Powerful

Memorable, crazy movie

Great Film overall

Best movie ever!

METRO MANILA FILM REVIEWby James R. TekikoThe Pitfalls of Urban Migration : The Great City DreamAs the lone Filipino film ,Metro Manila stands tall among those moving pictures that were exhibited in this year's Big Picture Film Festival held in Sydney. Already a runaway winner in British Independent Film Award 2013 for Best Film, Best Director (Sean Ellis) and Best Production Achievement, my expectation was definitely high. And it delivered.Filmed entirely in the Philippines, mainly in Metro Manila by Sean Ellis, a British film director who doesn't speak a single word of Filipino, the mind boggles how he managed to create a film like this whose screenplay is entirely in our native language.The theme of poverty and urban migration reminds viewers of previous opus of the great National Artist for Film,Lino Brocka in films like Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag (1975),Jaguar (1979) and Kapit sa Patalim,Bayan Ko (1985). SUMMARYStruggling to make both ends meet as farmers in Banaue, couple Oscar Ramirez(Jake Macapagal) and Mai (Althea Vega) decided to migrate in Metro Manila to search for a better future for their family. With only P1200 on hand and a few personal effects they boarded a jeepney to their dream paradise in the city. Upon arrival in Manila, they were caught in the midst of the procession of the Black Nazarene reminiscent of the similar opening scene in Brocka's Bona (1980). The erring devotion of the people in the Black Nazarene mirrors the family's strong faith in God, their only source of hope. While in Metro Manila the Black Nazarene scene is a symbol of hope and fervent devotion to God , in Bona it is a metaphor to Nora Aunor 's (Bona) "blind faith" or wild adulation to Philip Salvador (Gardo), a film extra. From day one, the Ramirez' struggled to cope in the big city. They were duped into giving the only money they have for a small room in the slums only to be thrown back to the streets the next day by the police. Oscar fondly called as Oca, tried to find all sorts of job in the city but to no avail. So in the end, Mai has no recourse but to be a bar girl in one of the joints of the metropolis, carrying her two young daughters ages 8 and 6 months old with her in the club.Eventually,Oca managed to find a job as a driver/assistant in an armoured car company for a meagre P500 a day salary so Mai still has to carry on with her job. Oca's innocence and simple ways endeared him to his driving partner Ong (John Arcilla). As Oca's training continued, he got embroiled in the company's secrets. The tragedy that struck Ong when his previous assistant got killed in a robbery incident in the bank left him with a safety box with tons of money. The major problem is that the box can't be forcibly open as ink will damage all the money. The only way to do it is to be able to get the elusive key that they don't have any access.Following this premise, my heart was pounding as the film carried on. Near the end when Ong got killed I thought the plan to recover the money fizzled but there was a twist in the story. The last scene in the bus wherein Mai was carrying a bag bursting to the seams with money tells us that Oca was successful in managing to get the key that opened the box of abundance for the Ramirez family. It was later revealed in the last 5 minutes of the film how Oca managed to pull a fast one on the company. Although Oca died in the process of getting the key, his death was not in vain. In their hearts they will carry with them his memory. He paid the ultimate sacrifice - his own life for the betterment of his family. And what could be more noble than that?ANALYSISMetro Manila is an eye opener to the perils of urban migration. In the dog eat world of the metropolis the weak ones always get used and abused and the strong ones succeeds. It is not an easy film to watch because it presents the grim reality of urban living without the blinders on. This is the current state of Metro Manila in the eyes of the new urban settler, thinking that the city is paved with golden opportunities only to realise the opposite.This film clearly shows that desperate men take desperate measures to survive. Poverty, uncertainty and hopelessness can ignite a sense of desperation in each one of us. The twist in the end was remarkable because it was unexpected. All throughout the film Oca was depicted as innocent nearly a simpleton doing everything that society dictates him, particularly his mentor, Ong. And yet in the last 5 minutes of the film he was able to hatch a plan that the company never expected. It was 180 degree turn of Oca's character. He was not simple after all. His mind was working all along.The screenplay was well written. The narrative was linear with few flashbacks thrown in the middle with good effect. The dialogue was apt and real. In fact it was quiet for most of the time. There is no uber melodramatic dialogues, no cheesy lines, no "kilig" scenes and yet you can feel the love emanating from the couple. You can also feel the desperation of the characters without resorting to histrionics. Mostly it is bottled up and just felt in the heart. Most emotions are unspoken. Editing was fast paced. There was no boring moment. It was quick that you might miss a shot that is quite important.An example would be the scene immediately after the family arrives in the city, the camera pans on the words "In God we trust" on the wall of a massive building . It was just a 1 second shot but it reinforces the faith that the family has. The acting of the cast is impeccable. Jake Macapagal is very believable as a simple father and husband who cares for his family. His breakdown scene during the 'boys night out ' at the club was gut wrenching. There was no line spoken only body movements that evoked desperation and submission at the same time. On the other hand Althea Varga is credible as a young wife and mother trapped in the jungle of poverty. Her 'dance scene' at the bar in the middle of the film is heartbreaking. Instead of feasting your eyes on the dancers, the viewers feels her character's anguish and hopelessness.Even the supporting cast was topnotch, John Arcilla (Ong) was charismatic and sinister at the same time. All along he planned for Oca to join the company because he has a vested interest in him. His gestures and body movements prevented his character from being one dimensional. Even Erin Panlilio who played Angel the oldest daughter was brilliant. She can cry at a drop of a hat. For a very brief role as Dora the wife of Ong, Ana Abad Santos shine in the "kartero scene", wherein Oca brought all the personal effects of the dead Ong to her. Symbolisms and metaphors abound in the film. Coming from the slums where water is difficult to access, the 'shower scene', where the couple had the luxury to bath and romance at the same time becomes poignant because it not only evoked unwavering passion but it also symbolises their progress. The tortured cat rescued by Angel, Oca's daughter represents people being tormented by others. In the end the key that opened the money box was taken from the imprint inside the locket that contained the images of Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ as if saying that God has 'blessed' the plan of Oca.Over-all the film Metro Manila may be regarded as one of the best films of last year. It is well crafted, relevant and well acted. What's remarkable about it is that it took a British filmmaker and producer to create a realist film like this about Metro Manila that we as Filipinos haven't done in a long while and yet it echoes the sentiments and pain of the entire nation as if it was done by a Pinoy director.Indeed, it's theme of poverty and urban migration is universal. That is why it struck a sensitive chord and pull the heartstring of it's viewers all over the world. This film is not for viewers who wants to escape the realities of life. This film is for people who wants their heart filled and their soul cleanse.

