Marino, director Paul Sta. Ana’s sophomore effort after Huling Pasada (Cinemalaya 2008 finalist), dramatizes the longing that devours a couple when one decides to work as a seafarer.
Following the Diaspora of Filipino workers, Benjo (Allen Dizon) leaves his wife and daughter behind to become a seaman. He tries to overcome separation anxiety by watching family home videos over and over again. However, pixelated images cannot cure homesickness, only human warmth will suffice. And so, he commits an unfaithful act that puts his devotion to his wife to the test.
Back home, his wife Mina (Ara Mina) is dealing with her father’s failing health. As she copes with the situation, she starts to doubt her feelings for her husband. Will she wave the white flag or will she hold on to their commitment?
If I will include all the bit players and their respective stories in the plot I’ve written above, I would have typed 500 words in one go – that’s my biggest concern with Marino. Director Paul Sta. Ana and scribe Dennis Evangelista is guilty of overpopulating this story with too many characters. Is this bad habit talking? Or are the filmmakers just too keen on putting celebrities on screen regardless if their characters are significant or not?
In indie film standards, we can say that Marino has an all-star cast that includes Allen Dizon, Ara Mina, Emilio Garcia, Victor Basa, Rico Barrera, Marco Alcaraz, Jan Nieto, Krista Ranillo, Bangs Garcia, Mike Tan, Jaja Gonzales, Raymond Cabral, and Benjie Felipe. And so, the film haphazardly jumps from one character’s conflict to the next in order to parade its bevy of stars. We are introduced to numerous characters that aren’t given enough screen time to fully matter.
The filmmakers are just going through the motions. I can sense zero investment on character development and dramatic buildup. They are merely concerned on giving each actor and actress their fair share of the limelight. In fact, some of the characters are disposed at a whim. A perfect example is Emilio Garcia’s character. On the get-go, he is fashioned as the major supporting player. He is Benjo’s constant companion, confidante, and kumpare. He offers insightful advices and provocative discussions about being a seaman and a faithful husband. But after his character meets an accident, we never heard of him again.
Meanwhile, the affair between the characters of Rico Barrera and Raymond Cabral is totally uncalled for. I don’t see any significance of it to the central themes being explored. But the scenes are there anyway, just because the filmmakers think they would appeal to a particular demographic. Moreover, the roles of Bangs Garcia (Benjo’s ex-girlfriend), Marco Alcaraz (neighbor who secretly desires Mina), and Jan Nieto (Mina’s older brother) are likewise insignificant.
Despite its shortcomings in the storyline department, the production values can be compared to mainstream releases. They even shot some scenes in
Rating: 1/5
* published in PEP
