FlickFlops: Sa ‘Yo Lamang
“Sa ‘Yo Lamang” may resemble a lot of elements from the 90’s movie “Tanging Yaman,” but rest assured this one is different.
The film, produced by Star Cinema with Laurice Guillen at the helm, is a story about a Filipino family. About ten years ago, Franco (Christopher de Leon) leaves his wife Amanda (Lorna Tolentino) and their four children for another woman. Dianne (Bea Alonzo), being the eldest child, assumes responsibility and helps Amanda raise the younger children.
Eager to make up for his mistakes, Franco suddenly comes back to everyone’s surprise. As expected, his return opens old wounds in the family.
The film brings to life a common scenario in broken homes. A typical drama, bits and pieces of the film tap the audience’s emotional side (some scenes even made the man next to me cry buckets). But more than the drama and the powerhouse cast, “Sa ‘Yo Lamang” has its highs and lows, its hits and misses.
The Misses
Coco Martin as the prodigal son
After watching Coco Martin play the role of Ramon in the television series “Tayong Dalawa” and Ringgo in “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo,” his role as Coby may have been another step to being stereotyped as a prodigal son. There is no doubt in his acting abilities and his portrayal was convincing but it didn’t stop me from asking if what I was seeing was Coby, Ramon or Ringgo.
Lorna Tolentino’s breakdown scene
When Amanda (Tolentino) discovers yet another secret of Franco (De Leon), there was a scene where all she did was cry (almost hysterically) and throw things in the room to prove her point. If you watch a lot of local films, you’ll know that a lot of films use this typical tactic to express anger and depression. Considering Tolentino’s caliber as an actress and Guillen’s creativity as a director, Amanda could have expressed her emotions in a more subtle, but powerful way.
Several subplots
Other than the main plot, all the characters have their own sub stories and issues to deal with. While they help the audience understand each character, they’re also reminiscent of several “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episodes.
In creating a star-studded movie, is there pressure in the end for the producers to make sure each actor has the opportunity to shine?
The Hits
The Chemistry between Enchong Dee and Miles Ocampo
James and Lisa (played by Dee and Ocampo) are the younger children of Franco and Amanda who barely have any memory of their father. The two seem to have a bond of their own, free from their elder siblings Dianne and Coby. They were credible in their roles and Ocampo’s portrayal was worth a second look. She started as child actress in the 2004 series “Mangarap Ka,” and it seems that she is ready to embark on young adult roles.
The Musical Scoring
The overall musical score may not be groundbreaking but it’s clever in its timing. Some of the more important scenes conveyed emotions sans the music and actors, especially Tolentino and Alonzo, who were successful in making their connection to the audience.
Passing the torch: From legends to young actors
De Leon and Tolentino may be considered two legends in Philippine cinema and it was interesting to see them act alongside a younger generation of actors. In scenes where most characters are present, nobody was left behind in their craft. Both De Leon and Tolentino were generous enough to allow the younger actors to shine and show what they are made of.
Bea Alonzo
If I could single out one actress in the film that truly showed what she’s made of, it would be Bea Alonzo. The hard-hearted Dianne flawlessly shifted from a loving child to an unsympathetic daughter when Franco came back. She was convincing in doing both and even if she’s usually crying in her roles, Alonzo shows a new dimension in her capacity as an actress in this film. With “Sa ‘Yo Lamang,” she seals her place in the film industry as one of the most promising actresses of her generation.
If you’ll ask me if you should watch the film, I’d say yes. In the end, along with its misses, “Sa ‘Yo Lamang” is an inspiring film that depicts how close our family ties are. There’s always room for improvement and I am confident that we can expect more from the younger actors in the years to come.
Yes, it can make you cry a river, but what’s life without a little drama?
source: Yahoo!
ASAP 2012
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