The only reason I could think of if you don't compare Deadma Walking with Die Beautiful is that either you haven't seen Die Beautiful or the trailer of Deadma Walking skipped your 2017. It could also be both (that's just so sad) if no one has been brave enough around you to tell you that there is a need to watch these two films. In terms of overall quality, Deadma Walking doesn't beat the package of Die Beautiful. Let's have that established. But if you single out a criterion in which you judge these films based on how they affect you emotionally, it's probable that you'll remember Deadma Walking more as the one which made you teary-eyed without expecting it to.
We've heard about the overall plot. Two gay best friends tackle deaths and funerals and how to make them fabulous. This feels so 2016 all over again, that Paolo Ballesteros and Christian Bables tandem on the big screen. This is the same thought I had when I first watched the trailer of Deadma Walking. I was afraid people would expect it to be better than its fresh predecessor but only to end up underwhelming. It indeed did not shine critically the way Die Beautiful did last year. But while Deadma walking struggled to tie all its pieces to be an excellent cinematic effort, it proved to be more emotionally connecting. We love Die Beautiful because it greatly pays tribute to how we should better appreciate a gay person who struggles in our society. That however isn't what Deadma Walking's approach. You will love it because it will focus on things you should always take care of - family, friends and YOURSELF.
There are imperfections in Deadma Walking that are blatant enough you probably would point them out every now and then as the movie progresses. There are absurd plot elements that you'd definitely think unnecessary for the film - the inclusion of that sometimes-alienating Eugene Domingo cameo, flashbacks that try too hard to be humorous, punch lines which viewers are forced to laugh at, and a heavy drama scene premised on something that would only work with children, among other things.
But all these may be forgiven when the film starts bringing not just one but two plot twists then end up spraying some why-is-this-suddenly-so-heavy feels.
There are no other acting performances that are relevant enough to be discussed apart from those of the two lead roles. I have heard people say that Joross' performance here was weak, overshadowed by Edgar Allan's (EA) despite the latter only playing a supporting role. I think Joross Gamboa's character John couldn't be the Paolo Ballesteros' Trish to Christian Bables' Barbs because the character itself couldn't be any gayer than what could be comedically allowed. Joross plays a gay guy here who is successful, well-off and somewhat conservative. His character is restricting, sometimes one would feel like Joross is the one that prohibits the film to be fully vibrant. He plays someone with a serious-leaning personality in this film. That changes the overall tone significantly.
But the darkness that consumes Joross' character is offset by the vibrance that Edgar Allan Guzman's character Mark exudes. You can't help but notice how remarkable EA's performance in this film. People adore Christian Bables' performance in Die Beautiful because it was his first relevant performance as a gay man that we'd seen. He was new then and that unfamiliarity worked well with audiences. On the other hand, we have seen EA before in roles on TV and some movies. But in Deadma Walking, he appears on-screen like he has been doing gay roles since day 1. His natural and effective acting would make people want to see him on future roles as a gay person. And his last night's acting award nod was a respect to his stellar performance.
Deadma Walking's screenplay won 2nd prize in Palanca Awards for Dulang Pampelikula in 2016 so I was expecting it would get the Best screenplay but it didn't. I'd like to think that it is a reminder that there are flaws in Deadma Walking.
But these flaws, as I have said, don't materially abate the impact the film would have on the viewers as the credits start rolling.
Deadma Walking is one of the better films in this year's MMFF. Why choose purely comedy without an impact when you can have a comedy full of heart?
RATING: 8/10
xxx
@callmenorby
