José Rizal (1998)

Movie Critique
 Introduction
Title: José Rizal (1998)

Genre: History, Drama, Biography

Release Date: June 12, 1998 (Philippines), December 25, 1998 (Metro Manila Film Festival)

Duration: 2h 58m

Director: Marilou Diaz-Abaya

Screenplay: Rick Lee, Jun Lana, Peter Ong Lim

Produced By: Gilberto Duavit Jr., Felipe Gozon, Menardo Jimenez

Starring: Cesar Montano (Jose Rizal)

Cinematography: Rody Lacap

Edited By: Jess Navaro, Manet Dayrit

Music By: Nonong, Buencamino

Product Company: GMA Films

Distributed By: GMA Films

Summary

Dr. Jose Rizal recounts his early life while we were still under the control of the Spanish
colonizers as he is imprisoned on treason charges. Along with his attorney Luis Taviel de Andrade and his
cell servant, he would talk and share anecdotes while he was imprisoned, mostly about life experiences
as they prepare for Rizal’s trial. His mother was his first mentor when he was a young child, and he
learned independence from his father as well as the harsh truth shown to him by his brother, forcing
him to change how he uses his name. Studying away from his family and loved ones, making his novels
Noli and El Filibustrismo, returning to his beloved country only being captured again by the people who
he so wanted only his country’s independence out off. Adopting his ideals to Crisostomo Ibara, the film
compares the shift in his views to Simoun's abrupt dark turn and very hostile tone as he backs rebelling
acts against his country's oppressors, who are also the Spaniards. Luis Taviel saw how this changed Rizal
while he’s telling his side on how to free his country with his education. In the end Rizal came to terms
with his novel’s character or his ideals, his loved ones, and finally himself before he was executed.
 Analysis of the Plot Elements

We start off to Rizal’s time living most leisure from his childhood on his family’s house with her
sisters, older brother and his parents. He started studying away from his family when he was a teenager
and would create bonds to his fellow Filipino students creating brotherhoods with the same students.
Things started to change when he finally reached adulthood where with him and his brother Paciano’s
secret pact for him to study abroad and to give hope of change with his education. This gave him the
drive to create his works, El Filibustersimo and Noli Matangere, as well as creating associations such as
La Solaridad which as proposed by Rizal, an association that brings transparency and interest to the
people of the Philippines but due to Del Pilar’s interest for it being privatized. Rizal eventually lost
interest and decided to go back to the Philippines to build another group called La Liga Filipina to help
our country along with his colleagues. Last but not least, we see him in his cell telling Luis Taviel de
Andrade these tales as they prepared for his trial, during the course of his sentencing to death, and on
the day of his scheduled execution. He is also shown coming to terms with himself, his family and loved
ones, as well as his character Simoun, who is an adaptation of his ideals.

Eventually we see him walk towards to the place where he says his final words and gets executed
putting an end to this movie.

Creative Elements

Dialogue:

In dialogues they would use Spanish, Tagalog, a little English, and a little German since It was the
four main languages encountered by Rizal. Characters converse in a traditional Tagalog and Spanish as it
seemed poetic whenever they converse to one another. When it came time for Rizal's trial, one of the
best dialogues, in my opinion, was when Luis Taviel gave his defense speech. Although the characters
knew the court was not on their side, they still proceeded, and for me, it was one of the best sequences
in the film.

Characters:
Use of Colors:

The majority of the time, I notice warm orange and blue tones adding a touch of emotion to any
scene where characters are feeling something. Blue is more frequently connected with sentiments of
melancholy, grieving, or gloomy emotions than orange is with sensations of warmth, love, hope, or
nostalgia. Such as the time he was abroad and he received a letter from Paciano asking if he was doing
fine. The blue tone of the room made it feel very alone, but it had a tiny fireplace where he could sit and
read the letter that made him happy. It was a relieving moment for him and me, the observer, to savor
the fleeting warmth and happiness.

Camera Techniques:

The camera techniques that I noticed were close ups, over the shoulder shots, panning to
characters and various settings. The close ups were the most iconic since it is used on dialogues between
Rizal from one or more people emphasizing his key role to this scene or what is the depth of his
dialogue. For example in the celebration of Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo’s paintings that won in the
Madrid. Rizal spoke on how they were the honorable sons of our country and the sacrifices taken to
make this accomplishment possible. When I was listening to him speak, this scene gave me the
impression that I was there, making every word he said mattered.

Tone and Mood:

The night before he was scheduled to be put to death is one of the best moments to include in
this category. His fictional character Simoun from his book appeared to him as he was having trouble
falling asleep and spoke to him about how his ideals had been misplaced and how he had lost sight of
what his passion was. Rizal was in denial and wondering what he had done wrong and what more he
could provide after all that had been taken and that all he wanted was peace. Then it struck him that all
of a sudden that it didn't matter what he wrote because it had always been his passion. As soon as he
realized this, he was able to embrace Simoun and all that had happened in his life.

Symbol and Costumes:

The most significant message for Rizal was when his mother recounted him the story of the
moth, and the coincidence that the insect died directly in front of him as a sign of a people sacrificing
even their life for freedom. On the other hand, the costumes were well-made, and it was easy to
distinguish between different factions in the movie, including the lower and upper class Filipinos, the
Spanish troops and their rankings, and the Friars.

Opinion:

It’s not always we see historical movies that this good telling the story of one of the people who
made the Philippines to what it is now. His story made it like I have known him up until to his death, the
world still was cruel to him yet he persevered to see through it till the end. He still kept his self-respect
as well as his respect to others until the end. He was a writer who loved his craft and although he had
no direct connection on the revolution he was still helping on his own way as he said “Change could only
be achieved through education” and he saw that through and to that I respect him even more.

Conclusion

The movie greatly touched me after I watched it, and I believe it succeeded in conveying Jose
Rizal's struggles and life. Rizal's life has been a great roller coaster because he had to sacrifice all for
others and accept death as payment. Despite this, he persisted in carrying out his mission. That was a
heavy load for him to carry from his life overseas, away from his family and loved ones, and from people
who expected a lot from him, but he persisted. Up until his inevitable demise, he fought with his pen
and paper and ignited the hearts of countless Filipinos. After watching it, I do believe that this film will
help future generations comprehend what our national heroes stood for and how it will help them
appreciate the significance of the subject of Rizal's Life and Works on a deeper level.