Balota

Like Love Child, Balota yearns to be comprehensible-perhaps a little too much. It grapples with old political themes in the country and proclaims them boldly-and rightly so. But from a creative lens, it suffers in its obviousness.

It also bleeds from an inconsistent script-at times a satire, then a noir piece, and finally, a callback to trite confrontational endings.

The creative intent is clearly there, but it always feels half-baked. There's too much telling and not enough showing, leaving no room for subtlety. Forgive my frustration.

I can sympathize with the cause the film wholeheartedly craves. I also thought Marian Rivera carried much of the weight-her superb performance became the film's strongest redeeming light, guiding it through to the end.

Without knowing what I was getting into, I sat down to watch the 2024 Filipino drama "Balota" (aka "Ballot"), as I was given the chance to do so here in 2025. And I figured with a rating of 6.3 here on IMDb, at the time of me watching the movie, I figured that there must be something worthwhile to the movie.

Writer and director Kip Oebanda put together a script and storyline that certainly had a lot to tell, and also showcased the corruption that is deeply embedded into the politics game of the Philippines. But at the same time, it was also a storyline that struggled to stay afloat, given its problematic pacing. And I have to say that a lot of the things that went on in the movie just felt like filler.

I was not familiar with the cast ensemble in the movie, except for Felix Petate, but the actors and actresses definitely put on good performances.

"Balota" is a movie that doesn't cater openly to the wider audience at large, as it is somewhat of a niche movie. You need to have a hefty interest in politics and the corruptions that stem from having the wrong men and women in seats of influence and power.

Watchable, for sure, but it wasn't a particularly entertaining movie. And it definitely is not a movie that I will ever return to watch a second time.

Now, the movie is also listed as a comedy here on IMDb, a genre that it most certainly doesn't fall into. So that was very misleading.

My rating of writer and director Kip Oebanda's 2024 movie "Balota" lands on a five out of ten stars.

Balota stays focused on its central theme, offering an informed look at election scheming from the past-one that, I believe, remains rampant today. Its depiction of corruption is both unsettling and necessary, and once the story zeroes in on Teacher Emmy, it never lets go. The tension is gripping.

However, the film holds back from fully embracing a grittier tone, despite the opportunity. The ending also feels too intent on driving its message home, when a more subtle approach would have been more powerful.

Overall, it's an effective and thought-provoking election drama. Marian shines as Teacher Emmy, supported by a strong cast. I just wish the film had leaned into a darker tone-if it had, it would have been even more impactful.

Like Sound of Freedom, it is known why a man wants to fight against human traffickers in the world and even the Philippines, by rescuing their children back to their parents. It is what you get here about Tim Ballard (Jim Caviezel) and that is why the movie is non-political and considering Jim Caviezel's portrayal about Ballard is an example of separating the art from the artist.

While the 2024 presidential season is approaching in the United States, and the Philippine Midterms is coming in 2025, the movie "BALOTA" shows, why this Cinemalaya film considered as the election movie of the year.

"BALOTA" shows Emmy (Marian Rivera) holding the last ballot box to protect it from stealers and it is what she needs it to protect the election integrity by keeping the ballot box.

"BALOTA", is considered as the "SOUND of FREEDOM" of elections. This is what it should be a "wake-up call" for Filipinos and even Americans, who will vote for in the 2024 US presidential elections, and the 2025 Philippine midterm elections, respectively.

In every frame, Marian Reverá's BALLOT proves that a vote is far more than a simple checkbox-it's the very pulse of democracy. With masterful direction and a narrative rich in raw emotion, Reverá draws us into an intimate exploration of individual power and collective change. This film artfully captures the struggles and victories of everyday citizens, illustrating how a single vote can spark a transformation that reverberates throughout communities. BALLOT is not only a cinematic masterpiece but also a stirring call to action. It challenges us to embrace our civic duty, to see each decision as a step toward a more inclusive, empowered future, and to realize that every act of participation writes a new chapter in our shared democratic story. This movie redefines what it means to be engaged in today's world, urging us to listen to the heartbeat of our society and respond with informed, passionate action.