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‘Family History’ introduces a promising new movie director, Michael V.
There is a lot riding on “Family History.” It is the directorial debut of Michael V., the comeback project of GMA Pictures, and the two parties stand as co-producers of the movie.
And then there’s everything Michael V. has given “Family History”: He wrote the story, sketched the film’s storyboards, and wrote both songs that appear in the movie, “Ayoko Na” and “Bat Ganon.” His daughter Brianna sang one of them, and his wife Carol co-produced the film with him (Mictest Entertainment is the couple’s production company).
Michael V. looks to “Family History” as something of a calling card. “Parang, this is how I do movies,” said Michael V. in one of the many promotional interviews he’s done.
Now if this is how he does movies, then we can safely say Michael V. does movies well: He is super detailed, he has a good sense of scale, and he is funny. He knows when it’s time to deliver a punch line, and when to go easy with a joke. His comedic timing is perfect.
But “Family History” is categorically a drama. It’s about a family exploring life as it unravels soon after one of them gets sick.
It’s a pretty simple premise, and one many of us are familiar with. But as the movie shows, such situation is often unchartered territory for pretty much anybody who goes through it. There is no one way to react when confronted with terminal illness. This is where “Family History” comes in.
All at once, the audience will become aware that this is Bitoy’s movie; his personality, his interests, and his TV career show themselves quickly. Comic books get a nod for instance, and in not a few scenes, he employs a few techniques he’s picked up from his years in TV production. We become conscious of all this, because we know enough of Michael V.
We know, too, that he is brilliant and in “Family History,” he demonstrates just how so. He is an exceptional storyteller. When you see the movie — and please see the movie — notice how the story keeps pushing forward.
At times, the movie may feel stuck in a scene or in a feeling, so slow and indulgent, but quickly you’ll learn it’s just a setup for the next scene, or a necessary twist to the story, or provides continuity for all the seemingly random details peppered throughout the film.
And then there is Michael V.’s acting. He is convincing as Alex, a simple man so content with his life, he unintentionally becomes a luddite in more ways than one. He doesn’t see the need to upgrade his gadgets for instance and forgets that relationships, even with family members, require some tending.
Meanwhile the world continues to turn: His wife May (Dawn Zulueta) is a successful decision-maker in her job, and their son Malex (Miguel Tanfelix) is experiencing all that college can offer: a girlfriend (Biana Umali), extracurriculars, tests of friendship, encounters with bullies.
The movie is all of two hours long, but it is peppered with so much detail there is always something to notice, a joke to laugh at, a cameo that will take you by surprise — the movie’s playtime doesn’t matter.
And it really doesn’t matter too, especially when you get to that scene where you will have been gripped by "Family History" so hard, it will feel like there’s a rock stuck behind your throat and suddenly, you’re trying your best to stifle your ugly-cry. There may be more than one of such scene, so prepare.
You’ll feel your heart get chipped a little, a memory of your own experience dealing with a family member getting sick surfacing through the cracks.
Then you realize that’s the movie’s magic: It’s a little too familiar, it's a little too real. It could’ve been your story being told.
Which is not to say, “Family History” is a perfect movie. It is not. There are sequences more fitting for TV for instance, and not a few scenes involving Anna (Ina Feleo) feel a tad awkward and put-on. The character of Alex could’ve been tightened a bit more, which is just in our humble opinion.
But it’s hard to argue with all the heart and all the truth that “Family History” carries; such technicalities of taste become inconsequential. It’s like missing a call from a telemarketer as you wheel your dad into the ICU, or forgetting to confirm a work presentation because your dad's team of doctors called for an urgent meeting. Who cares, really? There’s a lot more important things to consider. “Family History” will remind you of all those important things. — LA, GMA News
Family History is in Philippine cinemas nationwide.
