Manila

Manila is an anthology film and a homage to Lino Brocka’s “Jaguar” and Ishmael Bernal’s “Manila by Night.” It’s a gripping neo-noir drama that captures the paradoxes of life in the bustling city of Manila, produced by ABS-CBN's Star Cinema, and is co-directed and co-written by Adolfo Alix Jr and Raya Martin. It took to the big screens in 2009 and features prominent actors such as Piolo Pascual, Rosanna Roces, and Jay Manalo.

The deeply engrossing film tells two stories, both centered around the character William, played by Piolo Pascual. Pascual wears the skin of his character like a second coat, morphing into two separate yet surprisingly similar Manileños named William.

The first story is a somber narrative furnished with a bleak and dark undertone. Pascual takes on the role of a drug addict who, in one fateful evening, witnesses something horrible that will haunt and pursue him relentlessly through the grim streets of Manila. His world is filled with desperation and disillusionment as he desperately tries to escape the harsh reality of his existence.

In the second story, Pascual wears the cloak of a bodyguard, not much different from the tortured addict in his previous incarnation. He dutifully protects a politician during the day and a bar owner at night. However, his commitment to his job strips him of his time and a sense of self. His personal life begins to crumble, and his relationships deteriorate, submerged under the pressing demands of his profession.

Rosanna Roces and Jay Manalo form the strong supporting cast, bringing the city of Manila alive with their stellar performances. Roces, a bar owner, exudes equal parts charm and ruthlessness while Manalo adds layers of intricacy as the ambitious politician.

It is worth noting the stark contrast yet uncanny similarity between the two stories told. Through their tales, Alix Jr and Martin masterfully explore the varying shades of moral ambiguity, desperation, and a sense of relentless pursuit experienced by individuals in the depths of Manila’s underbelly.

Just as the characters are critical to the narrative, so is the metropolis itself. Manila is not merely a backdrop to these stories; it is as much a character essential to the rising tension and urgency in the film. The directors eloquently portray the true face of the metropolis – away from the glitz and glamour - instead focusing on the much grittier, dark, and realistically harsh side. They reveal a metropolis of paradoxes; lush malls overshadow shanty slums, and extravagant wealth exists side-by-side with extreme poverty.

As a tribute, Manila seeks to resurrect the heart and soul of Jaguar and Manila by Night with riveting storytelling, intense scenes, and insightful characterizations of individuals caught in the maze of the city's contradictions. The visual style of the film combines the grainy scenes associated with Brocka's cinema and the refreshing approach of contemporary films. It skillfully combines past and present, tracing a line between the old and the new ways of storytelling.

The cinematography, costume design, and production design in Manila are well-crafted and play a significant role in transporting the viewers into the nerve-centers of the bustling metropolis. The raw energy of Manila and the seething undercurrents of unease are brilliantly captured through carefully choreographed scenes and sequences.

Manila is a poignant narrative that explores the depths of urban nightmares. It paints a clear picture of the harrowing realities that lurk beneath the city's enchanting facades. It's much more than a film; it's a socio-political commentary on a city's life that mirrors the trials and tribulations of its resilient citizens.

If any element of the film is worth applauding, it is the presentation of Manila’s grim reality, the courage to show the mirror to society and the art of beautifully blending raw emotions with bitter truths. It's the kind of cinema that provokes thought, urging viewers to reflect on the societies we live in and the lives we lead within them.

In conclusion, Manila transcends beyond its purpose of being just a cinematic display—it becomes a symbolic representation of raw, unadulterated life in the heart of the Philippines' city. It's a must-see film that will leave you pensive and contemplative about life's many paradoxes.