Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

The National Engineering University
Pablo Borbon Campus
Rizal Avenue Ext., Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 980-0385; 980-0387; 980-0392 to 94; 425-7158 to 62 loc. 1917
E-mail Address: gened.pb@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

Calabria, Barbie Joy C.

BSMA 2202
Movie Critique

I. The Introduction

"Jose Rizal 1998" is a famous movie directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, starring Cesar Montano as
Jose Rizal. It's a historical film loved by many in the Philippines. The story was written by
Ricardo Lee along with Jun Lana and Peter Ong Lim. The cast includes talented actors like Joel
Torre, Jaime Fabregas, Gloria Diaz, and Gardo Versoza. It was a big-budget film, costing over
80 million pesos. Released in 1998, it won numerous awards at festivals and award ceremonies,
including the Metro Manila Film Festival and the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Science.
It also gained international recognition, being selected for prestigious film festivals like Berlin
and winning awards at Toronto and Chicago.

GMA Films-produced movie about Jose Rizal is truly exceptional, offering the most accurate
and captivating portrayal of his life. I found Cesar Montano's performance as Rizal to be
outstanding, as he effectively conveyed both the passion and the profound emotions of our
national hero. While Joel Torre's depiction of Simoun was commendable, I couldn't help but feel
that his appearance didn't quite match the character's age. Mickey Ferriols and Gloria Diaz
brought a graceful and deeply moving portrayal to their respective roles as Leonor Rivera and
Teodora Alonso. Gardo Versoza's portrayal of Andres Bonifacio was incredibly powerful,
capturing the bravery and courage of the revolutionary leader. The actors playing the Spanish
friars and officials were so convincing that I couldn't help but despise their characters. While I
personally felt that Maria Clara could have been portrayed by a different actress, Jaime
Fabregas's portrayal of Luis Taviel de Andrade was absolutely captivating, evoking a range of
emotions within me every time he appeared on screen. The actors' delivery of lines with a

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Pablo Borbon Campus
Rizal Avenue Ext., Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 980-0385; 980-0387; 980-0392 to 94; 425-7158 to 62 loc. 1917
E-mail Address: gened.pb@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

Spanish accent added authenticity to the setting, and the meticulous attention to detail in
costumes and set design truly transported me to the Spanish era. I appreciated the incorporation
of scenes from Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which added depth to the story, although
I did find the use of flashbacks to be somewhat confusing at times. Overall, from my perspective,
this movie succeeded in presenting Jose Rizal's life in a sophisticated and memorable way,
leaving a lasting impact on me as a viewer.

II. The Plot and the Structure

Jose Rizal is a history-based film that narrates the life of Rizal,as well as the bitter strife of the
Filipino during the Spanish Colonization. The film started with Rizal writing about the hardship
of the Filipino under Spanish Rule. As the film begins, Crisostomo Ibarra, the main character
from Rizal's novel entitled Noli Me Tangere, was introduced, acting as Rizal's alter ego. Some of
the Spanish atrocious acts in his novel like the scene of Filipina being raped by a friar, or of a
child being abuse, were depicted and became are presentation of the same violence that Rizal had
witnessed in the real world.

After that, a scene with the Katipunan, headed by Andres Bonifacio was displayed. He was
leading the people to revolt against the smothering governance of the Spaniards. The next scenes
show how the rumor of Rizal being the initiator of the revolution had reached the Friars, and how
they violently interrogated Paciano, Rizal's older brother. After this, Rizal was invited to the Fort
Santiago where he was questioned about his involvement with the rising rebellion and about the
novel that he had written. This where his struggle in the hands of the Spanish government begun.

Then the scene jumped to Rizal's childhood when his brother was involved in the three martyred
priests named Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora, and when Rizal started to learn to read and speak
Spanish. Rizals were also sent to school to study. His childhood also entails the famous story of

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Pablo Borbon Campus
Rizal Avenue Ext., Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 980-0385; 980-0387; 980-0392 to 94; 425-7158 to 62 loc. 1917
E-mail Address: gened.pb@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

his mother about the moth drawn into the flames.Rizal also went to Ateneo to study where he
was bullied for his height. This issue about height and superiority was still experienced even
when he went to the University of Santo Tomas.Then again the story leaped to the present when
Rizal was exiled in Dapitan. This time he talked to Luis Taviel de Andrade, brother of Jose
Traviel de Andrade, Rizal's former bodyguard. Taviel introduced himself as Rizal's defender for
his case. In their conversation, they had tackled Rizal's writings especially the part when Ibarra
attacked a friar.

