Known to be the most anticipated film in 2014’s Cinemalaya, “Hustisya”, a film by Joel Lamangan, has explicitly depicted how unfair justice is and sticking on the term itself, has not dignified the expected justice on a superstar’s film.
Nora Aunor, in the name of Biring, is the trusted right-hand of Vivian (Rosanna Roces) whose job is under a bigtime human trafficking agency in the country handled by corrupt politicians and police officers. Biring is portrayed as a terrified probinsyana over the busy and complicated streets of Manila. As an aide of the human trafficking queen Vivian (Rosanna Roces), she does rounds in delivering money and does transactions in the business with her signature bag, umbrella and water jog.
A conflict transformed the whole story into the other way around – when Vivian shot her lascivious partner to death leaving the act of murder to Biring. She got imprisoned where she met Atty. Gerald (Rocco Nacino) who transformed her into a tougher and hard-hearted Biring.
The narration wasn’t new at all. The two hours length of the film was told in a way that the character and the story moved in a circular narrative. Biring got imprisoned to a case she’s innocent about, got freed by the power of evil politicians to police officers, replaced her wicked boss Vivian, and then turned to embodied Vivian herself (even committing her own murder) because of the benefit and the money she gets from the business.
Justice was depicted in the different stories of the characters in the movie. From the plot of the story, it pictures the sad reality of justice here in the country, politic-oriented and of course, slow and sometimes impossible. In the case of the libidinous consort of Vivian, he will never attain his deserved justice as the story of his death will only be a part of an unwritten history. The innocent inmates in the prison cell where Biring was jailed will no longer attain the life behind the bars as only God can justify their guiltlessness since accusations of their crime is strong enough to prove the mess they had made. The overseas dreams of the young boys and girls has gone with the wind because cruel people like Vivian’s group exists; how their mindset of gaining a legal and peaceful money to bring home to their families turned to a dirty fruit of an illegal activity. The cry of justice of the son of the slayed journalist whose only intention is to tell the world that such evil doings prevail the society. The love that has not rewarded by the husband of Biring’s daughter (Sunshine Dizon), and lastly, the once soft-hearted Biring has vanished.
It must be noticed as well some peccadillos in the film. One of which is the choice of actress as Biring’s (Nora Aunor) daughter. Though Sunshine Dizon is known for her undisputed acting skills, she doesn’t seem to fit the role. Asking me why is this, her skin tone doesn’t fit Aunor’s plus her height as well (only if the father is that tall).
There was also this scene where Biring has visualized the cancers of the society: illegal drugs, prostitution, rape, murder, stealing, poverty, maladies, human trafficking, name it. Though it was effective, in my opinion, it looks very theatrical. Another to this scene is the moon that she looked at. The meaning is clear, that it metaphors that Biring has chosen the melancholy side but how it was presented was repugnant for me, it looks very computer-generated.
Added to my list of scenes that has not given justice is the metaphoric act of Biring going up into the balcony of Manila City Hall. This particular scene has insinuated a lot of maybes on the message, how she throws pieces of papers where her sins and wishes in the noisy Manila were written and prayed. This is s strange activity for me. Again, in my opinion, the character that the writer wanted to show in Biring’s role is so deep. So profound that no simple person will ever think of doing it so. Just also to note, I haven’t saw a stranger going into that part of Manila City Hall (not sure if it is restricted or it’s just no one is interested in going there).
There are also these scenes where the superstar’s acting was awkward. There are comedy lines which doesn’t click on her delivery. It only goes to show that Aunor’s mastery is on drama. Her shock and scream on the part where she has killed the journalist who is hungry for exposé (Romick Sarmenta) turned to be funny. The laugh at the end of the film was also awkward.
The catch of the film is in the latter. What Atty. Gerald (Rocco Nacino) has whispered to Biring. The message was left to the viewers, how they will form their conclusion on the untold message given by Atty. Gerald.
Given the weak points of the film, Nora Aunor is the only Superstar to portray that kind of role. The drama connoisseur has never failed to nail tear-jerker scenarios. Actors on the film did their best to give justice on the story. Great portrayal especially on the prison scenes, such reality feels. Their individual role has given a taste of cringe on what is really happening In the Philippines.
I must say, that even though there are flaws on the film, it is worthy of watching. This film is really about catering the greatness of Nora Aunor when it comes to this genre of stories. It only shows that she has given justice in Filipino film-making.