Film Review: 100

(First published online on November 9, 2009)

A dramatic independent film that touches one’s emotional side covers this Chris Martinez’ film entitled 100. It was not quite explained in the film why the title was 100 though it gives the viewers ideas regarding the title’s relation to 100% acceptance of the earthly facts such as dying.

The film starred Mylene Dizon as Joyce De Leon, a victim of cancer that bravely faced her illness by living the remaining days of her life in doing things that made her happy. It was described in the film how people act towards the situation. The different levels or stages of acceptance which include the denial stage were also shown in the film. Joyce never undergone the stage of denial but it was her relatives who felt hard before they began accepting the fact that Joyce will sooner die.

She resigned from her work, did the weirdest things such as kissing a stranger and found the things that were sentimental to her including her favorite toy back when she was a kid. She also treasured the remaining days of her life along with her best friend played by Eugene Domingo. They visited places abroad, had a make-over and did the things that they were supposed to do during their school days like being drunk in night bars at Malate.

As Joyce accepted her situation, she also had an early preparation for her wake and burial. She chose the cheapest coffin, made a presentation and hand-outs telling what happened to her and she asked her former assistant to distribute it during her wake. She also chose the songs that shall be played at her funeral.

Even though it was hard, as an optimistic woman, she strongly accepted that everyone will die and it’s just that she will die earlier. She is no longer afraid since she believes that 100% she will go to heaven. What she’s afraid of is the idea that what if there is no second life, what could happen to her. As Joyce ponder over it, her best friend insisted that she must no longer think about it for even if there is no second life, she is already dead to find that out.

I can say that it was a huge production for even though it was only an independent film, it shocked me in terms of the location that they’ve had, the list of stars that portrayed the roles and others.

The production was good; it was properly edited and the shots were artistically done. I personally like their manner of presenting a heavy dramatic theme such as this story in a light manner that will make you feel the real situation undergoing the main character and the people around them. The Filipino ambience was also touched in the film including our characteristics such being religious and bonded especially in cases of difficulties.

The acting was also great and the three main stars performed their characters well that somehow puts you in the situation that they have been undergoing. I personally want to commend Eugene Domingo for playing a very versatile role in the film. From her comedic image, she proved in the film that she can play in any genre.

Overall, 100 is a good film that according to other sources, they truly deserve the different awards and recognitions that they received. May the Philippine Independent Film Industry invest on stories such as this and they must no longer concentrate on feeding the sexual fantasies of the people.