Ligalig (2006)

Ligalig (CM Films, 2006)
Cesar Montano, Sunshine Cruz, Johnny Delgado
Cesar Montano

I am glad to see Ligalig on DVD shelves. It was a movie that I sort of feel like watching during the MMFF 2006. "Sort of" because I have my apprehensions re watching a Cesar Montano these days, be it his directorial work or a just starring role. After he became Jose Rizal, lumubo na ata ang utak niya thinking that every movie that he makes from then on is a masterpiece. Aside from that, he isn't quiet about it. He'd make sure that he would create so much buzz for the country to realize that he is already on the leagues of our great film makers and actors.

In all fairness, marami naman siyang napabilib sa Panaghoy Sa Suba. I haven't seen it (kasi nga it's Cesar Montano) but then, after hearing how good it was, gusto ko mapanood. Unfortunately, hindi siya nilabas sa DVD. Kaya naman nakakatuwa na Ligalig was released.

Ligalig started out with impressive shots and colors, MTV-ish with '70s feel. Napa-wow ako! Sabi ko, aba, mukhang may potential nga si Cesar sa paggawa ng pelikula. But t'was only during the beginning. When the characters started to speak, blah! Walang k'wenta ang dialogues. During the car scenes, na-appreciate ko 'yung multi-angle camera shots ng movie. However, you won't be able to erase the feeling that the scenes were so fake! Obvious na nakalutang ang kotse dahil idinikit lang sa road shots. That is when I realized that CM is going for style over substance.

As the film progressed, I became confused as to what genre or style of film making does the director want to pursue. Is it suspense, thriller, slasher flick, or horror? Anuman 'yun, the thrills seemed forced and contrived. Ginamit na niya lahat ng cliches sa naturang genres -- sex (parang nympho 'ata lahat ng characters), alcohol, psychos, isolated places (pagkalayo-layong probinsya na hindi na sinabi kung saan), creepy characters (si Celia Rodriguez at John Regala dapat, pero mas nakakainis sila kaysa nakakatakot), mga kunwari'y matatalinong pulis pero mukhang mga bobo pa rin (listen to how they speak and you'll get what I mean!), and most of all, a concept that has been done over and over again! Di bale sana if the movie has something new to offer but it doesn't.

Teka, I'll tell you muna what the film is all about. CM plays Junior (name palang giveaway na!) who is engaged to Trixie (Sunshine Cruz). The odd thing about their relationship is Junior uses prostitutes for his sexual cravings because, according to him, he respects Trixie. So during his sexual encounter with Gwen Garci, may patayan na nagaganap. 'Yung patayan ay makikitang iniimbestigahan ng mga pulis sa mga sumusunod na eksena.

Fast forward to Junior and Trixie's trip to the province where the latter's family is living. Andun ang striktong ina niya na si Martha (Celia), ang kuya niyang si Max (John) na nasira ang ulo sa pinuntahang giyera at ang asawa niyang nakakainis sa weirdness niya, at ang ampon/katulong nilang si Rebecca Lusterio. On their trip, kasama nila ang malibog na kaibigan ni Trixie na si Toti (Katya Santos). Sa naturang pagbisita ay natuklasan ni Junior na hindi siya gusto ng ina ni Trixie. Sa bakasyon ding 'yun nagsimula ang patayan dahil nasundan sila ng killer. At sa pagtakbo ng pelikula matutuklasan ang misteryo ng pagkatao ng killer. Hindi ko lang alam kung kayo ay magugulat pa.

Ligalig is very-High Tension! (I'm sure, tulad ko, sa pirata rin napanood ni CM 'yun! Hahaha!) Gayang-gaya ang takbo ng k'wento maging kuha ng mga eksena ru'n (50% siguro ng patayan scenes). Title pa lang, kopyang-kopya na, hindi ba? Iisa ang pakahulugan. Idagdag pa ang pagka-Psycho at Fight Club nito. Like CM who seems to be too old for such kind of character, this film feels so old.

I am not really against film adaptation or having an inspiration out of a certain film. What irks me is when film makers claim their works are works of art when, clearly, they are copycats. Not even a good one at that.

I admit that I see a potential in CM as a director. Kahit pa'no, may napapatunguhan naman 'yung yabang na pinapakita niya sa publiko. But stick to being a director and stay away from writing screen plays. Katulad ng mga walang katuturan niyang sinasabi minsan, walang katuturan din ang sinasabi ng mga karakter niya. Katulad ng pangangailan sa pag-aaral sa papasukang posisyon sa gobyerno, kailangan din niya pag-aralan ang mga karakter niya bago niya ito isulat. Kailangan pa ba nating magtaka kung ba't siya natalo sa senado?