By means of Edg Adriaan Evone, Reporter
Movie review
And so is the breadwinner
Directed by June R. Lana
Produced by Star Cinema and The IdeaFirst Company
Vice Ganda’s films have consistently provoked polarized reactions over the years. While they undeniably connect with their target audience through Vice Ganda’s signature comedic style – consisting of one-liners, puns and parodies – some critics find the films’ reliance on a repetitive formula less appealing. The frequent use of slapstick humor and exaggerated scenarios is entertaining for many, but for some it often detracts from the depth and artistic value of the films.
In Vice Ganda’s latest film, however And the breadwinner is, for this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, the buzz signals a possible change in tone. The teaser hints at a more serious and dramatic story, balanced with the familiar nuances of comedy that have defined Vice Ganda’s style. This fresh direction is intriguing, especially for someone who grew up watching Vice Ganda’s films.
As the film’s title suggests, Vice Ganda, who plays Bambi Salvador, becomes established as her family’s breadwinner, taking on multiple jobs in Taiwan to support her large family in the Philippines. The film starts strong, with Bambi narrating her hardships, supported by visuals that effectively show her unwavering dedication to building her family’s dream home.
Of course, it’s a Vice Ganda movie, so comedy is always present, but what makes it more effective is how the comedy shows up in the most unexpected scenes – moments that are sad or frustrating in nature. For example, in one scene, the OFWs use the coffin of a recently deceased colleague to store their belongings pasalubong or balikbayan items (gifts for those at home) — it’s a little disturbing but hilarious at the same time. The fact that they are unexpected makes the comedic moments in the first part of the film more effective.
However, when Bambi returns to the Philippines, the film’s plot takes off. What started as a balanced comic-dramatic story turns into a full-blown comedy, falling back on the old formula. These moments could have been used to develop the character of Baby Salvador – Bambi’s older sister (played by comedian Eugene Domingo) – whose abdication of her responsibilities is crucial in allowing Bambi to become the family’s sole breadwinner.
Baby’s comical and quick reconciliation with her family, after more than fifteen years of absence, feels emotionally unrealistic. The family immediately accepts her with warmth, except Bambi, who eventually accepts her as well. This feels like lazy writing considering how her character was established at the beginning of the film.
A visual representation of Baby leaving the family, Bambi’s turning point as a breadwinner, and Baby’s reasons for leaving and returning would have given the characters more depth, making their motivations more compelling – in a similar way to how the original narrative was supported through effective stories. visual cues.
While there are attempts to address these conflicts through occasionally confrontational scenes, the film’s shift toward full-blown comedy and the rapid emotional transitions make these scenes feel forced, as if they were included merely to advance the plot .
The highlight of the film is the single-camera confrontation scene between Bambi, Baby and the rest of the family, especially younger brother Biboy Salvador, played by Jhong Hilario. As mentioned in an interview with the press, this intense moment was filmed in one take.
Director Jun Lana’s vision for the stage is clear: he wants to immerse the audience, making them feel like they are there and witnessing the confrontation. However, this method has its drawbacks as the single camera angle does not fully capture the facial expressions of the characters. This scene is crucial for Bambi and for the family to express their suppressed emotions, and if it had been executed better, like the confrontational scenes in Anak or Four sisters and a weddingit would have been more effective.
Nevertheless, Vice Ganda’s acting workshop clearly pays off here, as she effectively conveys the burden and exhaustion of being the breadwinner of the family for so long.
General, And the breadwinner is has strong appeal to Filipino families, thanks to Vice Ganda’s enduring star power and family-oriented theme. Had the film focused more on Bambi’s struggles and further explored how her years of hard work led to disappointment, while delving deeper into her conflict with Baby, with a more nuanced use of comedy, it could have been a high point are in Vice Ganda’s film career. .
MTRCB Rating: PG