Movie Review: In My Life « pinoygossipboy

Home » Post Item » Movie Review: In My Life

Movie Review: In My Life

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

Vilma Santos was worth the wait. Direk Olive Lamasan was worth the wait. Overall, the movie was worth the wait.

Yesterday was In My Life’’s first showing day and I will not miss it for the world. Just to clarify, I am not a Vilmanian. Neither am I a Luis Manzano orTruth be told, I don’t have one single celebrity I adore most.

In My Life narrates the story of Shirley Templo, played by VilMa Santos, a school librarian who decided to visit his gay son in New York after learning that her daughter would leave her for a greener pasture abroad. Real life son Luis Manzano plays Shirley’s son, Mark. When Shirley arrived in New York, she picked from the airport by his son’s somestic partner, Noel played by John Lloyd Cruz. Shirley does not like Noel and think that the latter was just an opportunist. By the way, Noel is an illegal immigrant.

The movie is a roller coaster of emotions. It wasn’t completely dramatic, neither was it completely comedic. I love the way how outrageous comedy was inserted from time to time, in between heavy dramatic scenes.

Dialogues were well thought off. And it does give you a feeling of conviction. However, the movie failed to bring many memorable lines unlike the more recent Kimmy Dora.

Lines would go from a very comedic:

“May mali ba saken? (referring to her looks)” “Marami, buhok mo pang librarian, salamin mo pang guidance, damit mo pang principal, height mo pang estudyante…”

to a very dramatic:

“Anak mo lang sya, di mo sa pag-aari…” “Hindi sa yo umiikot ang mundo nya at hindi ito matatapos pag wala ka na…”

The movie centers on Shirley and her relationship to her children (plus Noel). This is far from a gay movie. I can do without the gay undertone. However, it gave an added value. I love how the movie emphasized the value of communication between parents and children. for instance, Vilma was clueless that her eldest, Dang played by Dimples Romana, dreamt of becoming a doctor. I can forgive the factual inaccuracies some Fil-New Yorkers pointed out. The story and the overall feeling filled up for whatever was lacking.

I recommend the movie to all parents who would like to understand their children better. And to children who felt they have lost communication with their mothers.

And just a spoiler: Yes, they got married!

Posted by pinoygossipboy at 11:46 am | permalink

Previous Comments

jusme! minemorize mo naman kasi ata ung kimmy dora eh. bwahahah

Posted by faithfaithfaith at September 18, 2009, 8:23 am

I have watched the movie and yes! it’s worth the wait! It’s not all drama! ang ganda ng role ni Ae Vi! matatawa ka! it’s so realistic…Tunay na basta gawang Star Cinema, pinag-iisipan talaga at pinaghahandaan! hats off to direk Olive Lamasan!

Posted by jinx at September 18, 2009, 11:50 am

i hope it will be shown here in Chicago…
trailer pa lang nung movie, i know it’s a good one plus the actors/actresses involved..tpos when i read ur review, im so eager to watch it…
sana ipalabas din ung kimmy dora..

Posted by witty_gurl at September 19, 2009, 4:58 pm

it made me cry and made me realized how good it is to find someone who would love us (gays in particular) unconditionally…and watching the movie made me believe in love between same gender once more. great movie! worth watching…

Posted by jaypee at September 20, 2009, 7:56 pm

I just dont like the scene where john lloyd slapped back vilma. i find it quite inappropriate. tsaka luis’ death is very graphic. natakot ako dun. haha.

Pero it was a great movie. may mga scenes na nag teary eyed tlga ako.

Posted by Jaypee at September 20, 2009, 11:44 pm

the movie is below average. olivia was tackling too many plot and in doing so the whole thing appeared lazily done.

i’ve seen better MMK episodes.

guys, let’s not kid ourselves, it’s NOT a great movie.

Posted by Bellow at September 21, 2009, 7:39 pm

I can say the movie’s success is because of Ms. Vilma Santos’ and John Lloyd Cruz’ great acting in the movie.

Posted by Anna at September 22, 2009, 10:29 am

BRAVO!!

I’m sorry mom for dissapointing you again because I’m sick..

naiyak ako dun grabehhhhh

Posted by edric at September 23, 2009, 1:44 pm

“Ikaw ang naglabas sa kanya pero hindi mo siya binuo. Kung ano man siya ngayon, yun ay dahil sa mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya. Isa ka lang dun tita!” -Noel (JLC) from In My Life

I love it! Ive watched it twice so I think my lines are pretty accurate. This is one of the best movies of Star Cinema. Long live In My Life!

Posted by mabuendia at September 23, 2009, 5:16 pm

Ang lufet ng movie na ito! Napatawa ako ng husto lalo na nung nakadreadlocks si Vilma Santos! Nyahaha… nakakaiyak din yung huli… Tiyak na kapupulutan ng aral kaya sa mga di pa nakanuod…Manuod na kayo! hehehe…

Posted by Ivory at September 26, 2009, 1:08 am

it really is NOT a great movie. Too many stories. Trying hard comedy.

Posted by mac zoo at November 17, 2009, 11:27 am

i agree that this is not a great movie. vilma santos’ acting here is her worse.

ang daming parts na inappropriate (even the gay relationship) at mukhang naisip lang while walking in new york. shirley templo is the dumbest teacher turned librarian i’ve seen, ever. lahat yata ng moovies ng star cinema may sumasayaw na nagpipilit magpatawa. may shameless endorsement pa! bear brand at biogesic!

vilma was very enthusiastic all through out the movie, maybe it’s because luis is there.

i’ll give it a 6 out of 10 rating.

Posted by Jin at December 22, 2009, 2:33 pm

i agree with the idea about this film being a trying hard comedy, at yung acting ni Miss V. Pangit nga. nasobrahan ung acting nya as someone new to the place and environment. OA ung dating.
pero ok ung scene with that girl telling Noel “Nowl (Noel) is tha you? Oh my God!” dun lang ako natawa. Other than that, nothing else could stretch my lips

Posted by gosh at January 7, 2010, 3:50 am

In my Life, a brilliant, excellent, and perfect movie for the present generation, very realistic and honest, truthful with values on relationships. Not an ordinary kind of story but moving and true to life. Congratulations the best movie I’ve watched this year and sana more to come with this kind of relevance.

Posted by rene dela cruz at January 20, 2010, 1:16 am

Add a comment

Visit My New Blog!

I would like to inform everyone that Pinoy Gossip Boy has transferred to its new domain. Kindly visit the new blog at http://pinoygossipboy.ph

Thank you very much for your continuing support. Happy New Year everyone!

Follow me on Twitter!

Keep this Blog running!

Advertise with us!

Nationwide Blog Ranking

News & Journalism - Top Blogs Philippines

SiteMeter

About the Author

The author graduated with a degree in political science from the University of the Philippines. He is 21 years old and is currently enrolled at the U.P. College of Law. He is employed as a legal officer at one of the leading government agencies. His interests range from politics to gossip. He describes himself as just another face in the crowd. However, acquaintances, both close and otherwise, insist on describing him as a young leader, political strategist in the making, future hotshot lawyer, role model, and inspiration to others. Whenever he is not reading jurisprudence, he is engaged in a number of causes aimed at saving the environment and empowering the grassroots