Ang Tag-Araw ni Twinkle (Twinkle's Summer)

Rating: (4 stars out of 5)
Cast: Ellen Adarna, Arnold Reyes, Cris Villanueva, Marc Acueza, Yan Yuzon and Pinky Amador
Director: Gil M. Portes
Screenplay By: Enrique V. Ramos
Genre: Drama
Film Festival: National Film Festival All Masters Edition
Run Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
MTRCB Rating: R-13
Release Date: September 11, 2013

Storyline
A former rebel who is dying of cancer appears before the retired military general who abducted and took for his own, the rebel's infant daughter during an encouter many years ago. Before he dies, the rebel asked to see his daughter who is by now a troubled teenager. The general agrees. The daughter, Twinkle, bonds with her real Dad while battling her own personal issues - drug addiction. The 2 fathers, hardened warriors who would have cut each other's throats given the chance, are forced to deal with their differences, only to find out at the end, they're not too different after all - except for their loyalties.

Acting
Acting is generally competent despite not having a 'box office' star - newbie Ellen Adarna was great with her underacting. She is both beautiful and credible. But I found her too mestiza to be the daughter of two very Pinoy-looking parents. The only exception for me was the acting of the 'bad' boyfriend, named Paulie. He was not convincing as a bad-ass dude. He had no edge or grit to him. It was like Kevin Costner playing Wyatt Earp - he just couldn't pull it off.

Script
The script was tight and well thought of, and best of all, it didn't sound like a script - more like a daily conversation you'd hear in a family talk. There was hardly anything that required filtration - no over-the-top hysterics, only appropriate lines without any nonsense fillers. Every line was essential to the story - you couldn't throw anything away. However, it could still have benefitted from "less is more". I felt that some lines (although kept minimal) were already implied without having to be said. But perhaps that's too much of a jump.

Review / Thoughts
The movie offers many layered dimensions to this human drama - the reconcilliation of Twinkle with her adoptive family, the instant bonding Twinkle had with her Dad, Twinkle's own personal issues, and moreover, the film did a really great job tackling the conflicting ideals of the two Dads who had to team up to see their daughter through her crisis.

I would like to see more of this type of film. This proves that we don't need high tech or big budget to come up with a sensible and engaging film that will make you feel that the 2 hours and P100 you spent were all worthwhile.

--- TheLoneRider

ps - If you want me to objectively review a movie for this website (premiere showing, filmfest, now-showing film, etc.), email me.

»» next story: Clobbered in a Vicious Karate Match
»» next Movie Review story: Bad Genius - movie review
»» previous Movie Review: The Road Home
»» back to Movie Review
»» back to Homepage

ARCHIVE: 2013 | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC

ALL YEARS | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014