La Visa Loca
cast: Robin Padilla, Johnny Delgado, Rufa Mae Quinto
The good: competent all-around
The bad: not really all that good
La Visa Loca tells the story of Jess Huson (R. Padilla), a local taxi driver whose ambitions to go to the U.S. has been repeatedly frustrated by the U.S. Embassy's refusal to grant him a visa. By chance, he recognizes an American tv host/producer who happens to ride in his taxi. The producer just happens to have a brother-in-law who owns a nursing home in Florida and promises to recommend Jess to him if Jess finds a candidate who is willing to get nailed in the cross.
First off, the movie is indeed good and is a nice break from all the lovey-happy, teenage flicks that we're accustomed to. However, I'm not gonna rain too much praise on this movie because it doesn't deserve it. Don't believe the local critics, this film ain't no Crying Ladies.
What it is though is an all-around competent production, with generally decent acting, unfortunately stymied by a lousy script and non-descript cinematography.
The film has its great moments - moments which will make you laugh seriously hard - but these moments are few and far between and the dramatic elements fail to give additional impact for the moviegoers. The underlying relationships between Jess, his father (played brilliantly by J. Delgado), and his former girlfriend (Rufa Mae Quinto in another "I'm stupid" performance) lack the emotional strength which other comedy/drama hybrids have.
This is a not-so special but otherwise decent offering by our own producers and is something that Filipinos should not be ashamed of paying good money for. Now, if only I could say the same about other Filipino films... (3/5)
The good: competent all-around
The bad: not really all that good
La Visa Loca tells the story of Jess Huson (R. Padilla), a local taxi driver whose ambitions to go to the U.S. has been repeatedly frustrated by the U.S. Embassy's refusal to grant him a visa. By chance, he recognizes an American tv host/producer who happens to ride in his taxi. The producer just happens to have a brother-in-law who owns a nursing home in Florida and promises to recommend Jess to him if Jess finds a candidate who is willing to get nailed in the cross.
First off, the movie is indeed good and is a nice break from all the lovey-happy, teenage flicks that we're accustomed to. However, I'm not gonna rain too much praise on this movie because it doesn't deserve it. Don't believe the local critics, this film ain't no Crying Ladies.
What it is though is an all-around competent production, with generally decent acting, unfortunately stymied by a lousy script and non-descript cinematography.
The film has its great moments - moments which will make you laugh seriously hard - but these moments are few and far between and the dramatic elements fail to give additional impact for the moviegoers. The underlying relationships between Jess, his father (played brilliantly by J. Delgado), and his former girlfriend (Rufa Mae Quinto in another "I'm stupid" performance) lack the emotional strength which other comedy/drama hybrids have.
This is a not-so special but otherwise decent offering by our own producers and is something that Filipinos should not be ashamed of paying good money for. Now, if only I could say the same about other Filipino films... (3/5)
posted by NaCl at Wednesday, May 25, 2005
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