Mañanita is the story of Edilberta, an ex-military sniper who was honorably discharged and accepts a job that will change her life. It is a quiet character study of when your life's purpose is stripped away, but you still pursue it, only to realize that it could kill you. The story is based on "OPLAN MAÑANITA", an anti drug campaign which started in Davao City in 2016. In the campaign, law enforcers would knock on the door of drug suspects and serenade them to turn their backs against illegal drugs.
Mañanita is a quiet yet powerful film about redemption in modern age. I loved this thoughtful film about appreciating life. There's confident direction from Paul Soriano that he really knows what to achieve and his intention for this film. Bela Padilla's performance is a breather on her usual hugot film. I was captivated by her story on this film whose life had gone off the rails after her tragic childhood experience. From the opening scene I was emotionally invested in her performance
who bravely tested her physical and emotional limits and found reserves
she had previously left untapped. The story does show us what sent her life into a tailspin, in tiny
little snatches of flashback which one can assume how her psyche
began to process and what she had allowed to become of an alcoholic ex military. Bela Padilla definitely stretched the mold with her meaty role in this film. The beautiful scenery and cinematography of the film left me wanting more after the credits started rolling. It obviously help to tell the narrative and emotion of the scenes. The songs used in the film are good catch and heartfelt, especially the song "Magbago Ka" by Freddie Aguilar, that I start to appreciate more after seeing this film. With Paul Soriano's solid direction and Bela Padilla’s moving performance, they definitely transform a passion story into a warm and enlightening flick. Overall, Mañanita is an achingly beautiful portrait of a damaged soul finding itself. Mañanita opens in PH cinemas starting December 4, 2019.
My Verdict: 4/5
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