Forever and a day
(First published in BusinessWorld on December 28, 2011)
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Directed by Jun Lana
Regal Films
How does one move on? If happiness is a choice, how does one choose to be truly happy? Is all really fair in love and war?
Tough questions - but the kind Palanca-awardee Jun Lana, the director behind films such as Gigil and Roxxxane, seems willing to answer in the form of his Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry this year: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.
In the absence of a tears-inducing Mano Po installment this year, this Lily Monteverde-produced flick deftly seeks to exploit the whole range of human emotions in the tradition that Filipino moviegoers have come to know and love - but with a more concerted effort to be cheesier, and, for lack of a better word, emo.
The film is bursting with memorable characters, played by a star- studded cast: top media honcho Mariel (Maricel Soriano) infamous for meanness; advertising executive Garry (Gabby Concepcion), Mariel's ex- husband who has found new love in Charlotte (Carla Abellana); Mariel's brother Jacob (Jericho Rosales), who works for their family's TV empire; gym-going society matron Agnes (Agot Isidro) and her attractive daughter Celine (Solenn Heusaff), who happens to be Mariel's and Jacob's half- sister.
The characters' lives are thrown into turmoil after an earthquake hits Metro Manila. They begin to assess their respective relationships in light of their various circumstances after the quake. Passions are reawakened, motives are questioned, desires are revealed. One thing's for sure: their lives will never be the same again.
Amid all the characters' different problems and issues: the film essentially boils down to two main topics: integrity and redemption - which seem to hint at an attempt at social relevance and depth, if one were to look at it that way.
The film pointedly questions how honest the characters really are - or want to be - not just to their co-players, but, more importantly, to themselves, thus also examining their motives and reasons for being.
The film also explores the idea of redemption - are you willing to forgive the person who seems to have wronged you? And what is the price you are willing to pay to offer that measure of forgiveness?
Most of the film's subplots are resolved by way of reconciliation, but it is interesting how others have a more vague ending, leading filmgoers to judge the characters' reasons for taking the path not normally taken.
The filmmakers must be lauded for managing to weave the different subplots together, a feat rarely managed in Filipino cinema. However, the effort seems strained: some actors' performances seem to be hampered by the vastness of what Jun Lana wants to achieve. There is simply too many details and dialogue to make for a single-sitting comprehension of the film.
The film's top-rated actors seem oddly limited; Mr. Concepcion and Ms. Isidro hardly have any notable dialogue, and their characters seem dull. While Ms. Soriano churns out an excellent performance as usual, it is typical Maricel - nothing new here, which is sad considering the woman's talents and abilities.
Ms. Soriano's much-anticipated tandem with 1980s co-star Mr. Concepcion fails to spark on the screen. Further, the Diamond Star's role seems very reminiscent of hard-hearted businesswoman Vera Go she played in Mano Po.
Strong performances, however, are given by the film's younger set - Jericho Rosales, Lovi Poe, and Carla Abellana. Mr. Rosales and Ms. Poe shine and are able to give the right amount of emotion in their respective dramatic scenes, while Ms. Abellana also effectively brandishes her prowess in her clashes with Mariel throughout the movie.
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow promises a breadth of emotions and thought- provoking scenes, its cinematic artistry assured. People have problems, they fall apart, sparks fly, and they pick up the pieces - which in reality is not too extraordinary.
But then again, there's always tomorrow to look forward to.
Photo Credit: http://rodmagaru.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Movie-Review-Yesterday-today-and-Tomorrow.jpg