Movie Review: Ekstra

Ekstra (The Bit Player) is a socio-realist drama-comedy film, which follows a seemingly usual day in the life of Loida Malabanan (Vilma Santos-Recto) as she embarks on yet another shooting day of a soap opera as an extra. As the shoot goes on, we get a glimpse of the truth in the ruling system of the production as well as the exploitation on the marginalized laborers like her.

This film is so hilarious, very entertaining funny movie to watch to. I cannot count on how much ako napatawa na hindi pilit ng pelikulang ito. Screenplay is superb, panalo ang mga linya. Very mainstream ang approach at atake ng pelikula kaya for sure magugustuhan ito ng masa, papasa sa standard ng Star Cinema at tatawid into a mainstream film.

Para sa mga nagtatrabaho sa likod ng pelikula, mga artista, staff, crew, writer lahat ng nasa field ng shooting and taping for sure relate relate na relate kayo sa pelikulang ito. Ipinakita ang totoong nangyayari sa likod ng camera. mga  kalakaran sa paggawa ng teleserye, ratings, common problem sa set, napakatypical and totoo yung ipinakita rito.

Actually ang kinapitan ko talaga ng husto sa pelikulang ito ay hindi yung pagiging ekstra ni Loida kundi yung pagiging nanay niya. Nakita ko ang nanay ko kay Loida kung paano ang sakripisyo ng isang magulang sa kanyang anak na lahat ay gagawin para sa anak. So after watching this film you will definitely hug your mother. Grabe sa sobrang galing ni Ate Vi at effective na umarte nakapitan ko yung role niya bilang nanay at iyon ang nakita ko sa kanya all throughout the film ang pagiging nanay niya at hindi isang ekstra.

So madaming realization ang movie na ito wether it’s about reality of showbiz in good and bad take and realities in life about your family especially yung hirap ng isang magulang para mapatapos ang isang anak sa pag aaral. The scene that really broke my heart is yung breakdown scene ni Direk Marlon kay Loida that was so heartbreaking nakita ko dun yung rejection ni Loida as a talent and yung opportunity na nawala sa kanya para may dagdag na income sa pagiging ekstra.

I cannot elaborate more on how Ms. Vilma Santos did great in the film cause its shows how am I was affected as a viewer so meaning she is effective in portraying on her character. The rests of the casts are good. Cameo role is entertaining Piolo and Marian doing a soap together. I don’t see any flaws in the film siguro aside from those who is not interested to watch a mainstream film you may try watching this as this is also an entertaining film to watch to.

My Verdict: 4/5 

Ms. Vilma Santos

Luis Manzano and Jennylyn Mercado @ Gala Night of Ekstra

Ryan Christian Recto and Ralph Recto @ Gala Night of Ekstra

Luis Manzano and Jennylyn Mercado @ Gala Night of Ekstra