Film Review: "Silong"

IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES

By Pablo A. Tariman
Manila
September 20, 2015





        A film like “Silong” offers moviegoers a chance to explore another world and right into the strange labyrinth of the mind.



        In the beginning, there is reason to believe the character of Piolo Pascual as Dr. Miguel Cascarro is perfectly normal.

        But the key to the film is actually its teaser: “The deepest scars are the ones you can’t see.”

        The first good thing about the film is that it doesn’t talk much; it shows the present and plunges into the past and as you try to piece together the images, you know you are slowly discovering something out of the ordinary.

        Then this lady in distress named Valerie (Rhian Ramos) comes into the picture and the doctor comes to her rescue. He treats her wound and in the process succumbs to her charm; he can’t wait no longer as they make out on top of the dining table and the lady doesn’t resist.

        For a while, you can sense that this compassion for the “battered wife” is turning into romance. You cheer them as they engage in such lofty-sounding conversation in the garden and under the stars.

        Just as you thought the characters would settle down and start a new life, you get a strange view of how their minds work.

        It is disconcerting because the good doctor has the looks of a gentleman so generous to fault; and the lady looks vulnerable and willing to gamble on what looks like the beginning of a good relationship.

        When the film ends with a full view of the countryside house and with the doors closing, you feel like you were given access to the inner sanctum of the house without its owner knowing.

        It is at once disturbing and in the end, quite horrifying.

        Angel Jacob as the mysterious woman registers very well with nary a dialogue.

        Rhian Ramos as Valerie delivers a safe delineation without losing the dual nature of her character. It is a very daring portrayal and the fact that she tried it for what it was worth was a telling comment on her commitment as an actress.

        Pascual’s good looks serve him well in the beginning of the film until his character shows another unexpected layer. He has a good grip on the part but one wished he did just as well to provide a good character contrast. But his subtle approach actually succeeds to camouflage the character’s other side. It is just as well because as the teaser invokes (“The deepest scars are the ones you can’t see”), Pascual indeed has reasons to tone down the perplexing side of his character.

        Few Filipino filmmakers dare do films on this delicate subject and for this reason, you know that the directors can be highly commended for treading on the rarely untrodden path in filmmaking.

        Go and watch “Silong” (it is still showing in some theaters).

        You might end up discovering something in yourself you didn’t know actually exists.