Film Review: Himala
In Tagalog, with English subtitles
I saw this film three times in the past: twice on TV, once on DVD. All these times the film quality was bad. The only saving grace was the greatness of the film itself. When it was announced that the remastered version of the film would be shown again on big screen, I made it a point to see it hoping for a different experience. And, indeed, watching it on big screen made me rediscover a great Filipino classic film and discover some salient points that, in my opinion, had contributed to the film's even greatness.
The film is the story of a simple barrio lass (Elsa) who claims she has seen (and has talked to) Virgin Mary. Then she starts to heal people of their sickness; and people from nearby towns and pilgrims from all over the country flock to the once ghost-town-like barrio upon hearing of the miracle. Opportunists suddenly become enterprising. Politicians ride on the popularity of Elsa and her faith-healing miracles.
Screenplay (by Ricky Lee), direction (by Ishmael Bernal), performances and austere camera work all contribute to the film's greatness. The screenplay is a subtle commentary on blind faith. The complex characterization of attention-seeking Elsa, which Nora Aunor effectively and almost effortlessly conveyed before the camera, is superb. There are scenes that, if you just pay close attention to, will make you really appreciate Nora Aunor's genius as an actor. These are scenes in which she doesn't even utter a word. You should read on her face Elsa's transformation from one who enjoys the attention accorded to her by the multitude, to the disgraced heroine, and to the doubting and afraid fake healer in the end. Her confession before her followers in the desert is one that has already gone down in the history of Filipino films. The actors were all great. Most noteworthy are the performances of Spanky Manikan (as the skeptic documentary film director who wants to make a story about Elsa and her miracle), Gigi Duenas (as Elsa's childhood friend who ends up as prostitute), and Ama Quiambao (as one of Elsa's die hard follower).
In my opinion, Himala is (one of the) greatest Filipino films ever made, and, probably Ishmael Bernal's best.
Rating: 4.0/4.0
Rating: 4.0/4.0
Comments