WHERE IS THE LIE

Marupok AF / Where Is The Lie

(Cinemalaya 2023 Opening Film)

Directed by: Quark Henares

Isang babae ang mahilig mang-catfish ng kapwa.

Kahit alam mong mali ang ginagawa nila, nagiging nakakatawa ito dahil comedy ang atake sa mga eksena.

Mahusay at nakakatuwa si Royce Cabrera. Bagay sa kanya ang karakter. Plakadong plakado niya. Mapapa-palakpak ka sa ilan niyang mga eksena. Kay Maris Racal, ika’y magagalingan. Pero sa kanyang karakter, iyong kaiinisan. Natural ang aktingan na naibigay ni EJ Jallorina. May kanya-kanya silang personalidad na masarap pagsama-samahin.

The direction is compelling, piquing your curiousity since the movie started. You want to know more about the story and the characters. The songs are fitting, making you more connected to the scenes. The pacing is quick and not boring. The editing and transitions are also smooth (except for the latter part).

Watching this movie is fun.

But catfishing is never fun. 

The first half of the movie got us with its entertainment value. But as the story unfolds, you ask for more. That value decreases as lies take over the whole movie.

The repercussions of catfishing are barely felt. The layers of it weren’t discussed. The catfish scenes were stretched for too long without going deep with Maris Racal’s character.

EJ Jallorina’s character felt like a special participation and her story felt like a side plot. The movie suddenly bombards us with messages about the trans community—even if the movie didn’t talk about it that much.

Sa huli, kasinungalingan pa rin ang siyang nangingibabaw sa lahat. Mapapaisip ka minsan kung may bahid ba ng katotohanan sa kalokohang ginagawa ng mga karakter.

Kung totoo ang nararamdaman nila,

then where is the lie?

The movie made you ask for more questions than provide a satisfying conclusion. It compels open discussions than close endings. Nakakatakot at minsa’y nakakagalit dahil may kakayahang manloko ang pelikulang ito sa kung ano ang tama o mali. Sariling moralidad mo na ang siyang gagabay sa’yo.

Lies can be deceiving. This movie can be deceiving.

Walang marupok kung walang manloloko.

WHERE IS THE LIE / MARUPOK AF

Rating: 3/5

Cast: Maris Racal, EJ Jallorina, Royce Cabrera

Presented by: ANIMA Studios

Distributed by: Solar Pictures

Date Released: August 4, 2023 as an Opening Film for Cinemalaya 2023 in PICC; July 10, 2024 in Ayala Cinemas nationwide

A Movie Review by: Goldwin Reviews

Storytelling:  3.5

Emotions:  3.5

Screenplay:  1

Technical:  3.2

Message:  1.5

AVERAGE SCORE:  2.54

CT: 3

PD: 3

ED: 4

MS: 3

SD: 3