And the Breadwinner Is… (2024)

Heart in the Right Place, Structure All Over

In And the Breadwinner Is..., Jun Robles Lana delivers a poignant, if occasionally chaotic, Filipino family dramedy anchored by the enduring star power of Vice Ganda. Set against the emotional terrain of sacrifice, betrayal, and reconciliation, the film follows long-time overseas worker Bambi Salvador (Vice Ganda), who returns to the Philippines after 15 years in Taiwan—only to find the home and family she left behind in shambles.

Her mother suffers from Alzheimer’s, the house is crumbling, and her younger brother Biboy (Jhong Hilario) has gambled away her remittances. Heartbroken, Bambi briefly disappears, only to return after a vision of her deceased father. Tragedy then takes a surreal turn when she is mistakenly declared dead, allowing the family to claim her life insurance. When Bambi finally re-emerges, she reveals she is terminally ill with glioblastoma, leading the fractured family into a final chapter of forgiveness and unity.

It’s a film filled with high-stakes emotion and broad tonal swings, culminating in a surprisingly whimsical coda that sees Bambi guiding souls as a flight attendant in the afterlife. The film doesn’t shy away from sentimentality, and when it works, it works well—thanks largely to a committed ensemble cast. Eugene Domingo, Gladys Reyes, and Kokoy de Santos, in particular, elevate the film with layered, compelling performances that transcend the occasionally uneven script.

That said, And the Breadwinner Is... suffers from structural inconsistencies. Scenes sometimes feel loosely stitched together, and the narrative often sidesteps deeper engagement with its themes. Conflicts resolve too conveniently, and some character arcs are rushed or underdeveloped. Vice Ganda’s previous filmography is referenced more than necessary, and filler characters detract from the film’s emotional weight.

Crucially, Bambi's illness is not rendered with the realism it warrants. A more detailed portrayal of her health decline—such as physical changes or choices around treatment—could have lent the story added depth. And while the film flirts with romantic possibilities for Bambi, particularly hinted during a holiday special, these threads are ultimately left unexplored. A reunion with her father’s spirit at the end, rather than an abstract afterlife vignette, might have delivered a more profound emotional payoff.

Despite its flaws, the film finds moments of genuine power—particularly in a standout long-take sequence where the family confronts their buried traumas. It’s in these raw, unfiltered exchanges that And the Breadwinner Is... taps into its full emotional potential.

This may not be Vice Ganda’s most polished film, but it signals a subtle evolution in her screen persona—less slapstick, more soul. While not structurally sound, And the Breadwinner Is... remains an affecting tribute to familial love, personal sacrifice, and the messy, often bittersweet process of coming home.

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