Movie Review: In the Name of Love

Celebrating Star Cinema’s 18th anniversary this year, a movie offering titled “In the Name of Love” hits the Philippine big screen. Directed by Olivia Lamasan, the story is one of those romantic-tragic types that play with the audience’s feelings, revive one's repressed emotions, and capture every sympathy from the audience in the most unique ways possible.

It’s a rare occasion when I would say that a Filipino movie met my expectations. But it’s another thing when I say that a film exceeded my expectations. This movie, being from the later, was a huge breather from the usual Pinoy movies. 

The story was very profound and heart breaking which was told with an equally convincing screenplay. For one, it’s not one of those films that from the very beginning the conclusion would be so obvious you just have to wait until it shows up in the screenplay. Rather, it tells the story from an unconventional viewpoint through its non-linear story presentation that keeps the viewers thinking and glued while the story reveals itself part by part, scene by scene.

There were many wonderful performances from the cast, particularly from the stars. Angel Locsin who plays Cedes showed her versatility and depth as an actress shifting her role from a dancer in Japan to a sophisticated and matured soon-to-be wife of a soon-to-be politician (Jake Cuenca). She was exceptionally good on the scenes in Japan where she follows Aga Mulach (Emman) around. I was like seeing an anime character come to life with her bubbly actions and spirit.

The dancing parts of the movie, which I think are very refreshing from the usual all lines plot, reminded me of the movie “Black Swan”. In this movie, we see Cedes and her major lifestyle overhaul similar to the white swan-black swan transitions of Natalie Portman, this must be the Black Swan of Philippine cinema! 

An interesting observation is that the dances follow the plot of the story. In the earlier part of the story where Aga one again cross paths with Angel in the Philippines, we can see the evasive and stiff elements as they dance the tango. In the latter parts we see the sensual and smooth dance of the characters as their forgotten love story reignites. A heart breaking scene to watch out for was seen near the end where Aga guides Angel from her back as she dances with her fiancé, Jake Cuenca. After a few seconds, we see Aga let go of Angel and decides to watch the couple from the distance. Was that a metaphor? 

Aga Mulach (Emman) played his role efficiently as an OFW working in Japan who later gets gets imprisoned for 7 years due to charges for money laundering. The scene where he dances with a mannequin is again one of those metaphors that really struck me, it was like a cry of desolation and loss. He looked particularly awkward when he danced alone in his studio, or maybe I wasn’t just used to seeing a dancing Aga. 

Although Aga Mulach looks more mature in the film, it actually complements his role unlike those of other films that force love teams despite a wide age gap between the actors. The result? A hideous, barf inducing, mix-matched love team.

The scene transitions where artistically done, especially the one when Angel goes on a monologue about her hardships to free Aga from prison. 

Another thing I liked about this movie is its social relevance. We see the ill effects of a corrupt government, fathers leaving the country to work abroad as OFW, family disintegration, sexism, and the Filipino’s resiliency. This movie reflects the struggles, making it both realistic and timely.

I would usually think that the people you see on TV commercials screaming “No.1! No.1!” or those blurting out their testimonies in front of the camera such as “Sobrang nakakakiliiiggg si blank and blank!” are all overrated and are just some PR strategy to hype up the sales. But in this movie, I figure that the comments are mostly understatements.

I wonder if it would be possible for the next mainstream movies to follow and have the same standard as this movie. There are a lot of stories still yet to be told in many different ways, why do film makers resort to the over-used and age old formula?

In the Name of Love was a breather. Let’s have more of these movies please.

Photo from www.rodmagaru.com