José Rizal (1998)

Pen as Weapon, A Classic Filipino Film Worth Everything

Jose Rizal is a movie reflecting the real events that happened in the life of Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. Released on the year of 1998, it is considered as a classic artwork bearing positive impacts and sense of enlightenment to every viewer especially the Filipino citizens. It is a movie mainly focused on freedom and revolution as its theme. Thus, Jose Rizal as the central character of the story is the narrator and the one who elicits the movement of the plot which is concentrated on the discrimination and pure abuse of the Spanish colonizers.

This movie is crowded by experienced and veteran artists of the industry. Ceasar Mantano who played Rizal is accurately engrossed on his role who is Rizal himself leaving every spectator no chance to separate his portrayal towards the factual Jose Rizal in person of his time. Pen Medina as Paciano Mercado, Jaime Fabregas as Luis Taviel de Andrade, Chin Chin Gutierez as Josephine Bracken, Ima Adlawan as Lucia Rizal, Gloria Diaz as Teodora Alonso and Gardo Versoza as Andres Bonifacio to name a few were part of the huge role list of the film. To use Spanish language as part of the script of this project is certainly demanding therefore hats off to every actor who is involved for the requirement. Although technology is unlikely modern to this era compared to the advance tools and methods of today, still the production team made a version that can fulfill anyone’s expectation.

Meanwhile, the very essence of the film revolves around on the truths during the colonial period of the Spaniards to the Philippines. Hence, the story reveals topics and issues that are complex and sensitive if to discuss back in the actual era of the Spaniards. The movie makes a great nostalgic feeling to its viewers. The culture, beliefs, and values diligently followed by everyone back then were seldom obeyed or forgotten by the current young generation. A sentimental person like me would truly be enticed by the naked splendor of this film that describes the former way of life of the people.

Needless to say, above all, one objective of the movie targets to the element that reserve for the awareness of the future youth. How Jose Rizal did started all his hopes for the reform of the government policies. How his simple idea of writing to the people has elevated the courage of the native Filipinos. Why did he yearn for equality and freedom from oppression the most? All of these ambitions were formed for the desire of identity, that Filipinos are never inferior to every mestizo and mestiza.

With regards to the whole conceptualization of the film, it was arranged in a wise scheme. Visualizing all the specifics of the life of Rizal would indeed create a lengthy outcome. However, on this work, all details in Rizal’s life were put into a flashback which is an excellent technique to tell a story. Even the scenes on his novels were inserted and connected to every phase of the movies to show connection on how his life and the characters of his narratives were similar. From his experiences when he was young until he went to Ateneo and Sto. Thomas to his expedition to Europe then the time when he finally published his books and how these records received different kinds of feedbacks were all detailed in the movie. This can’t be felt in a premise of two hours and thirty minutes since the film contains every possible means to make the audiences thoroughly engage.

Subsequently, Jose Rizal the movie serves not only entertainment but also educational functions. Deeper on this movie’s foundation is the verity that Rizal has sacrificed his one and only self for many number of Filipinos on that era who desire for liberty. This is to remind how precious our current sovereignty because of him and the other heroes who bled for independence and identity of their fellows. Hence, as what he has emphasized and has argued, education is the key for improvement and now that it is free it should be cultured by all.

Rizal also highlighted that freedom cannot just only be obtained through forceful and bloody actions. Peace can also be achieved by nonviolent measures. As a proof for that, Rizal used his own talents in words and language to describe and depict the hidden injustices of the colonizers in every details of his story, articles and propaganda. This silent method of regaining the freedom for every Filipinos have led to revolution all over the country, has involved many individuals but also resulted to victory.

Therefore, Jose Rizal movie is truly a worthwhile production. To every late Filipino generation, this is a significant representation of time that has been lost long ago. Jose Rizal as a national figure is known by many for his famous name yet most youth of now are even unaware of the depth of his purpose. Jose Rizal’s wisdom varies and will be always a source of strength in periods of ups and downs. He left a great legacy which is freedom and identity, as a Filipino, we are forever indebted to him and to many other heroes of the motherland.

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Must Watch Jose Rizal Movie

Even though I already have a copy of the movie, I still decided to watch this on the cinema, taking advantage of MMFF50. The experience watching this on the cinema was well worth it.
While I don't think this movie is as creative as Bayaning Third World in demonstrating the life and legacy of Rizal, I still think it's creative in its own way. I love how the movie inserts Rizal's works Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo (especially their main character Crisostomo Ibarra/Simoun) to compare what's happening in those books to what's happening to Rizal and society. In it's own way, it also portrayed Rizal as someone who was daring two write two novels that portrays the ill of Filipino society at the time of the Spaniards but also as someone still resistant of a grand revolution rather than just reform.
I also appreciated how they portrayed Rizal as a normal kid, having his own struggles as a child before he was able to excel as a young student (I'm not about the complete truth, but my impression of Rizal based on most things I read about him was that he seems like someone who is brilliant at all things even as a kid). Plus I like the fact that not all Spaniards are portrayed as pure evil in this movie. I like Luis Taviel de Andrade, even as a Spaniard he has compassion towards Rizal and only wished him to be judged only via his actions (it's refreshing to see Jaime Fabregas in this role, I'm so used to seeing him as either evil Spanish priests or officers who only want harm to Filipinos).
The shots in the movie are made with effort, the sets and the costumes are beautiful. The acting is also magnificent. I really wish I could praise Cesar Montano (he's good here but him starring as a lead in a Marcos Apologist movie kind of taints his reputation for me). Joel Torre, having played Ibarra in a Noli Me Tangere series a few years prior to this one. is also really excellent. I love that they got some of the actors from the aforementioned TV series to be in this movie again (though some not playing the same characters they did in the TV series). I also enjoyed Gloria Diaz as Rizal's mother as well as Micky Ferriols, Chin Chin Gutierrez, and Monique Wilson (what a beautiful singing voice as Maria Clara) too. All of these elements (acting, shots, sets, costumes) really did help enhance the movie.
I only wish Philippines can make more historical dramas/movies in the future. And I'm praying Filipinos will pay attention to these more than Star Cinema movies, which are mostly made with little effort and are very low quality movies except for a very few (I watched a few of their romcoms only because I like the actors in them) in my opinion. I hope GMA's success with Maria Clara at Ibarra and Pulang Araw will translate to film.

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