In Tagalog (90%), Mandarin & English with English Subtitles
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Director: Wi Ding Ho
Cast: Bayani Agbayani, Epy Quizon, Meryll
Soriano, Alessandra De Rossi
RunTime: 1 hr 33 mins
Released By: Cathay-Keris Films & Lighthouse
Pictures
Rating: PG
Official Website: http://www.pinoysunday.com
Opening Day: 16 June 2011
Synopsis: Overseas workers Manuel and Dado
leave their idyllic seaside village in the Philippines to
come to Taipei lured by the promises of money and a better
life. On a Sunday morning after attending church, they unexpectedly
witness a family drama across the street from where they are
eating ice cream, where an expensive-looking, brand new leather
sofa, is discarded on the sidewalk. They decide to bring it
back to their ragged dormitory in their outskirts of Taipei
so that they will be able to enjoy cold beers sitting on it
at sunset, bringing back the feeling of being home in their
Filipino village. Unable to afford any type of delivery service,
they start to carry the precious sofa across town, on foot.
Along this improbable and absurd journey, Manuel and Dado
encounter different archetypal characters, such as those that
are found in a globalized and industrial city, in often humorous
and poignant scenes. At the same time, their struggles with
infidelity and difficulties of leaving a family back home,
all come to light..
Their exhausting journey comes to a climax at sunset when
they face deportation because of a missed dorm curfew - all
because of the heavy couch they do not want to let go of…
Follows a magical scene by the riverside in which they finally
smooth things out between themselves by singing and playing
guitar under a star-studded sky. The following morning, the
two friends wake up with their couch floating down the river.
Although uncertain about what the future will bring them,
there is one thing that becomes clear to them: no matter what
difficulties lie ahead, they are ready for a new day, or a
new life because of the courage and dreams that are alive
in them.
Movie Review:
Instead of asking ourselves why no local director had thought
of making a comedy film based on foreign workers (this was
a popular topic during the recent elections, no?), we shall
instead discuss what a charmer this Taiwanese film is.
This
is definitely not your usual Taiwanese production: The fact
that it ninety per cent of its dialogue is in Tagalog tells
you so. It also features a Filipino cast whose names we have
problems pronouncing, and cameos by Taiwanese actors in blink
and miss appearances. The premise is simple and effective
– Two foreign workers Dado and Manuel discover a discarded
sofa in Taipei city and what was meant to be a routine Sunday
turns into a whimsical adventure.
Director
Ho Wi Ding and his co writer Ajay Balakrishnan has concocted
a delightful tale of perseverance and self discovery in this
entertainingly enjoyable movie. It helps that the two leading
men Bayani Agbayani and Epy Quizon have a charisma which is
endearingly appealing. Agbayani’s portrayal of the more
serious and responsible Dado is a nice contrast to Quizon’s
take on the carefree romantic Manuel who just wants to go
with the flow. The duo’s on screen chemistry is spot
on, making us want to be part of this hilarious adventure
of transporting the sofa back to their dormitory, just so
that they can enjoy the night breeze in comfort – with
beer in their hands, of course.
The
leading men’s female co stars do a decent job of portraying
workers trying to get by in a foreign land. Meryll Soriano
plays a domestic helper whom the wedded Dado develops a relationship
with. Alessandra de Rossi (you may remember her playing the
lead role in Kelvin Tong’s The Maid some years back)
takes on the role of a club singer Manuel sets his eyes on.
Elsewhere, you may spot familiar faces like Joseph Chang,
Bowie Tsang, Mo Zi Yi and Lu Yi Ching popping up in the least
expected scenes.
Those
familiar with Taipei’s sights and sounds will enjoy
the unique cosmopolitan feel painted by cinematographer Jake
Pollock. The smart choice of featuring a red sofa (it stands
out nicely against the dusty backdrops of the city) on the
protagonists’ road trip is also a testament of the filmmakers’
eyes for visuals. Watch out for a surreal scene where the
two friends sing along to a cheerful tune while floating down
a river on the sofa – it is one of those dreamlike sequences
which we wish can happen in real life.
Malaysia
born Ho made the wise decision to avoid the weighty issues
of social commentaries on the unfair injustices the protagonists
have to bear with in a foreign land. Instead, he weaves in
everyday situations that audiences everywhere can identify
with into this accessible 93 minute production. With a capable
cast and an ingenuous visualisation of the screenplay, the
director has made a highly recommended buddy movie which will
has both mass and critical appeal. This work earned Ho the
Best New Director accolade at last year’s Golden Horse
Awards.
Essentially,
this is a movie about the people we go through life with.
Throw in sprinkles of fun and laughter, and we get an honest
look at what we would do for the people we genuinely care
about.
Movie Rating:
![](../../image/mx%20star.gif) ![](../../image/mx%20star.gif) ![](../../image/mx%20star.gif) ![](../../image/mx%20star.gif)
(A charming winner which will leave you smiling about life’s
little pockets of joy)
Reviewed by John Li
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