On the Job

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

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 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.

I am surprised to see this movie is just 6+ here on IMDb as it's definitely an 8+ movie. It's full of action. They movie has good acting, good story and good speed. It's never boring and is made well. There is lots of action and it's done very well. The actors are well cast and their acting is good too. There is a story and we get to see the life in Manila. The shooting is realistic and so are the action scenes.

See the trailer before you decide to skip this movie as that will change your mind. Don't go by the rating here as this is definitely skewed (I am not sure why?)This movie is way better than that and lot's of Hollywood action movies. If you like action movies this is for you and it will keep you on edge right through.

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.