It's tricky and unconventional story makes this MMFF dramedy a stand-out against the rest of this year's film fest entries.
Based on Eric Cabahug's award-winning screenplay (second place, Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature 2016), this out-of-this-world musical dramedy is sure to give this year's MMFF a different taste. Directed by Julius Alfonso and produced under T-Rex Productions, Deadma Walking stars Edgar Allan Guzman and Joross Gamboa as two gay bestfriends who fakes the latter's own death to attend his own wake to hear his friends views on him. The film also stars Candy Pangilinan, Nico Antonio, Dimples Romana, Gerald Anderson and Vin Abrenica in supporting roles and is an official entry to the 43rd Metro Manila Film Festival.
John Samson (Joross Gamboa) and Mark (Edgar Allan Guzman) are two gay best friends- John is a successful businessman while Mark is a sales agent and a part time theater actor. John soon discover that he is ill, and has only a year or two to live. Because of this, he comes up with a plan and asks his best friend to help him: they will fake his own death so that he can attend his own wake to hear his friends and other people's views on him. Everything turns out okay, until his estranged sister, Mary (Dimples Romana) who had misunderstandings with her brother John as she was not able to go home when their mother died, comes home only to see the wake for her brother. Tensions arise as more people from John's past comes back to pay their respects for him. Secrets will be revealed. Relationships will be tested. Can they complete their mission to create the grandest and most fabulous (fake) funeral the world is yet to see?
At first, Deadma Walking's central plot may turn off viewers, especially to those people who are accustomed to the regular holiday themed comedies of the Metro Manila Film Festival. It's story revolves around death, or to be specific, about a man who is waiting for his own death. It's theme is very dark and off-putting for a film that is shown during the Christmas season. But it's unusual and unconventional story is what makes this musical dramedy stand-out among the rest of this year's film fest entries. And although it is being compared to 2016's Die Beautiful, I actually enjoyed and liked Deadma Walking more than the other.
Death is a very tricky subject, and when it's not done the right way, everything will turn awkward and uninviting to the film's viewers. Luckily, director Julius Alfonso managed to handle the material very well because everything turned out good. He was able to put enough balance of everything in the film. There's enough humor to entertain audiences. There's lots of drama to keep the audience engaged. There's also a bit of musical performances, adding more color and energy to this film. To it's credit, the musical scenes are really well done. Although Ang Larawan is still the best musical of the festival, Deadma Walking has the better song and dance opening sequence.
Regarding the film's humor, I must commend Eric Cabahug's screenplay. It's witty and full of laugh-out-loud jokes, particularly the ones thrown by Mark's character. Some of the jokes maybe hit-or-miss, but most of them were really funny. As for the dramatic aspect of the film, they were actually good. The way they handled the relationship between John and Mary was great, and they were able to make the audiences sympathize with them. And of course, the story of John and Mark's friendship is truly heartfelt and will pinch your heart. Everything was good in the film, except for the twist in the film's finale which I felt was done in haste. I think it could have been executed in a better fashion since it concerns one of the main characters. But in the end, what matters is that it was able to relay the context of the twist and move the story forward.
The film's cast is also one of the main reasons why this film works. Candy Pangilinan was really fun to watch despite the supporting role. Nico Antonio and Bobby Andrews were also great additions to the cast. It was really funny to see Gerlad Anderson and Vin Abrenica in this movie, as it was quite unusual to see them in mainstream projects that tackles homosexual themes like this. Dimples Romana was really outstanding as John's brother, Mary. She's definitely one of the most underrated actresses of this country. But despite getting just supporting roles, she manages to wow everyone with her heart-wrenching performance in this movie. The star-studded cameos were a delight to watch, from Eugene Domingo, Piolo Pascual, Sue Ramirez (although I'm not sure what exactly her purpose was), Jason Abalos, Matt Evans, and many more. But the most insane and probably the best and most unforgettable cameo was from Iza Calzado. I was laughing hysterically with her unexpected appearance in this movie (I knew she was in the film based on the trailer, but I did not expected how her cameo would be like).
But above all, this is Joross Gamboa and Edgar Allan Guzman's movie, and they definitely owned it. Joross Gamboa deserves praise for his committed performance as John. He nailed the character with flying (rainbow) colors. His best moment would be those with Dimples Romana, and this one particular scene in the film's ending as he was lying alone in a cemetery. Edgar Allan Guzman's award-winning portrayal of Mark is truly outstanding. He definitely deserves the (Best Actor, NOT just the Best Supporting Actor) acting award, no doubt about it.
So if you are looking for something unique from this year's Metro Manila Film Festival, this movie is for you. Deadma Walking is a unique, funny, witty and at times heartwarming surprise from this year's festival. Watch it, and give your MMFF experience a different flavor.
Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰ of 5
"Deadma Walking" (2017) Directed by Julius Alfonso, starring Edgar Allan Guzman and Joross Gamboa with Candy Pangilinan, Nico Antonio, Dimples Romana, Gerald Anderson and Vin Abrenica, produced under T-Rex Productions. An official entry to the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival.
We're just days away from the biggest film festival of the country, the Metro Manila Film Festival. Organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the festival is now on it's 43rd year. The first four film entries of the festival were announced on June 30, 2017 by using the script submission method while the last four official entries were announced on November 17, 2017, completing the Magic 8. So before the festival kicks in, here's my pre-festival thoughts on the 8 entries of this year's Metro Manila Film Festival.
