Erik Matti's On The Job---WOW. In my opinion, our country's finest film in recent history. There's no kidnapping (and eventually rescuing)the leading lady, no song and dance numbers or field trips to the beach, no fake punch audio--well just the unnecessary sex scenes and the subtle product placements--I'm looking at you Nescafe, Marlboro and Tanduay!--But this movie is the space shuttle that rockets our formulaic film industry light years forward to at least catch up to respectable standards. It doesn't do justice to say that On The Job may very well be the Filipino version of Breaking Bad but there are undeniable similarities.
Joel Torre is your Heisenberg. Unlike Heisenberg, Tatang doesn't start out as your naive chemistry teacher desperate to earn money for his cancer treatments and support his family. Joel Torre's Tatang Maghari (name roughly translates to Old King or Old Ruler) portrays your very cerebral and methodical veteran hit-man but he does have a soft spot for his family and his rookie...(In fact, since a US remake is in the talks, may I please suggest that they use Bryan Cranston to play Joel Torre's role?) Gerald Anderson is cast as your local Jesse Pinkman. Foul mouthed, messes up the job a lot. Very rough around the edges but what he lacks for in finesse and discretion, he makes up for in his loyalty to Tatang and willingness to learn. He is kind of a douche bag but still somehow endearing. This guy has great potential as an actor. I hope he gets more challenging roles in the future.
While Piolo Pascual top bills this movie, he really has more of a supporting role alongside Joey Marquez. But they do some mighty fine acting. (Definitely Joey Marquez's best performance ever). Piolo plays the conflicted NBI detective who wants to do the right thing but is burdened by his ties to the evil forces. I do feel that they could have cast someone better than Joey Marquez as the cop. Maybe it's just his voice and his history of comedic roles that make us unable to take his portrayal seriously.
Michael De Mesa and Leo Martinez are noteworthy villains too. They're both very calm and collected even when their vehicle is being shot or when Piolo was going to draw his gun right in front of the small man that is Leo. They're just oozing with confidence that they've got all the power and money in the country to get away with just about anything. Reminds me of Gus Fring. Quiet but formidable.
Erik Matti does an excellent job with the writing and directing. The plot uncovers without having to spell everything out for the audience and there are a few surprises thrown in at the end which leaves us wanting more. And that's always a good thing when you leave your audience wanting more.
Writeups say that Matti is planning a sequel but will Rayver Cruz prove to be a worthy adversary to Joel Torre or will there be different characters to continue the plot? I give it a 9.5 out of 10....but only for some unnecessary sex scenes, conveniences in the plot and weak acting from Shaina Magdayao and Angel Aquino. Heck, even Rosanna Roces' acting was more memorable than theirs...and they had more screen time!
Joel Torre is your Heisenberg. Unlike Heisenberg, Tatang doesn't start out as your naive chemistry teacher desperate to earn money for his cancer treatments and support his family. Joel Torre's Tatang Maghari (name roughly translates to Old King or Old Ruler) portrays your very cerebral and methodical veteran hit-man but he does have a soft spot for his family and his rookie...(In fact, since a US remake is in the talks, may I please suggest that they use Bryan Cranston to play Joel Torre's role?) Gerald Anderson is cast as your local Jesse Pinkman. Foul mouthed, messes up the job a lot. Very rough around the edges but what he lacks for in finesse and discretion, he makes up for in his loyalty to Tatang and willingness to learn. He is kind of a douche bag but still somehow endearing. This guy has great potential as an actor. I hope he gets more challenging roles in the future.
While Piolo Pascual top bills this movie, he really has more of a supporting role alongside Joey Marquez. But they do some mighty fine acting. (Definitely Joey Marquez's best performance ever). Piolo plays the conflicted NBI detective who wants to do the right thing but is burdened by his ties to the evil forces. I do feel that they could have cast someone better than Joey Marquez as the cop. Maybe it's just his voice and his history of comedic roles that make us unable to take his portrayal seriously.
Michael De Mesa and Leo Martinez are noteworthy villains too. They're both very calm and collected even when their vehicle is being shot or when Piolo was going to draw his gun right in front of the small man that is Leo. They're just oozing with confidence that they've got all the power and money in the country to get away with just about anything. Reminds me of Gus Fring. Quiet but formidable.
Erik Matti does an excellent job with the writing and directing. The plot uncovers without having to spell everything out for the audience and there are a few surprises thrown in at the end which leaves us wanting more. And that's always a good thing when you leave your audience wanting more.
Writeups say that Matti is planning a sequel but will Rayver Cruz prove to be a worthy adversary to Joel Torre or will there be different characters to continue the plot? I give it a 9.5 out of 10....but only for some unnecessary sex scenes, conveniences in the plot and weak acting from Shaina Magdayao and Angel Aquino. Heck, even Rosanna Roces' acting was more memorable than theirs...and they had more screen time!