Truly a magnificent film. Bravo, Magnifico!

After those mostly well-crafted entries at the recent Metro Manila Film Festival, things seem to be looking even brighter for the local motion picture industry (in spite of the 10 percent VAT that looms ahead) with the forthcoming exhibition of really wonderful movie – Violett Films’ Magnifico, directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes.

Winner of the first prize in a Film Development Foundation-sponsored screenwriting contest some years back, the material of Magnifico by Filipino-Japanese writer Michiko Yamamoto was really just lying around gathering dust – with no producer wanting to touch it because it had neither sex nor violence.

Now that it has been made into a film by new producer Madame Violet Sevilla, the conservative sector who keep complaining about too much sex and violence in local movies better support Magnifico. It’s a film that shows neither blood nor skin, but offers a lot, lot more in terms of entertainment.

Set in the sleepy town of Lumban in Laguna, Magnifico is the story of a young boy named Magnifico (Jiro Manio) who touches the lives of the family members and the people in his community. Even at a young age, he has taken it upon himself to provide solutions to the numerous problems of the people around him. At home, his impoverished parents – Albert Martinez and Lorna Tolentino – are burdened by a child (Isabella de Leon), grandmother, played by Gloria Romero. Their only hope to rise above their financial woes – eldest son Danilo Barrios – even drops out of school for losing his scholarship to a university in Manila.

Outside of the family, he also reaches out to their neighbors – including this cantankerous old woman (played by Celia Rodriguez) who has turned her back on the world and has taken to living all by herself in the cemetery.

I will no longer describe in detail how the boy’s innate goodness affects and changes for the better the lives of the characters in the movie. But you are well-advised to bring a large handkerchief or a big box of tissue with you when you watch Magnifico because this is one film that will overwork your lachrymal glands. Practically every scene here is guaranteed to melt even the hardest and coldest of hearts.

But what is beautiful about Magnifico is that it moves you to tears without the movie resorting to cheap tricks often used by melodramas. The characters here don’t slap one another and recite convoluted dialogues to draw out tears from viewers. Tears just flow maybe because your faith in humanity is restored as you see the outpouring of kindness from the various characters in the movie.

In fact, whoever was in charge of the music of Magnifico should not have drowned the dramatic scenes of this film with too much mushy musical scoring. The scenes – as staged by Maryo J. de los Reyes – could have been more effective had these not been allowed to soak in music swimming in mawkish sentimentality.

And then, there’s this little problem about the cinematography being a little bit too bright. There’s even this one scene showing a handwritten note by Magnifico that the viewers can’t read even up close.

Fortunately, the film’s good points far outweigh these little technical lapses. For instance, there are the brilliant performances of the cast members to be savored – like the excellent portrayal of Lorna Tolentino of a problematic mother who seems to be carrying the burdens of the world on her shoulders. Although she looks too mestiza for the role, she still comes out credible mainly because her exceptional acting talent affords her to transcend the physical requirements of the character she is playing in the film. This is indeed a testimony to her brilliance as a screen performer.

In the case of Albert Martinez, my faith in him as an actor is restored in this movie as he essays at last a non-heel role. After seeing him play rascal in practically all his films – Segurista to last year’s Laman, it’s a relief to watch him play a good and responsible father for a change. And what inspired performance he delivers here in Magnifico!

Cast as the dying grandmother, Gloria Romero – as always – is marvelous. You can actually feel the fame she is suffering as a cancer victim who is also afflicted with diabetes. Your heart goes out to her because she is old, helpless and almost penniless.

Celia Rodriguez – another seasoned performer proves her versatility as she tackles the part of the social outcast who opts to live in the cemetery. The gifted actress that she is, she still comes out very effective even in a non-glamorous role.

Jiro Manio – in the title role of Magnifico – once more delivers a wonderful performance that delights the moviegoers. This boy actually has never given a bad performance in any of his films. He has always been very good in all of his movies – from La Vida Rosa (as the bastard son of Rosanna Roces), Bagong Buwan and especially here in Magnifico.

Two other kids also do very well here in Magnifico: Isabella de Leon as the child afflicted with cerebral palsy and Joseph Robles as Magnifico’s best friend.

Actually, all the actors deliver a wonderful job in the film. Mark Gil as the bus driver grieving over the death of his mother, Amy Austria as the tramp with the golden heart, Tonton Gutierrez as the town’s most successful businessman, Cherry Pie Picache as the gossipy sari-sari store owner and even Susan Africa in a short role as the mother of child star Joseph Robles. Girlie Sevilla – as the girlfriend of Danilo Barrios – also gives an impressive debut performance.

The performances of these actors help turn Magnifico into what would be the year’s best picture – although it’s still quite early to tell since we’re just in the beginning of 2003.

However, it’s safe enough for me to say that it is going to be a front-liner in next year’s awards derbies. Magnifico is truly a magnificent film. It sure lives up to its title, Magnifico.

Bravo, Magnifico!