The nation as family comedy

Film Reviews: Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat; Desperadas 2; Shake, Rattle & Roll X

At its core, the Tanging Ina franchise hinges on the deft interplay between Ina (Ai-Ai de las Alas) and Rowena (Eugene Domingo). They anticipate each other with comedic precision, and the chemistry between the two is, more often than not, a side-splitting joy to watch. In this year’s version, Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat, Star Cinema’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry, and directed by Wenn Deramas, the case may be made that the pair now deserve to be enshrined in some Philippine Comedy Hall of Fame. While Ai-Ai is obviously top dog, in the same manner that Dolphy and Panchito became such an institution without anyone losing sight of the premier position Dolphy played in the tandem, any project that teams up Ai-Ai and Eugene will always be considered something to anticipate with relish.

The film continues where the last installment ended, with unexpected twists and turns that make this one of the stronger storylines — for much of the film’s duration. Recently widowed (for the third time) when the film opens, the quick rundown of Ina’s 12 children is already cause for hilarity — referring to Heart Evangelista’s character, who now lives abroad (explaining her no-show for this film), the narration states that she joined the Global Missionaries of Asia (GMA), and that had the audience chuckling with knowing laughter. With children that range in ages from university students to little twin girls, Ina is still at it, trying to make ends meet, while supporting the family. Hilarious episodes abound, with her as stunt double, waitress in a carinderia, and applying with Rowena to be “governess” and “chambermaid” at Malacañang. From there, it’s a hop, skip, and jump that Ina endears herself to the president — played by Gloria Diaz, and uncovers an assassination plot spearheaded by the vice president. It doesn’t give too much of the plot away to say that at some point, said vice president challenges whistle-blower Ina to run against him in a snap election — and no “genius cap” for guessing who wins the election by a landslide.

Naturally, if already challenged in running her own family as a single mother, what would happen if her family now consists of the whole nation? All throughout the film, loaded topical jokes and asides are made about our peculiar Filipino political landscape, and if there is a point when the film flags, it would be the last half-hour or so, when the film drastically shifts from comedic gear to aspiring for high-family drama. Fortunately, this is just a blip on what is a consistently effective comedy vehicle. The political backdrop is also never turned into outright satire; rather, the script opts for more safe, broad comedy. Wenn handles the ensemble cast with aplomb, eliciting sympathetic portrayals from several of the children and minor characters, even when their actual on-screen time is minimal. If one is looking for family fare, a good dose of laughter and safe, mainstream entertainment, Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat is the ticket!

* * *

Mother Lily’s double-barreled Christmas treat

In these days of worldwide recession and spiraling economies, even Mother Lily and Regal Entertainment have adopted relative austerity measures, as this year’s MMFF finds only two entries from the indefatigable movie producer/“godmother” of our film industry. For Mother, it has always been a savvy blend of entertainment and recognition of box-office potential, and if this year’s entries as on the safe side, with films that are “franchise” properties — Shake, Rattle & Roll X and Desperadas 2 — one can’t argue with her continued support of the industry at a time when so many production companies of some years back have fallen by the wayside, and/or have diversified away from regular movie producing.

The Shake, Rattle & Roll juggernaut is now on its 10th version, and while it stays true to its structural format of three episodes in a film, this year finds Michael Tuviera helming two episodes as bookends, and Toppel Lee providing the middle chapter. Michael’s Emergency and Toppel’s Class Picture pretty much stick to formula, providing chills and thrills. Emergency topbills Roxanne Guinoo and JC de Vera as staff in a hospital’s Emergency Ward and the night descends to halimaw/zombie country as Mylene Dizon and Wendell Ramos wreak havoc on the community, as revenge for the death of the “child” Mylene was carrying to term. In Class Picture, it’s your campus horror/ghost story, with Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson heading a class that stays on campus overnight for a project, and gets enmeshed with the ghost of a deranged, sadistic nun (Jean Garcia).

It’s the third episode, Nieves, the Encanto Slayer, that makes the movie more than worth the price of admission. Tuviera takes the main character, portrayed by Marian Rivera, to an altogether unexpected, and delightful, direction. It’s done in a campy, humorous vein and I could see the audience literally lapping up the shift in direction. It may not be “scary, scary” or horrific, but if entertainment and leaving the theater remembering what one has watched is indicative of the success of a film, Nieves certainly provides that for the film. Marian is perfectly suited for this role and I wouldn’t be surprised if a full-length feature of this character is next on Regal’s drawing board — Nieves’ Aklan Chronicles? It is delightful film-making within the context of Philippine folklore and superstition, and it works precisely because it’s done tongue-in-cheek.

Desperadas 2 brings back the original cast of characters, with the wrinkle of Ogie Alcasid playing a newly-discovered half-sister, LugaLuda. The result of a torrid night that the girls’ mother (Nova Villa) had with an African prince, the audience certainly perked up when LugaLuda shows up in the film. A vast number of set-pieces and scenarios are stitched together to bring us up to speed with the lives of our four heroines — Patricia (Rufa Mae Quinto), Isabella (Ruffa Gutierrez), Steph (Iza Calzado) and Courtney (Marian Rivera). One major thread is that of Steph going all praning and obsessive about the supposed philandering of her husband, thanks to post-partum depression. And then there’s Isabella getting enmeshed in a dubious business, while Patricia is courted by a congressman (Christian Vasquez) who takes every cliche to town with humorous results. This is a worthy successor to the first film, my only regret being how the film ends rather abruptly.

Other than the introduction of LugaLuda in Desperadas 2, and the surprise direction of Shake’s third episode, there are no real surprises in the two films, but it is precisely these two new elements that make the film treatments relatively fresh and wonderfully entertaining. In this season of restrained cheer, one is thankful for how these movies (and the MMFF) have now become so much a part of our Christmas holidays. It’s Mother’s and Roselle’s double-aguinaldo, and we can be thankful.