ANG LARAWAN (2017): A FILM REVIEW
2:35:00 PM
'Ang Larawan' is such a beautiful mystery. It's like a house made of several select bricks that are the best among the bests. But the thing is, everything that builds it up may be perfect but the house itself isn't. It's missing something - a layer or a depth no one may be brave enough to point out.
Of course, technicalities were used in choosing the Best Picture for this year's Metro Manila Film Fest and that's how things should be. Ang Larawan won Best Picture because it has everything that award should be looking for - the most powerful ensemble cast we might not be able to see again for a long time in a Filipino musical on the big screen, a production design that feels so carefully and patiently crafted it takes us back to the glory of pre-World War II Manila and to some extent, a ground-breaking impact since it made the whole country realize that Filipinos still have the capabilities to make movies of this caliber and artistic dedication. However, on a personal note, I wish Ang Larawan wasn't all-focused on its grandeur because I feel like the narrative was compromised when the opportunity was given. It lacked spontaneity. That may be forgiven if it was staged on a theater but it was on the big screen.
Every performance in Ang Larawan will be iconic in terms of its probable impact to contemporary Filipino Film, Art and Literature. It's not going to be surprising if people will continue to rave about the performance of each of the cast of the ensemble. The only debatable performance perhaps is that of Paulo Avelino but I could say he did a pretty good job in the movie. There's Rachel Alejandro who couldn't be more perfect for her role. And there's Joana Ampil. This girl is a force of nature. She's Ang Larawan's biggest and brightest star whose voice, facial expressions and presence are hard to forget. Everyone who finishes watching the film would hand her the Best Actress award even without watching the other entries. The rest of the cast deserve all the recognition for their talent. They were all probably handpicked and their art has bloomed in full in this film.
On top of the magnificent performances, it's hard not to mention how Ang Larawan turned out as grand as it is because of the ingenuity of the Libretto and Screenplay of Rolando Tinio and a legendary musical scoring of not less than The Ryan Cayabyab himself. A combination of the arts of these two allows Ang Larawan to build up the viewers emotions and play with them through every single line spoken or note sung by each of the characters. One doesn't even need to be patient, I guess, to revel in the singing in each scene. The production design is complimented by an outstanding cinematography. It's an amazing feeling to be transported back to Intramuros circa 1940s. And Ang Larawan does that effectively.
It's sad though that even if I clapped after the movie ended, something inside me demanded more. Not more songs, not more lines. But probably more layer in the narrative that I feel was too respectful of its original source material. Ang Larawan is an extravaganza but I personally feel like the storytelling could have been better by adding some scenes perhaps or more confrontations. I keep on thinking that the original material may have struggled with this too. Because it was staged and musical plays are meant to be delighted as a stage, a whole package, a large picture. But for a movie, the director has an opportunity to add layer by zooming into faces, and transition through images and emotions for more depth. Yet I feel like Ang Larawan did not grab the opportunity to do that.
My issue is with the resolutions and conflicts in the plot. There are many lovely themes - women empowerment, art versus commerce, fight between being idealistic and being pragmatic, family values and even national identity struggles. But it seems Ang Larawan, at least the film, doesn't weave tightly each conflict to its resolutions. You may be delighted with everything it offers but it makes you ask questions the film does not have strength to answer.
Nonetheless, my personal issues on the storytelling of Ang Larawan shouldn't be a reason for me to say not to watch this film. This film is a national pride inspired, made, composed and finished by national prides.
Please go and watch Ang Larawan. it's going to give you another pleasure of being a Filipino. It's hard to find that in MMFF films nowadays.
RATING: 8.5/10
xxx
@callmenorby
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