life you’re already living in, in your own universe. There’s a lot of acceptance involved, which many find hard to do.

The movie is described as an absurd dramedy. It really is, which what makes it a unique film for the books.

I rate this movie an 8/10.