We borrowed the title from Collective Soul.
We thought it aptly describes Darryl Yap’s “Maid In Malacañang.”
The film appears incomplete, rushed.
We were hoping it would say more, do more, show more.
Maybe we hoped too much?
All that said, it offers lots of laughs.
Despite the seeming seriousness of the milieu (it tackles the last three days of the Marcoses in the country’s seat of power amid the 1986 People Power revolution), the writer-director was able to inject enough of his patent humor to make the film quite enjoyable, entertaining.
It is almost campy in a way.
Providing most of the laughs are Beverly Salviejo, Karla Estrada and Elizabeth Oropesa.
The three play maids in the film as based on actual people but they ham it up like regular cartoon characters that one can’t help but be amused with their antics.
No. The film, despite its title, is not about them. It is about somebody we didn’t expect. We won’t disclose it here but suffice it to say that the reveal allows for a bit of unanticipated twist.
Another thing we found amusing is Cristine Reyes’ over-the-top performance as a very-stressed-out-yet-ultimately-still-very-fashionable Imee Marcos.
Then there’s Ruffa Gutierrez’s theatrical impersonation of Imelda Marcos.
We wonder: Were they just so into their respective roles or were they intentionally being ironic?
Critics who condemned the film solely based on its trailer should do well to actually watch it.
It is harmless, fun.
Note the cast and crew recently donated 500,000 pesos to the people of Ilocandia and Abra who were greatly affected by the recent earthquake.
“We hope viewers will understand the simple opening night of our film. Enough for me and my family to show our side of the story and history. It is more important now that we help our countrymen affected by the earthquake,” part of Senator Imee’s statement read.
“Maid in Malacañang” opens Aug. 3.
