Like other reviewers, I m a little sceptical as to the plausibility of a boy living in a criminal family, whose effeminacy and campness are happily accepted. These guys, Max s brothers and father, would surely have a macho image to uphold. Maybe in other cultures there's a socially sanctioned role whereby men can take on a feminine position. It would be interesting to hear what anyone from within Phillipine culture whose seen this film has to say. Having said that, I enjoyed this immensley.
The grainy, hand held and close in camera work aid a feeling of immediacy and you really feel like you re in the slums of Manila. The vibrancy and energy of these third world cities is got across really well, and the importance people attach to family, to caring for and supporting one another. People seem connected in a way we, plugged into our laptops or i pods, don't.
There's a great moment when Max is sitting chatting with his policeman friend at an open air street stall. I ve only travelled in Latin America but have vivid memories of eating like this, perched on a stool, having some random conversation. Much of the pleasure in this film for me came from the way it mixes documentary, at times it seems unrehearsed, inserting scenes found on the spur of the moment and conveying the sheer buzz and energy of the city. The script could do with more development, some dialogue and one or two episodes come across as hackneyed and corny. The relationship between the boy and young man manages to get across the lack of awareness of both parties. The boy doesn't yet have the self knowledge to know what he really wants, and has latched onto an attractive young policeman who has rescued him from an attempted rape, arguably one of the key scenes in the film. Until then Max doesn t quite appreciate the possible consequences of mincing around in his shorts. Dress is used in the film as a signifier of his gradual maturation, by the films conclusion he's moved from the dressing up box, looking cute in his flowery blouses, to becoming a handsome youth in his school uniform. The policeman is depicted well, finding himself troubled and confused when confronted by Max. Hes clearly straight, but nonetheless, is puzzled as to how to respond to this frankly very beautiful young boy. Max, for his part, knows he wants something, but cannot yet articulate what that something is. I'd have preffered a more open ending. There's a sort of closure affected which doesn't quite ring true with how the film, up to then, conveys how difficult life is, how one is faced with contradictions and problems to which there's often no resolution. Life is a process of struggling at managing incompatibilities. Finally, although I saw this on the big screen, not much would probably be lost watching it at home, assuming you have a nice big flashy widescreen. Recommended, and a worthy addition to the coming of age / gay teen drama.
The grainy, hand held and close in camera work aid a feeling of immediacy and you really feel like you re in the slums of Manila. The vibrancy and energy of these third world cities is got across really well, and the importance people attach to family, to caring for and supporting one another. People seem connected in a way we, plugged into our laptops or i pods, don't.
There's a great moment when Max is sitting chatting with his policeman friend at an open air street stall. I ve only travelled in Latin America but have vivid memories of eating like this, perched on a stool, having some random conversation. Much of the pleasure in this film for me came from the way it mixes documentary, at times it seems unrehearsed, inserting scenes found on the spur of the moment and conveying the sheer buzz and energy of the city. The script could do with more development, some dialogue and one or two episodes come across as hackneyed and corny. The relationship between the boy and young man manages to get across the lack of awareness of both parties. The boy doesn't yet have the self knowledge to know what he really wants, and has latched onto an attractive young policeman who has rescued him from an attempted rape, arguably one of the key scenes in the film. Until then Max doesn t quite appreciate the possible consequences of mincing around in his shorts. Dress is used in the film as a signifier of his gradual maturation, by the films conclusion he's moved from the dressing up box, looking cute in his flowery blouses, to becoming a handsome youth in his school uniform. The policeman is depicted well, finding himself troubled and confused when confronted by Max. Hes clearly straight, but nonetheless, is puzzled as to how to respond to this frankly very beautiful young boy. Max, for his part, knows he wants something, but cannot yet articulate what that something is. I'd have preffered a more open ending. There's a sort of closure affected which doesn't quite ring true with how the film, up to then, conveys how difficult life is, how one is faced with contradictions and problems to which there's often no resolution. Life is a process of struggling at managing incompatibilities. Finally, although I saw this on the big screen, not much would probably be lost watching it at home, assuming you have a nice big flashy widescreen. Recommended, and a worthy addition to the coming of age / gay teen drama.