All the emotions in this film would definitely pierce through your heart.
Tuhog, a Filipino word for skewer, as a whole, is comprised of three individual stories of three different people, whom by chance are literally connected with one another due to a freak accident which causes a pole to impale through them, much to the difficulty of the doctors. The doctors can only save two of them since there are only two available operating rooms in the hospital. The movie then goes through a series of flashbacks showing the story of each characters and how they ended up in their unfortunate situation.
The first character is Tonio (Leo Martinez). He is an old retired man who dreams of becoming a baker. His family is skeptic about this dream of his because he does not know anything about baking and business. However, Tonio is determined to fulfill his dream despite the negativity.
Fiesta (Eugene Domingo) is a bus conductor whose life has always been about taking care of his demented father which resulted to her grumpiness and feisty attitude which drives away men around her. One day, she meets the new bus driver, Nato (Jake Cuenca) whom she eventually learns to love and vice versa. When everything seems to be going well, Fiesta soon finds out Nato's secret which ruins their relationship.
Lasty, Caloy (Enchong Dee) is a college student who is having a hard time keeping a long distance relationship work with his girlfriend Angel (Empress). Both promised to preserve their virginity to one another until they meet again but the distance between them proves to be quite a challenge for both parties to remain faithful to one another.
Skylight Films, the sort-of indie version of Star Cinema, decides to release an indie type film through mainstream means. This thought alone would already draw skepticism; would it go for the full indie film or would it have a hint of commercialism here and there? How about both? Nevertheless, Tuhog manages to capture the audience's heart in this emotion and theme driven film that shows a deeper side of man, the side which shows man in search for meaning and purpose in his life.
The most memorable story out of the three would have to be that of Eugene Domingo or the story of Fiesta primarily because of the depth of the story plus the acting skill of Eugene Domingo. Though memorable, it is far from flawless. There were plot holes in the decisions the characters made that hoped to have gone unnoticed with the help of acting delivery but it did not help. An example would have to be the Fiesta suddenly deciding to share her life story to Nato. If she was as hardcore as the premise established her to be, she would not have easily shared to anyone such personal information especially if they barely knew each other. Another example would have to be the sudden love affair between Nato and Fiesta which seemed to have come out of nowhere. Though we see it coming, there was not a proper build-up about it. However, if I'm gonna be all romantic, I would just like to believe that this can be a good example of how love can be very unpredictable.
In terms of story that everyone can probably relate to, it would have to be Leo Martinez or Tonio. It showed the typical Filipino family and their values which are constantly challenged such as being family-oriented, having a sense of gratitude and even patriarchy. Leo Martinez is able to give life to his character and he is able to send a serious message across the audience despite using comedy as a medium. Though Eugene's story is more memorable, Martinez' story is my personal favorite. One scene that definitely struck me was when he was doing a monologue about his life when all he did was to support his children's dreams yet they couldn't even support him now for his single plea. This part is ageless since it can cater to sons and daughters, wives, husbands and especially the elderly.
Enchong or Caloy's story on the other hand is the lightest of the three. It uses a very young approach and more comedic than the rest. This part is definitely funny and entertaining but I can't help but feel that this is where it becomes commercial. Technically speaking, this is another love story starring high profile actors in order to bring in audience. Probably even the reason why they showed this part last. A typical love story which happens to have more sex jokes which eventually receives a rating of R-13 and then voila! You have an indie film.
Overall it was a good film. I was satisfied except for the end where I felt like I was cheated to a happy ending. Before getting impaled by the pole, each of the characters were in the worst stage of their dilemmas and the moment they got out the hospital, all their problems just miraculously came to a resolution. I understand that they just came from a near death experience and all problems can be forgotten but it felt too abrupt. Other than that, the narration by the end could have been taken out since it became too preachy already. It should have left the viewers to think on their own rather than feeding them the point of the movie. One last random and unimportant thing, I don't like how I felt like it was indirectly telling the audience to be kind to kid beggars on the streets. Watch it and you'll know what I'm talking about.
Rating: 3/5
Time goes by so fast.
Nine years after Jesse and Celine met on the train in Vienna, they meet again in France during Jesse's book tour in the area. They stroll around France and catch up before Jesse will leave again for a plane back to America.
