MAGNIFICO:FILM REVIEW

As a brief review for the mentioned film, i

PLOT

In regards to the plot, the movie started out with the introduction of a 9-year old boy named Magnifico,
who lived in a typical province with his family, and known for his dedication to provide the needs and
wants of his loved ones despite his young and still-incapable age. One of the main concepts emphasized
in the movie was his efforts to build a coffin for his ailing grandmother and his plan to take out his
disabled sister to a carnival. He wanted to aid his family’s financial problems by making advanced
preparations for his grandmother’s burial. At the first half and midpart of the movie, it focused on the
intentions of our young protagonist and how he managed to shoulder the financial needs amidst the
difficult situation and condition he and his family was in. The movie showed a clear perspective of his
family’s shortcomings and at the same time, exposed the naivety of our protagonist. It showed how
Magnifico prioritized these problems above than his own well-being. As the plot slowly unfolds, his
relationship with other minor characters were also buil, such as Mang Domeng (the rich man who
owned a wheelchair) and the lady landlord in the cemetary. After finishing the preparations for the
burial and a trip with his sister in the fiesta carnival (in which many characters provided financial aid for
him), the plot unexpectedly took a melodramatic twist. As Magnifico ran hurriedly to meet with Mang
Domeng, the main character got hit by a vehicle and faced unexpected death. Many mourned for his
death, and as to accentuate the tragedy, the coffin he built for his sick grandmother became his.
Ironically, Magnifico’s demise is what glued his family into one. It also showed the sadness felt by the
Characters he was in close terms with, and also those who didn’t show hints of consideration for him at
the start. Magnifico’s death became the resolution and turning point of the film.

CHARACTERS

Magnifico, a 9 year old boy with selfless intentions, was introduced as our well rounded protagonist. He
was known as an optimistic, dedicated, yet naïve boy who selflessly considered others and driven by the
need to fulfill the needs of his loved ones. As he faced more problems, especially in financial terms, he
developed realizations about the reality of life at a young age, but his good heart and intentions didn’t
change. He faced his problems in a responsible manner, while still being the same naïve, selfless
protagonist who solely wants the best for his family.

His family included his grandmother Magda, who was diagnosed with dibetes and pancreatic cancer and
didn’t want to burden the family with additional expenses. His brother Miong, who was a student in a
Manila University but lost his scholarship. Helen, his younger sister who had a mental disorder and was
unable to talk. His mother Edna, who shouldered all the expenses, chores, and tasks in the home. And
lastly, his father Gerry, who provided for the family by doing various construction projects and felt
helpless due to his family’s impoverished situation.

Some minor characters included Isang, a rich girl who was also the love interest of Magnifico’s brother
Miong. DOmeng, who still mourned for his mother’s demise and initially didn’t want Magnifico to
possess her wheelchair. Ka Doring, the cranky old woman who was an outcast rumored to be associated
with the dead. Carlo, a good friend of Magnifico who helped him in building the coffin and sold juice at
the carnival.
All the characters within the movie reached a brief development arc, in which every conflict and
relationship issues with one another were reconciled after Magnifico’s demise.

SCRIPT

The film Magnifico’s script was mainly structured from easy-to-comprehend words and expressions,
which in turn added a casual feel to the province setting of the story. The script contributed in
maintaining the light-hearted comedy at the beginning of the film and depicted minor scenes that
portrayed typical Filipino culture and tradition.

Visuals

The visuals weren’t given as much emphasis, but the organized setting of generating the impoverished
slums in Philippine provinces was a key strategy in connecting with the audience, as if letting us see the
scenarios the character’s were put into. It depicted the monotonous day-to-day routine of a typical
Filipino youth and the simplicity of a province. Some visual factors also created deep symbolisms that
gave out an indirect portrayal of some common Filipino aspects, such as the fiesta and carnival.

Sounds

The sounds were quite difficult to process but somehow it was unnoticeable. And considering the fact
that the movie was released during the 2000s, the slightly unperceivable volume of the character’ voices
didn’t had much negative impact on the overall movie. The soundtracks and musicals used also created
a deeper flavor of emotions, especially in key movie scenes.

DIRECTING

The timing of the transition from one clip to another could be regarded as smooth. Camera angles, on
the other hand, applied various movement and perspective techniques, allowing us to visualize the
movie as if we were a character inside the film. It applied certain angles where it was similar to the eye
view of an individual. The camera also focused in motion clips. The scenes were executed in a simple
way yet minor details were also given emphasis, such as the execution of the actors’ expressions,
pauses, and remarkable usage of symbolical objects and events.