All of You (Romance, Comedy). Starring Jennylyn Mercado, Derek Ramsay; produced by Quantum Films, MJM Productions; directed by Dan Villegas. Three years after their first project together as a loveteam (English Only, Please, 2014), Jennylyn Mercado and Derek Ramsay are back to bring kilig to audiences this Christmas with their latest entry, under the helm of box-office director Dan Villegas (How to be Yours, Always be my Maybe). I loved English Only, Please and I'm a big fan of director Dan, plus I am also a follower of Jennylyn Mercado's recent romance flicks so this film is definitely on my list. The trailer of the film beings back all the EOP feels three years ago and I am looking forward to what their latest team-up movie has to offer.
Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad (Action, Comedy). Starring Vice Ganda, Daniel Padilla, Pia Wurtzbach; produced by Star Cinema, Viva Films; directed by Joyce Bernal. So apparently, the organizers of this year's MMFF reintroduced the controversial "commercial appeal/viability" which was previously criticized because it was alleged that the reintroduction of these old rules was made to to prioritize box-office success over quality films and to accommodate the big mainstream studios that were mostly left out last year. And so obviously, the past MMFF's box-office winners are also back on the scene, led by Vice Ganda. I don't have anything against him. To be honest, I loved his past films with Wenn Deramas (Sisterakas in 2012 and Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy in 2013 are two of my most favorite Filipino films of all time). But his other films these past couple of years were a bit disappointing. Despite that, it's been a tradition of mine to watch his film every MMFF so I am still looking forward to this one (especially because of Pia Wurtzbach).
Meant to Beh (Family, Comedy) starring Vic Sotto, Dawn Zulueta with JC Santos, Daniel Matsunaga, Sue Ramirez, Gabbi Garcia, Ruru Madrid, Andrea Torres and Baby Baste; produced by OctoArts Films, M-Zet Productions, APT Entertainment; directed by Chris Martinez. I'm gonna be honest with you- I'm not a fan of Vic Sotto. I guess the kind of comedy he's making is just not my type. But with very talented actors and actresses like JC Santos, Sue Ramirez and Ms. Dawn Zulueta in the cast, I am very willing to open my arms to embrace this one and give it a shot.
Ang Panday (Action, Fantasy) starring Coco Martin; produced by CCM Productions, Star Cinema, Viva Films; directed by Rodel Nacianceno. A reboot of the classic adventure featuring the late Fernando Poe Jr., this fantasy flick is helmed by Coco Martin himself, marking his directorial debut. And with his experience of working with the country's renowned directors before like Brillante Mendoza, I am curious as to how his first project as a director would be like. Plus, my mom has already made up her mind to watch this film with the whole family on Christmas Day, so it's definitely on my list.
Deadma Walking (Comedy, Drama, Musical) starring Joross Gamboa, Edgar Allan Guzman; produced by T-Rex Entertainment; directed by Julius Alfonso. Aside from the entries of Vice Ganda, Vic Sotto and Coco Martin, this musical dramedy is one of the film fest entries that has been making a hype on social media with it's out-of-this-world story. The concept of the film: a terminally ill gay man decides to fakes his own death to attend his own wake to hear his friend's views on him. Based on the acclaimed screenplay (Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature 2016 second prize winner), the film is one of my top contenders for the festival's Best Picture category. This one's actually on the top of my list of films to see this Christmas.
Haunted Forest (Horror, Thriller) starring Jane Oineza, Jameson Blake, Maris Racal and Jon Lucas; produced by Regal Entertainment; directed by Ian Loreños. Being a big fan of horror movies, this one's definitely on my list. This year's horror movie princess Jane Oineza (of Bloody Crayons) lead the cast of this upcoming horror film from Regal films. I'm not sure if this is a sort-of thematic sequel to 2015's Haunted Mansion but based on the trailer, this movie looks very promising. Aside from Jane Oineza, we also get to see Jameson Blake in his first foray into horror. Plus, we also get to watch Maris Racal and Jon Lucas in their first movie together.
Siargao (Romance, Drama) starring Jericho Rosales, Erich Gonzales, Jasmine Curtis-Smith; produced by Ten17 Productions; directed by Paul Soriano. A romantic drama set in the surfing island of Siargao is defintely the perfect movie to heat up everyone's Christmas. I've seen Paul Soriano's work before (Kid Kulafu) and I must say that he is pretty impressive. It's also great to see Jericho Rosales back on the big screen, plus he is joined by two of the most talented actresses of the country, Erich Gonzales and Jasmin Curtis. This movie kinda gives me the Apocalypse Child feels and I'd love to give it a try.
Ang Larawan (Musical) Starring Rachel Alejandro, Paulo Avelino, Joanna Ampil; produced by Culturtain Musicat Productions; directed by Loy Arcenas. An adaptation of Nick Joaquin’s revered play “A Portrait of the Artist as a Filipino." One of my most anticipated films in the festival, Ang Larawan had it's debut last October in Japan as part of the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival. It has received rave reviews since then, with Variety critic Richard Kuipers calling it "a handsomely produced big-screen adaptation"... "impeccably performed and crisply photographed"... and "clearly made with the utmost love and care". This is another one of my top contenders for this year's Best Picture. From it's powerful cast (a crooning Paulo Avelino, anyone?) to it's rich technical detail and fabulous musical numbers, Ang Larawan is definitely the festival's must see.
So, which movie are you planning to watch this Christmas? What's your top pick for this year's Metro Manila Film Festival? Share your thoughts and leave a comment down below!
