This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

A Reaction Paper for the Film Sisa On March 10, 2012, a 4:30 Saturday afternoon we were required to watch a film titled Sisa, directed by CJ Andaluz and Frank Rivera which was based on a character of Dr. Jose Rizal in his novel Noli Me Tangere for a PI10 class. I and a classmate have arrived in D.L. Umali a little bit late but not late enough to obstruct my understanding and comprehension of the movie. We were a bit jolted of how many people are going to watch the film, it is just, many. At first we were a bit uncomfortable though because there were no other seats vacant and we are forced to watch standing as with the many others who happens to arrive in the hall a little bit late. But later throughout the movie some people just did not finished the movie and got out, so we occupied their seat. The story revolves around Sisa, a character in Noli Me Tangere. But this film is not the "real" story of Sisa but a spin-off of the original, it is because her story is recreated by the film makers in order to assume a better portrayal of her in an otherwise immature or not in-depth enough personalization of her in the novel. Sisa was acted out by Jodi Sta. Maria which I think is not a good choice because of her whitish complexion which is un-Filipina. I just satisfied myself of the thought that maybe she got some Spanish blood in her as the novel did not mention any of her lineage. The film, story wise, is a good recreation of Sisa as it is innovative and creative in a sense that nobody I have ever attempted to do this kind of thing before. Who would think of creating a series of love stories and tragedies of an under embodied deranged character of a story? This film is the first I have heard so I became initially captivated by how the story of this familiar character but with little history will be recreated, and it did not disappointed me. The film is set in the Philippines under the Spanish control. Sisa in the film is portrayed as a typical 19th century women characterized by being elusive, reserved, "mahinhin" and soft spoken person. The story started from the love story of Sisa before she became the wife of Pedro. This part, for me is a creative part of the recreation of her story as it is said that she have a different love interest other than Pedro and it also resolved my confusion of how Sisa married such a good for nothing husband. It is implied here that Pedro is harassing Sisa in the first place because Pedro is obsessed with her and in return Sisa did not have any affection for him but for another person named Juanito. And because of insecurities, disappointment or maybe just sheer maniacal way of expressing himself, Pedro raped Sisa. After this Sisa was forced to marry Pedro and this is the part where the actual story of Sisa started in the novel Noli Me Tangere. The direction of this part of the film for me is funny because of how the way Pedro was portrayed; you will either pity him because of how the way she was being rejected by Sisa or hate him because of his way of approaching her. All in all I think this part is pure substance but lacks creativity in the direction of the acting of the actor/actress; trite, generic and funny. The middle part though gave my compliments to the film because it carried out and manifested the full potentials of the crew involved. The story continues from the marriage of Sisa to her actual story in the novel. The relationship of Sisa and Pedro is changed from the novel as he was portrayed still as an irresponsible father but with a catch, the film just intensified his being irresponsible, and gambling-addicted husband into a still irresponsible and gambling-addicted person but with the addition of being maniac, inhuman, sadist, sexually aggressive to the point that I thought of him as being schizophrenic, in short, a living demon. But I like it though because it is an essential component of the building of the mood of the film. The film became more serious at this point because there was no absolutely no humor, just pure sadist- martyr interaction compared to the earlier part. This is also the part where the story of Basilio and Crispin stems out. Given that Filipinos are expert in sadist-martyr, rich-poor, bully-underdog, you name it, portrayal, the direction of the brother's plight is emotionally moving. The later part is where the entire story's complication has resolved. I consider it as the best part of the film because of the world class acting of Jodi Sta. Maria showed here. It should be noted that this is the part of her story where her transition from being a caring mother and destiny-molested person into a deranged woman. That transition is the best acting I have ever seen from a Filipina and it makes me proud to think that we, after all this decades of soap operas, have become masters of drama and tragedy. In conclusion I really recommend this film to every Filipino at heart. Truly, this film is a masterpiece. It showcased and represented the talents of Filipinos/Filipinas when it comes to a drama/tragedy movies building of the mood, creating of the story, acting out of the scene, the lightings, the ambiance, the actor/actress, it is just pure heart.

Every film has its strengths and weaknesses. At times they qualify on certain aspects and wane on others because of elusiveness. Ambitiously persistent, the character Sisa is brought again in the limelight. But its light has faded and turned dim. The historical perspective lacks precision. Its elaborate set design is a bit quizzical. The set of clothes looks like a tailoring made for an amateur high school play. Its deliberate use of theatrical style did not correspond to the very aim of the film which is characterization, centered on human emotions. The characters in the film come out as embellishments and caricatures. This material is so grand which needs to be backed by a good financier. But why not give all you got if they believe in their undertaking.Narcisa "Sisa" Dalangin (Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson) is a young Filipina lass living during the Spanish Occupation. She lives with her grandmother Ising in a tiny hut. Pedro Magbuhos (Carlo Maceda) tries to get Sisa's empathy. But Juanito (Christian Vasquez) is more esteemed to seize Sisa's heart. Things changed when Pedro disclose a hearsay to the Guardia Civil that Ising is a member of the cult group Confradia. This prompted her to be imprisoned but later dies due to an accident. Soon enough, Sisa was caught by Pedro in the woods and was beaten and eventually she was raped. Then, they were married for that matter and had two children: Basilio and Crispin.I am quite confounded with the casting of some characters. Padre Damaso (Dido dela Paz) is supposed to be pure Spanish. That character is a complete bastard, but he must possess this imperative charisma in a wicked way which dela Paz has failed to recognize. Dona Consolacion (Aleck Bovick) has achieved a circus-like characterization in terms of makeup but her performance has tendencies to be over-the-top. The director must have guided her in delivering a bitchy attitude with a more humanitarian bearing. Maceda as Pedro is wearing a tight fitting pajama in the entire film which is deeply unappealing. It is just goofy in a way to watch period films with misconceived understanding of accurate clothing. The accessibility is more prioritized than suitable casting. But it is all true that bad casting ruins a great aspect of the film's authenticity and sincerity.Sisa's character is indeed the most vibrant character in the novel Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not). Aside from her surname, there is nothing new to my senses offered in this film. Andaluz's Sisa lacks vision to give a new perspective of Sisa that will mark his directorial debut. The execution is nothing triumphant. It has a certain feel of dreariness. At some point, you might suspect the directors' lack of confidence over the material itself. Filipino Period Films must enable to convey or let a feel to the audience of a certain degree of authenticity. It did try to experiment with its editing technique to make it more contemporary and appealing to the youth but it is not careful with its function. That is why its result looks cheap and gimmickry. Its zoom lens is all used up just to give some spice to each scene but has not achieved a positive effect that it purportedly put across. Instead, it gives a severe confusion with its technique.Something that is right in this film is no other than Sta. Maria-Lacson herself as Sisa. I could feel her endeavor to rightly portray a delicate character. Sisa lost her reason and state of mind in the end, indeed. But it's her heart that is most seen. She made us understand the significance of her plight and her passiveness. Her acting is not perfect but it's most favorable I have seen in recent years. And she is an attractive Sisa. This makes me wonder of the implication of the controversial confrontation scene between Rizal and Sisa. Jose Rizal knows Sisa during childhood. Rizal knows that Sisa did have a happy life. Sisa is with her lover contrary to what is narrated in the story and in the film. Although the confrontation is a bit staged, Rizal answers her back that Sisa will forever be in the heart of every Filipino.Rating: