Movie Review: Bacao

Bacao is about the torment of a young wife, Mayet, struggling to become pregnant.  Mayet, played by Michelle Madrigal, is an enchanting and desired young woman from a remote village of Isabela who experiences a sexual awakening upon her marriage to Abel (Arnold Reyes).  As their village is in the midst of a corn bountiful harvest, their sensual partnership also flourishes, though it is paradoxically fruitless.  Mayet’s anxiety and paranoia grows as pregnancy evades her.  To what extent will Mayet go to fulfill her desire of having a child?

I've been able to watch the premiere night of the Sineng Pambansa Horror Plus Film Festival entry Bacao last October 20 2014. A sensual thriller local flick offering of Sineng Pambansa this year. The plus in this year’s horror film festival. It’s nice to know that veteran editor and filmmaker Edgardo Boy Vinarao has given a chance to participate in this year’s Sinenng Pambansa. A Famas hall of famer in film editing. Isa sa mga kinikilalang institusyon sa paggawa ng pelikulang Pilipino. Masasabi natin na naging personal ang pelikula para sa director dahil ginawa ito sa kanyang sariling probinsya at nagamit ng husto ang lugar upang mailahad ang istorya ng pelikula.

Mararamdaman mo sa treatment ng pelikula na very old school iyong dating at para akong nanood ng 80’s na sexy film. Ganoon ang approach at feel ng movie. Nagkatalo lang sa cinematography na ofcourse mas glossy na ngayun. Masyado ding babad sa musical scoring ang ilan sa mga eksena na ginawa upang makapag establish ng emotion. Ngunit kahit na ganoon may ipinakta naman ng magandang istorya at moral values ang pelikula. Hindi rin matatawaran ang husay sa pag arte ni Michelle Madrigal na isa sa mga mahuhusay na artista sa kanyang henerasyon na nabigyan ng break sa pelikulang ito sa kanyang kunaunahang pelikula as lead star. Bukod sa bigay todong paghuhubad ni Michelle sa pelikulang ito bigay todo din siya sa pag arte na kinakitaan ko ng kalaliman bilang isang aktres. For Arnold Reyes ofcourse no question palagi namang mahusay sa pagganap. Agaw eksena din si Mr. Leo Martinez sa pelikulang ito na talaga namang kaabang abang ang karakter. Isa rin sa saving grace ng pelikula ay si Irma Adlawan na talaga namang nagbigay ng isang katauhan na tatatak sa inyo.

Napakapayak ng istorya at bumagay ang lugar at production design. May kakaibang humor din na ipapakita ang pelikulang ito. So if you already miss the old school type or classic sexy drama film of the 80’s, this film is a good catch and a good alternative for the Sineng Pambansa Horror Plus Film Festival.

My Verdict:  2.5/5

Alvin Anson, Marife Necessito, Direk Boy Vinarao, Michelle Madrigal, Arnol Reyes and Mengie Cabarubias @ Premiere Night of Bacao

Mengie Cabarubias, Direk Boy Vinarao and Arnold Reyes @ Premiere Night of Bacao

Michelle Madrigal @ Premiere Night of Bacao

Alvin Anson, Marife Necessito, Direk Boy Vinarao, Michelle Madrigal, Arnol Reyes and Mengie Cabarubias @ Premiere Night of Bacao

Michelle Madrigal and Ehra Madrigal @ Premiere Night of Bacao

This year’s entries to the first ever Horror plus Film Festival stretch the limits of horror, just in time for Halloween weekend. The Sineng Pambansa HORROR plus Film Festival will run from October 29 - November 4 at SM Cinema branches nationwide.