Of course, many people, especially here in the Philippines, would think that the incest and the abuse part should have been removed. I'm glad it didn't happen. I mean, what would be left of the story? Intentional or not, the film challenges the stereotypical belief that if there was sexual intercourse between a man and his daughter, it can only mean one thing; that he forced her. That it's totally impossible for the daughter to be the one to initiate it.
Some may find Maricel Soriano's acting to be a bit over-the-top, but I guess it suited her character, being the first-born deprived of many things, including her father's love she so craved for. And let's not forget that she too went nuts in the end. Armida Siguion-Reyna was excellent as their Christian-fanatic-turned-mentally retarded mother. Tirso Cruz III was commanding as Soriano's unloving husband. Snooky Serna wasn't weak as the younger sister, but over-powered by Soriano -- which is good otherwise the film itself would have been over-the-top. And she was actually good at making her character look paranoid most of the time but without exaggerating the whole thing. I can't say the same for Eric Quizon though. It's as if he's just there to remind Serna's character of her weak points.
This film is not for the easily-disturbed. That's one way to look at it -- a movie about incestuous desires. Another is to see it from the characters' point of view and to consider all the factors.
It would definitely be a lot easier for most people to handle if Maricel Soriano's character didn't desire her father. If it turned out to be just another movie about a girl who was abused by her father and sent him to jail for it. It isn't. You've been warned. kind of thing. But it isn't. You've been warned.
Some may find Maricel Soriano's acting to be a bit over-the-top, but I guess it suited her character, being the first-born deprived of many things, including her father's love she so craved for. And let's not forget that she too went nuts in the end. Armida Siguion-Reyna was excellent as their Christian-fanatic-turned-mentally retarded mother. Tirso Cruz III was commanding as Soriano's unloving husband. Snooky Serna wasn't weak as the younger sister, but over-powered by Soriano -- which is good otherwise the film itself would have been over-the-top. And she was actually good at making her character look paranoid most of the time but without exaggerating the whole thing. I can't say the same for Eric Quizon though. It's as if he's just there to remind Serna's character of her weak points.
This film is not for the easily-disturbed. That's one way to look at it -- a movie about incestuous desires. Another is to see it from the characters' point of view and to consider all the factors.
It would definitely be a lot easier for most people to handle if Maricel Soriano's character didn't desire her father. If it turned out to be just another movie about a girl who was abused by her father and sent him to jail for it. It isn't. You've been warned. kind of thing. But it isn't. You've been warned.
