On the Job

The story and pacing smoothly complimented each other. I like how the intensity just builds up right from the get go during the first scene up until the last one. Wonderfully moody cinematography combines with an excellent soundtrack and some breathlessly tight editing to create a surprisingly dark and nihilistic film.

It's also great to see characters that were fleshed out especially that of the three main characters. We get to know them more instead of simply just following what they do. This is one of the things I like about the film in terms of characterization, we get a glimpse of their individual lives as opposed to just going right at the center of the conflict.

This film pretty much shows what an ensemble really is. There are really no small roles here, as everyone's given something to do and they all did their parts well. From the opening assassination to the hospital shootout to the sequence that closes the film, the action beats in "On the Job" are technically polished while simultaneously visceral—even intimate—in their brutality. Matti and his cohorts have scored a home-run here.

I actually wanted to watch "Foxcatcher", but the screening was sold out, so I decided I'd go and watch this instead. And why not? Had no idea what to expect and was mostly entertained by it. The story this is based on, something that seems to have happened is completely crazy. As they say: You could not make this stuff up (well maybe some of it, but the core is true).

The acting might not be always up to the challenge, but the violence and the "reality" of it, will hold your attention to it and will grip you from start to finish (if you don't mind reading subtitles that is like I don't). While it's straightforward, there are a few surprise twists here and there awaiting you. More than a decent thriller then

ON THE JOB is a dark, dingy, and rather sweaty Filipino thriller that has some stylistic similarities to the far superior METRO MANILA. Unfortunately this is ultimately a much lesser work in which promise at the outset soon devolves thank to some rather pedestrian writing. ON THE JOB is too long, too slow, and marred by unsympathetic characters who you don't give two hoots about despite their various problems.

The story involves a real-life scandal around career criminals being given day release from prison to go around working as political assassins. It sounds great, but after the umpteenth long-winded scene of characters arguing and discussing their plight, it becomes merely average rather than profound. It doesn't help that the only truly likable character is the young crusading cop whose character is let down by possibly the most unsatisfying climax in a film ever.

Director Erik Matti performs an able job behind the camera, creating a gritty and realistic look that brings out the poverty and grime of the surroundings. Individual scenes are powerful, and there are one or two good action moments, but the choreography is sometimes sloppy and the tedium occasionally overwhelming. These factors conspire to make ON THE JOB a distinctly average movie when it should by all rights be a good one.

The story and pacing smoothly complimented each other. I like how the intensity just builds up right from the get go during the first scene up until the last one. Wonderfully moody cinematography combines with an excellent soundtrack and some breathlessly tight editing to create a surprisingly dark and nihilistic film.

It's also great to see characters that were fleshed out especially that of the three main characters. We get to know them more instead of simply just following what they do. This is one of the things I like about the film in terms of characterization, we get a glimpse of their individual lives as opposed to just going right at the center of the conflict.

On The Job is exciting not only because of its story that tackled the gun-for-hire business, something that maybe unique in the Philippines, because of its rampant killings; it is also exciting because the birth of new Philippine cinema is now palpable.

The past years have seen new writers and directors handle different urban poor stories, this one not only gives us a glimpse on the machinery of the killing business and how it affects the lives of the poor, but also let us see the powerful rich (the military) that runs the country.

Every actor did a good job, although I feel Angel Aquino looks a little too glamorous for her role. The script was believable, the pacing was fast, the characters were given enough time to develop (except maybe Marquez's son's story that did not develop further) and most of all, I love the realistic ending. I also like that the movie left a glimmer of hope when the police partner recovered the phone. With all the horrors happening in the society, there is still hope.

I think this is one of the year's best, I am happy that people went to see this movie and I hope other worthy films will get wider audience next time.