On the Job

On The Job has some intriguing stuff, it's a story about four lives connected in one conspiracy behind the law. What's going on is as many as its moral ambiguities. It is a heavy story, but it consistently delivers thanks to the people who are involved. The craft is excellent for giving an absorbing quality with pure tension. The stellar cast brings plenty of life within the characters. Beyond the surfaces, the film is already fascinating itself, but it's a very ambitious picture. OTJ is a rare modern Filipino film that has an actual engaging story to tell in a brilliantly slick and exhilarating way.

The subjects of the film are the realities of crime and moral ambiguity. Even though the lead character's motivation is good, it won't make his job look any less terrible. It never glosses anything about what they do and that's the interesting part. There are no actual heroes and a dirty work will always be a dirty work, which provides absolute danger within the surface. The film is best at tension, every set piece is like a ticking bomb, it gets louder and louder until it fires to an unpredictable shock, then more action. It's amazing stuff. When there's no blood and gunshots, the film explores the characters. They are in fact not bad people after all. They have their own problems and only do those things to provide for their loved ones, though there's a fear that they might bring their work into their personal lives, but that just makes it human.

Tatang is mostly ruthless, but Joel Torre gives all the humanity which balances the character's depth and criminal side. Gerald Anderson shines remarkably. His greatest feat is the arrogance he brings, makes his character feel more threatening. Piolo Pascual surprisingly has something beyond his typical charms. My favorite among is Joey Marquez, who gives the cop a natural rage and fear that can be relatable and somehow enjoyable to watch.

The film never depicts Metro Manila as pleasant, it's like hell on earth where violence may happen anytime in the city. Well it is in fact one of the rotten places of the country. Other than that, the film has most the best things in a classic crime thriller: noir feel, anxiety filled action, twisted dark humor, and a cinematography that glamors around the filth. Director Erik Matti keeps everything interesting and magnetic.

OTJ is a great surprise among the local blockbusters today. We don't usually get a well made Filipino movie like this nowadays unless it's an independent film. Otherwise, it's a compellingly grim crime drama that may possibly stuck in your mind in a while. Personally, I think this is the best film I've seen this year so far. Since it's not really the greatest ever, I think this is what we need. It has a lot of what's missing in most modern blockbusters. It also has the craftsmanship and down-to-earth performances that would impact more to the audience. With all the merits, OTJ is easily recommendable.

I don't know how famous the actors are in Phillipines, but they all seem like they are not into their roles enough.

The handsome cop somehow good at flexing his muscular appearance thorough the film more than acting with only a sad gaze, not much else emotion. He was so passive and clueless, almost like a pawn on chessboard with one use: sacrified for bigger piecies.

The ugly cop was even worse. His horrendously dumb face can't make me think he on good side. He acts like a local supermarket's security who would get drunk after work, than a veteran police officer who fight corruption. A pitiful, pathetic character (and not in a good way).

Now let turn to the "bad" side characters. The handsome youngster - very good looking indeed. But he sticks out like an elephant. Dress too modest, smile too bright, cute face, even his skin tone shine through the whole scene. And since his character was a long term prison inmate, that outlook didn't fit at all. His acting was limited with some range, he can't really act with his eyes, his aura screams "I'm a pretty boy and I will pose only for the camera". Overall, he showed only the shell of a type of character - the son figure - and not much else.

The main role, very much like Russell Crowe - rugged middle age man with rough past - made a decent job. His eyes hide complex gazes, his face twisted and turn when needed, good presence in every scene he on. He the only actor that really blend in, become his role.

The movie effectively show audiences its world - bleak, dark, stinky, and no way to escape. But it needs more believable characters to become good, characters with distinct traits, with real chemistry, and dont look so out of the plot.

This is the type of movie I will not be ashamed to recommend to some of my foreigner friends. The story was well-written, and the casting was just superb, not because the actors were mainstream, but because they kept me captivated in an agonizing kind of way.

It's high time for us to support this kind of film. Filipinos should not only support the mainstream films but should really start realizing that this is the type of movie our country needs to produce so our people will have their eyes widely open with the rampant corruption in this country and be responsible enough in casting their votes during election.

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.

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.