100 cheers

allow me to be nega first: the audio was bad. there were words i couldn't hear. maybe the acoustics in that old SM city cinema coupled with an audience of possibly 30 only made it even worse. i was straining to hear some critical lines. the lighting was bad, too. i found it dim, from the 'dream sequence' start all the way. i wanted to look for a remote and press 'brightness' and 'contrast' all the way up! or is it the cinema's fault again???

there were times it felt too long. but i think it's partly the bad audio and the dim lighting of the scenes. (i almost dozed off once or twice)

and sometimes, the musical scoring (or absence of it) did not help to create the scene. or maybe im used to the lush soundtracks of western movies.

but, but, but i found it to be a wonderful movie.

pacing is good and fast. the story was very believable. no stretches of the imagination. the dialogue was real and conversational, including that brief shouting match between joyce and her mom.

creative treatment i also enjoyed. the pinatubo dream sequence is by no means original but i still enjoyed the continuity at the end.

i love the concept that the post-its did not just come from her. eventually, the other significant people in her life were writing 'to-do' stuff. from being in full control, she had to surrender and let them in.

mylene as joyce is almost seamless. her characterization was consistent and, thank God, no breakdown hysterics.

tessie tomas looked like she was trying too hard at first. but she quickly settled into the role after the 'reveal'.

and the friend, ruby, of course, was quite stereotypical as a counterpoint to her. but i still found her enjoyable and not trying to be too funny. (at say mo, british ang jowa!)

i was expecting to shed some tears, as i like doing (hehehe). but i didnt. there were a few almost moments. which in the end, is what i like best about the movie. its about dying. its about relationships in that context. its not sappy or apologetic. it seemed factual yet tender. a delicate balance that i felt the movie achieved laudably!

i hate the fact that i missed the fabcast with chris martinez.

its not just three cheers... its 100 cheers for the movie!