Movie No. 52 (2014). Cinemalaya X: HUSTISYA

Hustisya (2014)
Director: Joel Lamangan
Cast: Nora Aunor, Rosanna Roces, Rocco Nacino, Sunshine Dizon, Romnick Sarmenta, Gardo Versoza

Nora Aunor's character (Biring) is ironic. She's generally kind-hearted. She's pious when in church or whenever she sees religious images. She's foul-mouthed. She works for a local human trafficking syndicate as the right hand of the leader, Vivian (Rosanna Roces), who, like her, is from Bicol. She delivers payoffs to "people that matter." 

The movie follows Biring as she walks through the streets of Manila while doing her "duties." Occasionally, she drops by the house of her daughter who doesn't approve of her involvement in Vivian's circle. Through these scenes we get a glimpse of Biring's character. But, it's hard to understand her actions without sufficient back story. I see Biring as someone who has become indifferent to the 'filth' of Manila due to years of involvement in the syndicate. When Biring gets framed up for a murder she didn't commit, then  gets out of jail through the manipulations of a young crooked lawyer (Rocco Nacino), and then commits actual murder, we get to see other layers of her character. Nora Aunor, using her facilities, really effortlessly pulls off a dark character, a role that she hadn't tried before. She still manages to shine in a movie that's problematic. The other cast also standout: Rosanna Roces, Mailes Kanapi, Rocco Nacino, and Romnick Sarmenta.

But the movie suffers from incoherence, particularly in the second half. Some scenes look staged. There's too much detour from the main point of the movie. Joel Lamangan's social commentary via scenes showing anti-government protests and graffiti in the backdrop of some scenes look too contrived and misplaced. The metaphoric tossing of letters and money from the clock tower of Manila City Hall to purge her guilt is, in my opinion, is unnecessary. Leading to the conclusion, the metaphoric walk-through of Biring in a dark street (where all the 'filths' of manila are on display, as if in a tableau) ending with dark clouds eclipsing the moon is a welcome suggestion for Biring's total immersion in the crime world. And that mysterious last laugh is iconic.

Rating: 2.5/4.0

Date seen: August 2, 2014