In general, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. The plot was well developed and kept the watcher engaged in the film. This film was unlike traditional American films, which was very refreshing to watch. It helped to give another perspective on the world and especially third world countries. This film discussed issues such the roles of women and crime in the Philippines. In the end, Oscar has to make a difficult decision in order to save his family and he ends up giving up his life for his family to have a better life. If I were in his shoes I think it would be hard to make a decision, but knowing my sacrifice will help my family live the life they deserve I would also give up my life. Overall, This movie is a must watch due to the fact that it gives you a different perspective on the world and has and intricate and interesting plot that keeps the watcher on the edge of their seat.

I liked the film Metro Manila. It showed the power struggle of being desperate for money. Money is needed for many things. For example, Oscar and his wife, Mai, needed it for health care, food, housing, and providing for their family. These are some very significant things that are important for survival. Throughout this film, it showed Oscar being tested to his limits to provide and protect his family. It showed how far a man can go for his family. Corruption was also a big part of this movie. This was shown through the people living in the city and the city itself. It shows the amount of poverty in the Philippines and the struggle it can be to find jobs. The characters played their roles very well. It was like we were watching a documentary more than a movie because you could connect with the characters through their struggles.

Overall I thought this was an excellent film. Oscar the protagonist in the film and his family flee the Northern part of the Philippines, and venture out to Metro Manila with no food, money, or any place to stay. They have troubles adapting to their new life, but try to find ways to earn some money in Manila, by finding occupations that they wouldn't do, if they had the choice. Oscar's wife who has two children finds a job at a club, but has a hard time doing something that she is against, as for Oscar who had a hard time finding a job and a place to live with his family, found a job as a security officer for Manila Armored Couriers, and bonded with Ong one of senior officers that he worked with. At first Ong was nice to Oscar lending him an apartment to stay in, but soon started to threaten Oscar. Oscar started getting more involved with Ong, and the mess that he started, which was staging a robbery, and taking a security box with him,and told Oscar that he needed a copy of the key. The day that Ong and Oscar went to stage the robbery, Ong tries to surrender to box, but fails and gets killed. At the end when Oscar finally retrieves the key that opens the security box, he gets caught on camera, and unfortunately dies at the end of the film. The ending of the film resembled to some American films, because even though Oscar died, his wife was able to get hold of the money in the box, and move on with her children. It shows that to a bad ending, there can always be happy endings as well. My favorite character in the film was Oscar's wife, because she was a very determined and brave woman. She was always there for Oscar and her kids, and tried to do her best, in order to help her family in some way, rather than have Oscar do it all himself. After seeing this film I think that it earns a 5/5 stars.