Honestly speaking, I had qualms with the pinoy adaptation of the hit 2013 film Miracle in Cell Number 7. Uneasy feeling that it may not live to my expectation of being that sad and heavy as the original version was such a masterpiece for me. I would not want us, Filipino, to ruin it just like the so many times we have tried our pinoy version of some Korea novelas, and sad to say most of them fell short of charisma.
Miracle in Cell Number 7 is a Viva Films movie and is one of the 8 entry in this year’s 45th Metro Manila Film Festival. For the past 3 years, I shun away from comedy films for the simple reason that they do not deliver something fresh for the audience. Just like how I reminisced my puppy love days via Vince & Kath & James (2016) and revived my memories in the classic pinoy superhero Ang Panday by Coco Martin (2017). Comedy entries for the past years do not get tired of using the same old punchlines, making parodies and advocating to ridicule one’s appearance or disabilities to solicit laughter from the audience. A rehash of what was served before will not satisfy my craving and is nothing but a spoiled entry. A poorly written script with no wide imagination at works, and thus those past years, comedy films look the same for me, a rehashed, a recycled formula from the garbage pit.
As an audience that pays for entertainment, I want content. I want substance. I want quality. Luckily, I find this when I cast away my doubts and pay for my ticket for the movie Miracle in Cell Number 7. An almost 2-hour family movie of playing with our emotions. The story is built around Joselito which is played by Aga Muhlach and his daughter, Yesha, played by the adorable Xia Vigor/Bella Padilla. Their peaceful lives got flipped when Yesha’s mentally challenged father was accused of kidnapping, rape and murder of a 7-year old child. From there on, everything changes for the father and daughter lives.
The main casts were awesome on every scenes. The Aga-Xia father-daughter duo is a spectacle to watch. However, it is worth mentioning that the perfect ensembles for Aga Muhlach’s jail-mates have their best foot forward in this movie as well. They added a vibrant color to the gloomy fate of the main characters. Their characters are the foundation to keep the story from rolling. Their distinct personalities combination is an absolute riot of fun and laughter. And the story would have been unbearable to watch if not for these rowdy jail-mates in his cell.
Conclusion (a little political):
Miracle in Cell Number 7 is the exact movie that is befitting for our time today wherein innocent people are being persecuted and deprived of their rights. It is a depiction of how powerless the less fortunate are and how the one’s with power take control of everything. A timely movie that will make people realize that not all in jail are sinners and not all sinners remain a sinner.
PS: I had my heart ripped in this movie and got my eyes swollen. Lastly, I thought One Piece was my last post for this year. Gomenasai 🙂