Lolo and the Kid

Written and directed by Benedict Mique, Lolo and the Kid follows Lolo (Joel Torre), a grifter, and Kid (Euwenn Mikaell), the boy he took in, routinely conning the upper classes.

The film portrays the grandfather/grandson relationship, how they go through their lives going to karaoke nights, living in motels, and routinely deceiving the wealthy. Upon reflecting on what is in Kid's best interest, Lolo begins to have doubts if their way of life is the best course of action. Kid never went to school, and this is presented as a hindrance to being successful and making money. Kid wants to go to school, but Lolo's opinion at first is reluctant about what school can teach you that the streets cannot. As a hustler, he is the kind of person that sees street-smarts not only as something better, but as the only real education worth having. Lolo thinks there are two kinds of people: those who cheat and those who get cheated.

Benedict Mique's feature has its problems. To begin with, despite its many attempts at crying-inducing scenes, it does not have the emotional weight it aims at. It simply doesn't. When the script and execution are good enough, there is simply no need for unnecessary non-diegetic emotive music or excessive crying onscreen to provoke sympathy. It feels like a bad trick to manipulate the audience in a very obvious way, like a puppet master does with its marionettes.

The routine of them conning people is also tiresome and makes its short runtime of 97 minutes feel much longer. Lolo and the Kid has its moments, and it offers good performances from its two leads, but it doesn't have any memorable moments, and the same ideas have been seen better portrayed elsewhere.

You really shouldn't recommend this to children, as 16+ is maturity. Broad-minded people can understand what the film wants to convey to people. Because they are the ones who can understand the movie better, the scene where they steal from the rich, yes too good to be true, it seems like there is no such thing in reality, but maybe the characters who were robbed also exist. But the story was focused on Grandpa and the kid, how they met and how Grandpa supported and raised the child, in the beginning he worked because he was young, but when he got older, that's when they started asking for donations. Haha

But that's right, at first we don't really see the value of education, and the best teachers are the ones we've been through in life, I also agree that even if you don't have any education as long as you have a strategy, you can lift yourself up, and know . Be with others and respect each other. Many did not graduate but became rich.

Only people with really broad understanding can understand this movie.

The film is kinda cool, there are scenes that somehow touched the roots of Filipino audiences if I may say. I didn't cry like the most of viewers did. The scene with Iza is something very significant for me , it pierce my heart seeing someone you trusted betrays you despite if everything you've done for them. That scene in particular has given me deeper connection to the overall experience to the film but the hopes and the promise of future is still there. The acting of the kid is kinda awesome but at some point the way he acted , He seems to have so much experiences and at the same time the maturity of the character the way of delivery is something amazing.

THIS IS LITERALLY ONE OF THE TEARJERKING MOVIE I'VE EVER WATCH. It's literally the best movie! As someone who grew up with a grandparent, I can relate to this movie a lot. Also, I can't say this enough but the storyline, cinematography, actors, crew, director, and everyone else who played the part of making this movie. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! U GUYS DID A GOOD JOB! This movie literally bawled my eyes out and made me realized how lucky I am to have my grandparent. I love them so much. Hands down also to Joel and JK (also the kid who is playing) for their phenomenal acting that moved the audience hearts especially mine. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND EVERYONE TO GIVE THIS MOVIE A CHANCE AND WATCH IT CUZ ITS THE BEST! :)

"Lolo and the Kid" attempts to tug at heartstrings with its tale of an unlikely bond between a grandfather and grandson. However, the film's reliance on questionable ethics as a central plot device leaves a sour taste.

The portrayal of the grandfather as a con man is problematic. While the film may attempt to humanize him, it ultimately glorifies a criminal lifestyle. By presenting his actions as merely a means to survive, the movie inadvertently condones theft and deception. This sends a dangerous message, particularly to younger audiences, that such behavior is acceptable or even admirable.

Moreover, the film's choice to involve a child in these activities is deeply troubling. Exposing a young, impressionable mind to a world of deceit is irresponsible and potentially harmful. While the intention might be to highlight the vulnerabilities of children, the execution is deeply flawed.

Adding insult to injury, the film concludes without offering any genuine redemption for the characters' actions. It leaves the audience with a hollow sense of satisfaction, as if the heartwarming relationship between the two characters justifies the morally questionable behavior they engage in. This lack of accountability is a significant misstep and undermines the film's potential for deeper impact.

Ultimately, "Lolo and the Kid" sacrifices moral integrity for the sake of emotional manipulation. While it may elicit tears, it does so at the expense of promoting questionable values. It is essential to question the kind of narratives we celebrate, and this film falls short in this regard.