THIS IS NOT A HISTORICAL MOVIE BUT VERY ENTERTAINING

So what are my thoughts about Maid In Malacañang.

Before you read, make sure you are not the close-minded type who trolled here with fake reviews for something they didn't even watch nor gave chance to see. I hate fake reviewers as they mislead people.

So let's start.

I don't like it. But read along before you attack with torches and hurl insults.

Here are reasons why. (Warning : Few Spoilers)

This is not a historical movie. If you want to see something stronger, then watch Brocka's banned movie or actual news footage. Not a movie told from the perspective of the producer, the director or the award giving bodies.

If you are expecting a revisionist movie like dispelling rumours about the Marcoses excesses and opulence, this is not for you. It doesn't hide their wealth and their control of people around them - from the luxury-wearing zero-gravity moving Imelda, to the scary bossy angered Imee, the party going camou-wearing brave-wanting Bonget. No sugar coating here - they are revealed as spoiled people.

It doesn't portray the Marcoses as the bravest souls as they show here how they spiraled to their fears and frustrations, the latter shown by former President FEM himself. If you are expecting them to be portrayed here as a blameless hero family, they aren't as even Irene

It doesn't show the Marcoses as the most powerful family in the country as they too failed to save their entire extended household (meaning those who lived long with them in the palace). The mahjong scene that irked many before the actual showing revealed the figures who were more powerful, and I emphasize, were as it is passe. And it is not the one who sat at the mahjong table but the bigger entity some tried to represent mockingly.

It didn't show the atrocities during Martial Law nor it depicted further the evil side of many politicians some have come to worship for decades. Nor did it tackle the roots of what made Martial Law to be declared.

It didn't utilise more some actors like Elizabeth Oropesa, the controversial Ella Cruz and even the most hated actress now for portraying the symbolic yellow wearing saint, Gieselle Sanchez. I feel like some scenes really got stolen much by the superb timing and acting of Beverly Salviejo aka Manang Biday.

But it did reveal some things that would make more people ponder, especially with the "what ifs". Highly entertaining as was the movie, I am left with questions after seeing it as the pieces still don't feel complete. With many puzzle pieces hidden before like actual video clips of how the palace was stormed and yes, burned (as there are actual reports to such in the news), the actual announcements to join EDSA uprising (I wish they put recordings of those actual announcements of Sin calling the faithful), to the big reveal for some that Marcoses were aimed to be killed by friends and some organised people, I can't help but ponder is the running time enough for film or is this better a series?

Some things are made clear here though.

First, and I won't be apologetic. This is a middle finger movie to Ramos who died days before the movie was shown. Maybe he chose to die before his humiliation can be revealed that he was indeed part of planners to kill off the first family. I know BBM paid respects but the Maid in Malacañang didn't and I understand her for that.

This is also a big middle finger movie to family and friends who betray us for politics. Darryl never shies away from controversy and arguments. With the 2022 election campaign being hailed as the most toxic we experienced (and maybe the worst of all time). The lines hit hard that you eat on the same plate with people who wish you dead. Sadly, toxicity is shared on the plate.

This is not a hate film though. In fact, it is a beautifully crafted melodrama with light touches of humor and reference to 80s, to telenovelas and even PRRD's expletives. The music was superb, the pacing mostly on point but always easy to follow and the acting delivered credibly by everyone in the main cast. If Cesar Montano and Beverly Salviejo don't get awards here, we know some directors probably thought to award it to someone else and found their own reflections.

Darryl also is masterful in creating memorable lines like how he delivered with his notoriously popular LenLen series. My dad kept repeating some of the lines he remembered and I of course love villains so you know whose I remember the most. Add the symbolisms, references and mild swearing he put may look or sound cliche for some but those are reminders that this movie is not perfect nor the people shown in it. It doesn't lie like others hailing their own as absolute truth and true masterpiece that must be seen again (and I say again as not much watched the first run, it wouldn't earn either with a re-run if not put side by side with Maid in Malacañang). It doesn't lie that it is not without creative liberties meant to stir emotions at almost every chapter as they hit the right nerves at most points.

Maid in Malacañang is not a movie made to justify lies as others claim it would be. Rather, it presents itself as a vulnerable piece prone to dissection - hence chapters. It is highly entertaining as it is thought provoking, tear inducing, BP raising, heart warming.

So I don't like it.
I love it.

PS the final mahjong scene looks funny in the trailers but it is actually a sinister dark energy filled take, from the daunting music which reminds of The Omen, to the evil spewed out lines to the closing of hands playing with yellows. A promotion of what was to come. Darryl should make a horror film continuation about this. :P

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