After a failed tryst in the past, two people cross paths once again but this time, with a nine year gap between the two of them. The movie is very exciting and nerve-wracking. You wouldn't know what happened and you would only understand as the movie progresses. A romantic film that keeps you at the edge of your seat is something worth noting.
The movie, just like its predecessor, is Jesse and Celine walking through the streets of France, catching up with all the things they missed with one another. Director Richard Linklater makes use of long takes just like the predecessor. Such skills are really remarkable for both the director and the actors themselves. Imagine having to deliver numerous lines for 7 minutes straight without interruption and mistakes while walking through the streets of Paris. But of course, it probably helped since Hawke and Delphy helped in writing the screenplay this time so they know what to say and how to say it.
If the first film did not have character development, Before Sunset offers a lot of it. The movie aims to take place on real time. Nine years have passed since Before Sunrise was released so it seems proper that nine years passed as well in the world of Jesse and Celine. Each of their character's development is very well-crafted and well-written. Their conversations are more mature and the way they see ideas and philosophies are more profound compared to their younger selves.
With nine years of difference between the two of them, the conversation and screenplay would be difficult I imagine but the product from this movie was a success. The way they talk to one another first is that of a friend meeting another friend after not seeing each other after a long time. They catch up on small and trivial things such as their jobs, hobbies, and whatever easy things they can talk about. As the movie goes on, the conversation gets deeper and more revealing. The emotion that was bottled up for nine years are slowly revealed and they start to say what they really feel after that encounter in the train nine years ago.
Aside from love and reunion, the film talks about the irony of life. In the nine years that the two of them were apart, they managed to get the things that they needed. They were able to build a name for themselves, they have a stable job, so on and so forth, yet they did not have each other. Having those things were always never enough, none of them mattered when the other one was not with them.
The film ends in a very hopeful note. That much I can tell you.
Rating: 5/5
If only it was this easy to meet a girl.
In the summer of 1994, Jesse Wallace, an American, is on a train going to Vienna to catch a cheap flight back to the United States. It is in this train where he meets the beautiful Celine, a French girl on her way back to France. They talk for a while and when the train stops at Vienna, Jesse boldly asks Celine if she would accompany him for a while before he leaves for the US. The rest of the movie was on the shoulder of Celine's decision if she would go or not. Thankfully, she chose the former.
I am not really a fan of romantic films and if given the choice between a horror or romantic film, I would choose the former. So the fact that I enjoyed this movie and giving it a positive review means it's beyond good. What makes this movie very interesting and romantic is the fact that it doesn't try hard to please you. There are no dramatic deaths or crying or slapping each other in the face. The film basically revolves around a man and a woman, strolling on the streets of Venice from mid-afternoon until dawn, talking about their life and perspectives about different things, and it definitely works!
Watching the movie feels like more than like you're spying on a couple, rather it feels like as if you're watching a documentary on how a couple goes on their first date. How they act with each other, what they talk about and the simple and little things they do when the other is not watching. The movie is very realistic and honest. It doesn't rush things the way blockbuster films do.
Ironically, these couple are not even extraordinary. Moreover, as much as Vienna is beautiful, the movie made it look so mundane. What kept this movie alive is their conversation. The script. As you read this, you might be thinking of your other half or even glancing at a couple across your table and wondering what they might be talking about. What make the two beyond ordinary is the things they talk about, the insights and opinions of many different things. They would agree on some but they would mostly disagree with one another but it's still romantic. Their philosophical conversation brings color to the mundane world they live in.
Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are superb actors in this film. The way they deliver their lines and how smoothly it all goes deserve an applause. This type of movie would fail miserably if the actors are not capable. The characters they portray are very lovable and memorable. Each has a distinct personality of their own and makes sure that one does not overpower the other. Instead of character development, there is The movie has great characterization. The movie does not offer character development since it would be difficult to develop a character in the span of less than a day. So what this movie does is it gives the audience a chance to get to know the character more. There is character depth. The characters are 3-dimensional and not some paper thin character you see in some movies.
Before Sunrise is a film not only about love, but about the human person and the world he lives in. It's a movie about hope, dreams, living the moment and the uncertainty of the future.
Rating: 4.5/5
