As others have said, this is an interesting peek into another culture - albeit I would think a peculiar exception! 12 year old Maximo Oliveros is playing the role of mother, since his/theirs is deceased, to the other children in his crime ridden barrio family. I saw this a while ago; I distinctly remember other boys wearing lipstick and skirts also or maybe it confused me because it was completely acceptable in the entire community Maximo lived in for him to dress and act swishy with no explanation whatsoever. It was also odd that this child formed a romantic entanglement/friendship with a 25 or 30 year old policeman and his family wasn't concerned about the age difference; only that they might get busted for their criminal activities. I wrote a review for the big red envelope and 3/4 found it not helpful which confused me until I realized this is an art film for people who like such things. I thought it was a story with some broader Gay interest but it isn't and it is unclear Maximo is even Gay nor does it ultimately seem to matter except: As another reviewer wrote - how tolerant is this film since at the end he has shed his feminine clothes, hairstyle and mannerisms and is going to school, which he wasn't before, in ordinary uniform? E.G.: has he discovered it is better to be straight? Straight acting? I give this some points because it was cleverly done and the makers did a good enough job with the characters that you want to find out what happens to them. But it is not something I want to see again. It is just too peculiar.
Review of Ang pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros
