Magnifico

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.

Well its about time the Philippines made a movie and not stick to the old American formula, of the illness of the week syndrome.

This film did not shock you every few minutes, or give you eccentric characters. It went at a pace where life just goes on. We were shown the life in the village and the people living there.

I would of liked to see the reasons the older brother did not like school, and a bit more of Magnificoes friend, but overall it was a good film. Like Milan, the powers that be are thinking about the story a bit more. In the past Filipino films have been guilty of getting a thin story and stretching it for the film star. For example, do we have a role where Sharon Cuneta can cry? Ther was not a bad performance in the whole film, the father with his Rubic's cube, the mother with her pain, the grandmother who just wants to be a grandmother, and Magnifico who just wants to be a...boy.

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.

I am very overwhelmed to even type out a constructive comment on such a wonderful film. This was not expected, for a Filipino film at least. Never mind the quality of the picture, it's all that we can afford. One will hardly notice it unless he or she is a videophile. This is the type of film that, although it is not heavily marketed (I was in the Philippines in 2003, all year, and never have I seen an ad for it), will spread its magnificence through people. Heck, I'd even say that this can go in par with ANY François Truffaut film. My incoherency is annoying even myself, so let's cut this short. Magnifico is truly a magnificent film, no exceptions.

This movie "Magnifico" is one of the most extraordinary films of all-time and it's worth watching in a lifetime! There maybe a lot of sad stuff on this film, but hey: film is set to poverty.

Jiro Manio's character (as Magnifico) is one of the amazing characters on this film even though his character is the lead of this film. It has shown that his character has been responsible for his family and care, and it has made the audiences surprised. I'd say, Jiro Manio - Even though his a kid, he has played a very tough roll on this film but he act very awesome and his took parts very well.

This movie can be really sad to watch but this shows the life of people in poverty and what's the people like in the province in the Philippines. There are no negatives about this film, and there are no conflicts etc. This is the only drama movie that was made as the best and the extraordinary film that was made in the Philippines. This movie has also been the best picture in other Film Festivals as well.

I'd say, this movie is a 10/10 even though it's a really sad film to watch. But this is something to watch and this is something that no one has seen the best that was created in the Philippines.