Antonio's Secret (2008) User Reviews

An interesting look at adolescence and sexuality.

[akash_sebastian · 7/10 · 10 May 2015]

'Ang Lihim Ni Antonio' (Antonio's Secret) deals with the sexual curiosities and explorations of an teenage boy, who is just coming to terms with his sexuality. It gives us an interesting glimpse into what goes on in his mind, as well as what his mother and and close friend think about it.

The story is well-structured and focused. The hand-held camera movement really makes us a part of Antonio's life, and makes the sex scenes appear so real. The movie has few of the most erotic and well-shot sex scenes involving adolescent homosexuality; they not only seem so genuine and real, they are acted with such finesse that we almost feel guilty to be witnessing their private moments.

Except the stabbing scene (which isn't believably carried out), all scenes are well-acted, especially the rape scene.

The mother's character is well-explored as well, and Shamaine Buencamino gives a commendable performance. The conversations between Antonio and his friend, and Antonio and his mother are quite interesting.

Overall, the film gives us an interesting look at adolescence and sexuality.

Good film but intense ending

[Remy_Azhary · 20 May 2008]

In essence, this film was good. It tells the coming of age story of a 15 year old Antonio who's discovering his sexual identity. At first, I thought it was boring with lots and lots of conversations. But as the story progresses, we are not only delved into his relationship with his mother but also his friends and community, in which he was involved as part of a choir for the Christmas carol.

We also see how Antonio's relationship with his uncle, Jonbert, soon became an incestuous one. The climax of the film grew even more intense with two simultaneous occurrence going on at the same time...

One, Tere (Antonio's mother) discovered the secret marriage of her husband in Dubai. The other was the rape scene in which Jonbert (Antonio's uncle) forced anal sex on to the 15-year old. I believe this latter scene was the most intense throughout as we could see Antonio's torment during the rape.

As a result of the two occurrences collided, Anotnio's mother got home just in time to save her son by stabbing Jonbert thus killing him in the process.

At the end of the film, audiences would be left with a feeling of disturbed emotions as Antonio and his mother were escorted by the authorities.

Overall, I'd say this was a pretty good Filipino film so far that I've seen.

Nothing has changed since MACHO DANCER

[Davalon-Davalon · 2/10 · 30 October 2020]

In the 20 years since MACHO DANCER was released, we are still returning to the same type of scenarios in any movie coming out from the Philippines about young gay men. Borderline poverty. Absent fathers. Blatant exploitation of youth. Bad camera work. Bad sound and lighting.

This is a home movie at best. It takes advantage of all its actors. The woman who plays the young boy's mother makes a real effort to do her job well. No one else in this student effort has any natural acting ability.

I wish someday there would be a powerful film that comes out of the Philippines that shows GLBTQ people in a positive light. This is not that film.