MMFF 2017 Movie Review : Loy Arcenas' "Ang Larawan"

"Life, like art, is intricate." So is this beautiful big screen adaptation of one of the most celebrated plays by Nick Joaquin.

It's the time of the year again for the country's biggest and most anticipated film event, the Metro Manila Film Festival. And even though I am very disappointed with the MMFF focusing again on commercial viability for it's criteria this year and turning this festival into nothing but a money-making scheme, I am still excited to see some of the festival's entries, particularly this one. I used to have a tradition of watching only comedy films on Christmas Day. But this year, I decided to break away from that tradition to see this one.

Ang Larawan is the film adaptation of Larawan, The Musical which is based on National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin’s three-act English play A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino. First published in 1952, Joaquin’s work has been depicted numerous times on stage on screen and in English and Filipino—making it one of the most pedigreed literary works of the Philippines. In 1997, Musical Theater Philippines (now Culturtain Musicat Productions Inc. ) headed by singer Celeste Legaspi and talent manager/producer Girlie Rodis staged Larawan, the first musical rendition of Joaquin’s great play, at the CCP. The elegaic play was transformed into a musical with a libretto written by National Artist for Theater Rolando Tinio and music created by iconic original Filipino music composer Ryan Cayabyab. This year, Culturtain with the help of supervising producer Alemberg Ang, shares Ang Larawan, The Movie with the global audience. Loy Arcenas, a multi-awarded Broadway theatrical set designer and director, was at the helm of the much-awaited film. The film had it's premiere last October 30, 2017 in Japan as part of the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival. Set in a mansion in Manila in 1941 just before the Pacific War, Ang Larawan is a romantic family-themed musical with brilliant singing by world-renowned musical stars.

Rachel Alejandro as Paula and Joanna Ampil as Candida
Source: Ang Larawan official website

Joanna Ampil and Rachel Alejandro with Sandino Martin as Bitoy

The film follows the Marasigan sisters, Candida (Joanna Ampil) and Paulo (Rachel Alejandro) as they struggle living in poverty in their ancestral home with their reclusive artist father Don Lorenzo. Their siblings Manolo (Nonie Buencamino) and Pepang (Menchu Lauchengco) who both live luxuriously kept on convincing them to sell the house, but they always reject the idea. The last painting that their father finished before he got into his "accident" can save them from poverty, but the sisters don't want to give up their father's final masterpiece. They try to find ways of earning money, like renting out a room to a piano player at a local vaudeville, Tony Javier (Paulo Avelino) who also tries to convince them to sell the painting. The sisters struggle to resist all the temptations around them, hoping to keep their father's final masterpiece, maintaining their family legacy and tradition.

To start off, this is probably the most stunning local film production this year. From the sets to the costumes that they've utilized in the film, everything is top notch. They really took the time and effort in maintaining the period setting of the story, even to the most minute detail. Despite being situated in a single location, the house of the Marasigans, the setting never looked boring or tiring. The costumes are gorgeous, especially when the scene involves other characters. The overall look of the film is a visual feast to the eyes.

Menchu Lauchengco as Pepang and Nonie Buencamino as Manolo

Paulo Avelino as Tony Javier

Another thing that I liked about the film is it's beautiful soundtrack. I loved all the songs that they performed in the film, which were all composed by maestro Ryan Cayabyab and were rendered by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra. I loved the fact that unlike most musicals, the songs are not treated as musical numbers or set pieces. Instead, the dialogues were integrated/ blended with the music so that the introduction of the songs have a smooth flow, similar to Tom Hooper's 2012 adaptation of Les Misérables. I particularly loved the song number of the vivacious senator's wife Doña Loleng (Celeste Legaspi) upon her arrival at the house of the sisters, together with Conga Queen Elsa Montes (Zsa Zsa Padilla). It was one of the most fun and energetic performances in the film. 

Cara Manglapis as Patsy, Robert Arevalo as Don Perico, Celeste Legaspi as Donya Loleng

Aicelle Santos as Violet and Cris Villonco as Susan

The cast itself is enough reason to see the film. This is one of the best movie ensemble in a local production this year. With the likes of Cris Villonco as Susan, Aicelle Santos as Violet, Nonie Buencamino as Manolo, Menchu Lauchengco as Pepang, Robert Arevalo as Don Perico and Celeste Legaspi as Doña Loleng, the supporting cast is already packed with so much talent that fills up the screen. I especially loved Celeste Legaspi's fun portrayal of Doña Loleng. She lights up every scene whenever she's part of it. We also get to see Zsa Zsa Padilla and Ogie Alcasid in small yet fun roles in the film. I must say that I was really impressed seeing Sandino Martin and Paulo Avelino singing. It was my first time to see them sing and they were really good. Martin was really adorable in his portrayal of the Marasigan's family friend Bitoy Camacho. On the other hand, Avelino is perfect for the role of the charming but naughty Tony Javier. I don't know why but Paulo just look so good in every scene of the film, even during those moments when he's already beaten up. I guess that is one of his greatest assets: the camera loves just him.

Of course, the film belongs to Joanna Ampil and Rachel Alejandro. Their portrayal of Candida and Paula Marasigan were both amazing. One can really see their commitment to their roles. Each one of them were given their own moments to shine. For me, Joanna Ampil stood out during the part when her character was confessing something about her sister during the film's third act. On the other hand, Rachel Alejandro was able to showcase her talent during the scene when her character had a fight with Candida, leading to a sexy seduction scene with Tony Javier.

I have to admit. There were moments when I felt like the film could be a bit more than what it is now. There were production numbers that I think could have been bigger and more explosive in regards to the presentation. Something that can take the whole film into a much higher point. But given it's single location setting, the events are all contained in a smaller scale. It doesn't mean that the film isn't good though, because it sure is amazing as hell. But as a fan of musicals, I can't help but feel as if the movie needed something to push it into a more bombastic and extravagant. But then, we have to take the film as is. And no doubt that this is one of the best films of this year's film festival and is already running for the Best Picture award.

From it's rich visuals, outstanding music and bravura performances, Ang Larawan is a must-watch spectacle this Christmas. Pinoy musicals have never been this gloriously stunning and entrancing.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰  of 5

"Ang Larawan" (2017) Directed by Loy Arcenas, based on A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino by Nick Joaquin, starring Joanna Ampil Rachel Alejandro Paulo Avelino and Sandino Martin, with Nonie Buencamino, Menchu Lauchengco, Cris Villonco, Aicelle Santos, Robert Arevalo, and Celeste Legaspi.