BAR BOYS (2017): A FILM CRITIQUE

For law to be understood in context, the student must keep in mind that all law is created by

human beings. Like all other human creations, it is susceptible to human failings ( Justice

Leonen, 2019)

The story of Christian (Enzo Pineda), Erik (Carlo Aquino), Joshua (Kean Cipriano), and

Toran (Rocco Nacino) is followed in Kip Oebanda’s film Bar Boys. All of the friends are

pursuing their dreams of attending law school. Their friendship is put to the test after three of

them pass the admission exam since they have to balance their time between preparing for the

bar exam and spending time with friends, family, and loved ones..

The movie primarily focuses on tropes, with Enzo Pineda playing the rich, upper-class

youngster, Rocco Nacino the smartass, Carlo Aquino the modest, downtrodden one, and Kean

Cipriano the underdog who maintains their relationship despite everything as the main

characters. Characters are exceedingly simplistic, bordering on cliché, and predictable to the

point of drowning, with some making snap judgments without any justification, especially Chris

and Josh. Although some viewers might not like it, I enjoyed the way it interacts with the idea of

becoming a true professional lawyer. My only complaint is that Josh’s persona wasn’t really

necessary. While I understand his motivation for being there, he wasn’t necessary for the overall

success of the movie. Toran, Chris, and Eric each received thoughtfully produced individual

stories that made sense both independently and/or in relation to one another, but Josh’s

perspective as someone who was passed over while his old friends pursued legal careers would
have been welcome. He only made a few appearances in the second act of the movie, and it

almost felt as though he had been forgotten in the shuffle in the film’s second act with just

numerous pop-ups without us fully knowing how he coped with his “failure.”

Enzo Pineda’s character is a little underwritten, focusing only on his slick persona, ruined

connection with his father, and being a career-obsessed boyfriend who takes his fiancée for

granted. By the end of the movie, his character then makes significant choices that don’t exactly

fit with how he was initially established, as if viewing two entirely distinct individuals without

the justification of a proper psychological shift from act one to act two. Pineda had his amazing

moments of dramatic, emotive speeches, but it’s hard to ignore his awkward moments, possibly

as a result of being a novice amid a sea of top quality, seasoned actors.

Torran is your standard school prankster; in addition to being witty and a clown, he is also

surprisingly intelligent. Because of his allegedly photographic memory, he is quick-witted, but

he also understands the value of relationships. When he accepts a fraternity invitation, he

explains to his pals that by doing so, he will have a better chance of making it through law

school. But did his fraternity actually assist him with his residency? The movie didn’t make it

very obvious. As far as the movie is concerned, all we know is that associations like fraternities

and sororities will facilitate meeting people, make your stay a little more enjoyable and

comfortable by allowing you to attend events and receive some type of social support, and help

you make connections, as you get to attend parties and receive some form of special treatment

from associated professors.

Erik appeals to the audience and his fellow characters the most since he was born and reared

in a low-income home, with his elderly father serving as the primary provider. He is the least
skilled member of his circle of pals despite his dedication to his studies. Erik tries to live an

honest life, but there is a notable incident where he is overcome with the need to succeed in law

school. In one scenario, he makes an attempt to enlist the aid of his gay professor, but is

unsuccessful, who wants to get a better grade on his midterm in exchange for, perhaps, a sexual

favor. How did they justify their behavior in order to graduate from law school? They didn’t

because it wasn’t made clear.

As we watch individuals from many walks of life attempt to get to the top of the pedestal

and become well-respected lawyers, sometimes at the price of one’s dignity or ideals, Kip

Oebanda undoubtedly wrote a riveting account about a side of law school that is unknown to

many. We observe both people climbing alone and those bound together for mutual assistance on

their (quite tough) ascent to the summit. Even while our primary protagonists have their own

close call with slipping off, Bar Boys emphasizes the latter. Bar Boys did a wonderful job of

capturing the realities of law school students with the proper amount of fun and seriousness.

Necessary evils and the gift of friendship are discussed, both of which are necessities for

everyone attempting to survive. All combined, it gives rise to the possibility that the pedestal

may not only be built of marble but also contain obsidian filler inside its crevices.

In retrospect, it’s clear that the movie is essentially a barkada movie because the plot

centers primarily on the three buddies. It depicts the progression of friendship and highlights

how, with the appropriate group of individuals, friendships may endure. Bar Boys may have

overlooked its other characters as a result of concentrating primarily on the pals and their

separate experiences. Justice Leonen is right. Law school is subject to failings so you need to be
ready if you’re thinking on entering in legal field. Bar Boys’ intentions are good, but the way the

characters are created and written causes a bumpy setback. Overall, the film is hit and miss.