|
Jose Javier Reyes' entry for the Manila Film Festival boasts of award-winning actors and
promising new ones. Sugatang Puso
stars Lorna Tolentino as widowed Celine who has a 15-year-old son Sonny (Carlo Aquino). She marries Noel (Christopher de Leon), who also has a son, 17-year-old Eric (Patrick Garcia), with Miriam (Cherie Gil). After suffering physical and emotional abuses from his mother's boyfriend, Noel takes Eric into his care who is welcomed by his new family: Celine and Sonny. All is well until an accident happens which turns Celine's world upside down.
Sugatang Puso is
an above average film. It is a simple narrative that keeps to the basics of the story.
The acting is very good, particularly that of Cherie Gilm as the tired and dysfunctional mother, of Lorna Tolentino as the understanding and loving mother, and to some extent, that of Patrick Garcia as the disturbed and problematic teenager. Christopher de Leon's limited supporting role does not give him enough material to express his ability. Carlo Aquino shows some promise. A tighter editing could have made the film more effective and touching. Other than that, the technical aspects complement one another to produce a quietly entertaining production, but not so moving, production.
The movie offers a number of valuable insights. One is the Filipino's love for
children. This is idealized by Celine who life has been devoted to Sonny until she marries Noel.
Though far from the perfect mother, having been recalcitrant in her duties to Eric because of her messy and questionable life, Miriam still comes as one who truly loves her son by the way she worries over and speaks of him.
Second, it shows the instinctive normal reactions of a mother who looks for someone to blame
for losing a child, to assuage her pain and desolation.
Lastly, Sugatang Puso allows us to see the vulnerability of a teenager to the difficult
circumstances he face.
Patrick Garcia effectively shows how internal and external conflicts tear him apart. This can help parents gain inside on how to deal with their teenage sons and daughters.
The presence of incidents of violence and vulgar language makes CINEMA rate this film for
viewers 14 years old and above.
(Date reviewed: January 3, 2001)
|
