Metro Manila

It’s surprising to know that this movie, which is titled after our country’s capital, is helmed, written and produced by Sean Ellis, a British director. The cast is all-Filipino and the setting is none other than places in the Philippines. But not only that, the United Kingdom chose this as their entry to Academy Awards’ Best Foreign Language category!

What I’ve seen in this movie reflects the reality that we face in our country today. People who find it too hard to thrive in the provinces try out their luck in the metropolis without knowing the dire consequences that they could face while being in the city.

The story of Metro Manila centers on Oscar Ramirez (Jake Macapagal) and his family who decided to escape the hardships they encounter in the northern part of the country. Hopeful yet uncertain about what lies ahead, they went to Metro Manila. It’s not long enough before they fall victims to the city’s corrupt and manipulative system. However, Oscar found hope when he landed a job as an armored truck driver/ courier. Little did he know that his life will change right after.

The movie is able to truly capture the city streets’ gripping everyday situation. I am awed to learn that the people behind the movie did not hire a Filipino writer to pen the screenplay. Instead, they wrote it in the English language and asked the Filipino actors to speak their dialogues out according to what they understood in each scene. And what came out was a brilliant and realistic script.

There are many outstanding shots in the film, whether they show squalor or splendor. The backdrop in the early part of the film ably captured the tranquil and simple life in the countryside. Meanwhile, the setting in the city totally reflected the untidy and harsh realities of the city. Such contrasting situations made a great effect not just to the eyes that see, but also the minds that ponder. The audience won’t be able to resist reflecting about what they have just watched. And it would be up to them to act upon what they have learned.

This movie is sad and tragic right from the start. There are only a few movies that I have watched that’s downright depressing and this is one of them. But it doesn’t stay that way all throughout. Glimpses of hope and promise to a life of hardships can be seen in the unfolding stories of the characters. The quick transition of their lives from a clean and simple one to a filthy and complicated one, though, has its consequences. The scenes that captured this change are praise-worthy, much like the soaring climax that ended a steady yet not boring story-telling. And wait until the satisfying end, which hits a good mark after everything that happened.

The cast of the movie is great. Jake Macapagal is very believable as Oscar Ramirez, a simple and caring husband/father who would do anything for the sake of his family. Althea Vega is always into her element as Oscar’s wife, who decided to get into a dirty job to help out. My favorite scene in the film involves these two actors, and that would be the montage of Oscar having a good time with his co-workers and his wife dancing almost naked in front of lusting men. Their portrayal of the said scene will stop your heart from beating. Jake seems to be laughing heartily during the scene but after looking deeply into it, he really seems to be crying. Althea was trying hard to please and entertain her audience, but you’ll feel in her performance her character’s deep sadness. Meanwhile, the other brilliant actor in the film is John Arcilla, who intensely portrays Oscar’s partner/senior officer in their company. He breathed and looked the part he was assigned to portray. The supporting cast is also good, and they’re part of the reason why the whole movie seems real.

If there’s one recent film about the Philippine capital that you should see, it’s this movie. Who knows, maybe it’ll open up your eyes to the reality the bright lights and pleasing sounds of the metro are trying to conceal.

Metro Manila’s movie rating by the pondering movie fan: 4.5 out of 5