Magnifico

I can't believe that it took me year before I had the "experience" of watching Magnifico. Never had I seen a Filipino movie which moved me to tears that I almost found it hard to breathe..This is one of those Filipino cinematic gems.. The story is simple yet unforgettable..this movie is unpretentious, subtle and humbling. One scene that really made me cry was when they did a slow motion of Jiro walking out of the house carrying his sister on his back to take her out to the "perya" Lorna, the mother, just crying there silently watching her two children was just one of the many unforgettable scenes in the movie. The movie's happy atmosphere in the beginning will cleverly prepare you to a tragic and yet what I consider "beautiful" ending. This movie is one of those stories that will prove that in this world where people consider Me, Myself and I as most important, there is still what we call selfless love.

The best movie i have ever seen in my entire life.

The actors, characters, cinematography, storyline are as good as it gets for this particular genre.

Truly inspirational.While most families around the world worries or complain about not having the best of everything, and their lack of appreciation to the simplest, or basic essentials in life, this movie will show how lucky you really are.

I've read some comments that down played the integrity of this movie, and in for obvious reasons, these comments came from people who's never been to the Philippines, who's never experienced poverty, and a complete slave to the "Hollywood" stereotypical way of depicting drama in the movies. The portrayal of the day to day hardships of this Philippine family in this movie is as real as it gets, or worse to some.

If this movie didn't touch you, then look for meetings that can help you.

Not a few critics have written negative reviews about this film for being too melodramatic. What is so wrong about a film which makes its viewers shed tears because of its sheer beauty? This film about a young boy who has so much love to give certainly won the hearts of its viewers, to hell with the critics. Personally, I think it is one of the best Filipino films ever made, and its two awards from the Berlin Film Festival should serve as proof of its greatness. I'd like to think of this film as the Philippines' humble contribution to world cinema. I believe that viewers around the world should not be deprived of movies such as this, which offer the message of hope and love, as opposed to the depravity prevalent in today's cinema.

Unfortunately, I never got the chance to watch this film in Germany when it won its awards at the Berlin Film Festival in 2004. I only had the chance to watch it when I came back to the Philippines and I never really expected what impact it would have on me.

First, it is obvious that Miss Yamamoto is a gifted screenplay writer and director de los Reyes will bring it far in his respective field if he will continue his great contributions for Philippine cinema. Maginifico is really an enlightment and inspiration towards the development of Filipino films. This is what the dying entertainment industry needs right now.

The story and the sound effects were good, the music really fitted very well to the setting. The beginning scenes of the story weren't really captivating at all so one needed patience to get attracted to its plot. The scenes are simple but they become touching once the story gears to an end. In this film, no character has to wail or shout to catch viewers' emotions, the reality and frankness of the film was so direct and impressive that the story simply forces you to cry at some point. I never really cry at movies, even Hollywood tear-jerkers have no effect on me. This one has just awaken so much truth and reality in the Philippine society of poverty and innocence of a child, it really is heartrending.

One thing that could have been improved are the visual qualities of the film, they are really not compatible to global standards. And there were too many scenes at the story that were really out of topic etc. but otherwise, this film really is a knockout. It is a great contribution to the local film industry and films like these with high quality deserve good production and not only support for the commercial mainstream in the Philippines but also in cinemas worldwide. It can really par with many Hollywood masterpieces.

I am from India and I have never seen any Philipines movie. Without knowing anything about this movie, I borrowed it from library for my kid.

I never cry while seeing a movie especially if someone is around. But I could not hold the tears till the end. This is going to be the most favorite movie of my life time. Characterisation and screenplay are too good, that we don't realize that we are getting deep into that movie. My mother does not understand English. But she was also speechless at the end.

I thank all the artists involved in this movie for giving a wonderful movie (lesson) to the world.

I wish our Indian directors/producers also see this movie and try giving us good movies.