MOVIE REVIEW: IN MY LIFE

As expected, this is another addition to quality and blockbuster movies of Star Cinema. The movie touches base on maternal relationship of Shirley (Vilma) to Mark (Luis) and to her other two daughters. The film also succeeded in awakening the Filipino viewers on gay relationships as it featured Mark's love story with Noel (John Lloyd) though this is not the core attraction of the movie as seen in the promotion.

More than the commercial value of the film, the story enlighten moviegoers on how to accept life realities...that everything has a time to move on. In the story, Shirley raised her three children alone after she was abandoned and left by her husband. Throughout her journey which was implied only, though she was responsible, she became an emotion free mother and this caused relationships to grow distant particularly to Mark who now lives in New York. It tells us that raising a family doesn't only mean attending to the needs of the children but being there emotionally.

When Shirley moved in to New York, she was surprised by her son's relationship to Noel. At first, she distances away from Noel but eventually, she witnessed the good heart in Noel and the true love Noel and Mark has for each other. The conflict started when she found out that both men kept the secret of Mark's sickness (cancer) from her...

Judging by how the viewers reacted to every scene in the movie, I can say that the film has triumphed both on its story and its actors. This is not as a heavy family drama as ANAK (my favourite) but it is equally good. I agree that Luis Manzano has shown his acting prowess and deserves being the son of Vilma Santos. As usual, one could not expect anything less from the Star for All Seasons. Vilma was able to internalise the character of Shirley, though this is not Vilma at her best. As for John Lloyd, he really is a brilliant actor. His confrontation scene with Vilma is fantastic! To have an acting scene with Vilma, that already is thrilling but both John Lloyd and Luis passed with flying colors. However, I still feel John Lloyd's character in 'One more chance' as he made me cry on that film than here.

Removing the drama ingredient of this movie, one will surely be amazed on the City of New York and how filipinos basically live there, how they struggle and go on with their daily lives.

Casting wise, I just felt that the addition of too many non-important characters in the movie doesn't help at all, one or two is enough. Also, using the girl (I forgot the name) who is madly in love with Noel, I think it is not humanly right. Why? First, they used someone whose physical is not so fortunate which only cause laughs and insults. Second, it impacts the status of Filipinos abroad less respectful that in order to get the US citizenship, they have to marry someone they don't love (too bad on this case, the example is obviously insulting).

So, the question is, should you pay a hundred and forty for this movie? Of course yes! Watching it on the big screen is still different from the boob tube you have in your homes.

Credits to Roxanne Pablo who shared her views on this film.