Family Matters, the light family drama film entry to the 48th Metro Manila Film Festival, lived up to my expectations.
The blockbuster tandem of filmmaker Nuel Naval and screenwriter Mel Mendoza-del Rosario could draw more crowds, especially Filipino families, during the Christmas season–the MMFF-run nationwide. The film promises relatability and has the right mixed amount of entertainment value–light drama for the Filipino family.
The story that Mendoza-del Rosario penned is intimate. Moviegoers get invited to take a peek at the lives of the Florencio Family. Viewers have the front seats in witnessing every moment or mishap in the family. Naval approached the presentation of every scene as if the audience were part of it.
The two hours and 15-minute running time may be long, but the audience would not notice it since each scene is engaging. Every moment is essential in building up the characters in the film.
Mendoza-del Rosario masterfully weaved substories of each of the characters who anchored on two main leads–the senior married couple–Mr. and Mrs. Florencio, ably portrayed by two veteran stars–Noel Trinidad and Liza Lorena as Francisco and Eleonor. They have four grownup sons and daughters–Kiko (Nonie Buencamino), the successful son; Fortune (Mylene Dizon), the homemaker; Ellen (Nikki Valdez), the unmarried one; and Enrico (JC Santos), the happy-go-lucky son.
Their family is not perfect but remains normal and sane despite the siblings’ complications with each other. What glued them together–is the inspiring married life of their parents. However, one day, things got shaken Ellen decided to leave for a US trip to meet her boyfriend Chris.
Her absence left the rest of the siblings anxious about the condition of their aging parents whom Ellen left behind. The three siblings opted to take turns in looking over Francisco and Eleonor. The challenges began, and issues erupted between the siblings.
In this film, Trinidad and Lorena didn’t have to put too much effort into acting out their parts, which [easily] qualify them to clinch acting plums come December 27 at the MMFF’s Gabi ng Parangal. Between the three actresses–Dizon, Agot Isidro (who played Odette, Kiko’s wife), and Valdez–the former seemed to have stood out and could grab the best-supporting actress trophy. Buencamino and Santos could rival for the best-supporting actor award.
However, there are some scenes in the film that the audience may have to watch out for–like the candid moments with Francisco and his two sons–Kiko and Enrico. Also, that scene where Enrico serenaded his family and his long-time second live-in partner, Irene (Anna Luna). The sweet and intimate part of Fortune and her husband, Nelson (James Blanco), who made a promise to her wife that when he married her, he also married her family.
Those little moments make the film more relatable and adorable.
The official soundtrack (OST), Hawak Kamay sung by Floyd Tena and composed by Paulo Zarate and Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko interpreted by Princess Ybañez–were perfect in moving the emotions of the scenes of the film.
Naval’s film is a roller-coaster of emotions, but rest assured–the moviegoers would want to watch it again and again. It depicts the perfect portrait of what a family is all about. Just like a quotable quote from an anonymous author: “Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one.”
The beauty of the script, its storytelling–it’s not forced to be a tearjerker. Viewers could easily resonate with the scenes because they’re real and are not contrived. Del Rosario succeeded in painting scenes that usually occur in any household, like the family in the film.
Cineko Productions produced Family Matters will open on December 25, Christmas Day, in cinemas nationwide.
