Movie No. 141. Cinemalaya 2013: DEBOSYON

Debosyon (2013)
Director: Alvin Yapan
Cast: Paulo Avelino, Mara Lopez

Synopsis: Mando, a Bicolano devotee of Ina, Virgin of Penafrancia, injures himself in the middle of the forest. A mysterious woman, Salome, found and nursed him back to help. They soon fell in love. But when Mando invites her to come with him to the plains, Salome refuses. She holds a secret that will devastate Mando's love for her.

The synopsis is easier to understand than what the film was trying to tell or show to the audience. The incongruity of scenes after scenes is quite annoying. Paulo Avelino, in my opinion, is miscast for the role. Mara Lopez as the 'mysterious woman' is so irritating in a way that she never looked mysterious at all. The movie itself failed to make the character of Salome mysterious. The balls of fire chasing Mando in one scene was so forced. The secret mentioned in the synopsis, when finally revealed, was ridiculous.  This is easily the worst film in this year's batch of Cinemalaya films.

Rating: 0.5/4.0

Date seen: January 29, 2013