The story goes on with a flashback about the decision of Paciano for Rizal to study in Madrid,
Spain, for him to secure a better education and enough knowledge to help free his land from the
oppressors. Aside from this, he also aims to study ophthalmology for him to able to cure his
mother's eyes. During this time, he joined a periodic publication known as La Solidaridad. It is
with the help of this organization that he was able to continue publishing his works However, he
had conflict within the group so he decided to go back to the Philippines. Going back to his
motherland, Rizal created the La Liga Filipina, where he met Bonifacio who was so fanatic at
that time.

At this time, a conflict between the Governor-general and the head of the friar had occurred. This
cause the governor-general to lose his position.When Taviel invited Rizal to have a drink, he
received a letter from his brother about the growing brutality in the Philippines and a letter from
Leonor, his former lover, informing him of her wedding.

During the wedding, the part from Rizal's novel when Maria Clara became a nun and when she
died was also displayed. While Rizal's were reminiscing, Taviel had questioned him about how
his second novel had turned out to be so dark unlike the first. He cited the part of the novel
where Simon had tried to commit arson at a gathering where the Spanish friars were attending at.
Taviel asked if just like Ibarra had change into Simon, did Rizal also change his principles in

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Pablo Borbon Campus
Rizal Avenue Ext., Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 980-0385; 980-0387; 980-0392 to 94; 425-7158 to 62 loc. 1917
E-mail Address: gened.pb@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

life. The friar held a banquet where it was shown that the Friars were well respected by many
except Taviel. After this, the day came where Rizal had to defend himself to the court.

Unfortunately, the verdict had been decided, Rizal must face death as a punishment for a crime
he never did. The news had reached his brother and the Katipunan, to his family. His mother
together with his sister immediately visited him in the jail,saying their last goodbyes. Before they
leave, requested for them to accept a stove where he left a small paper containing a 14 stanza
poem. Prior to his persecution, Ibarra had shown up, telling Rizal of the chance that he has still
had, a chance to change and escape this situation. Rizal seems to realize something so he wrote
again.

And then the morning came, Rizal braced himself to the impending death that was waiting for
him. This part shows how Rizal marched to Bagong bayan to face his end. Together with his
death, his family read his poem, telling all his farewells. The movie ends with Bonifacio leading
the revolution and the Spaniards starting to fall under their feet.

III. The Critical Review

"Jose Rizal" is a captivating movie that skillfully weaves together past and present scenes,
maintaining a seamless flow throughout. I found it impressive how the film effortlessly connects
real-life events with excerpts from Rizal's novels, "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo."
This dual storytelling approach added depth to the plot without overshadowing the main
narrative.

The script was beautifully poetic, with each line delivering profound meaning and advancing the
story naturally. The conversation between Rizal and Taviel was particularly striking, For
example, once Taviel said, "Noon pa man ay mahilig ka nang bumangga sa pader (Even then,

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Pablo Borbon Campus
Rizal Avenue Ext., Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 980-0385; 980-0387; 980-0392 to 94; 425-7158 to 62 loc. 1917
E-mail Address: gened.pb@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

you always like to hit a wall)" and then Rizal replied, "Lalo na kung and pader ay di nagsasabi
ng katotohanan (Especially when the wall does not speak the truth)." The words were comical
and powerful at the same time, and this makes me memorialize those lines. As the movie ran, my
critical mind scrutinized the portrayal of all characters involved in the movie, heard the sound
effects used in the movie, observed the Filipino and Spanish culture, and criticized some
mistakes in the movie .

Watching the portrayal of the casts, Cesar Montano, as well as other characters, excellently
played their roles. In the movie, he showed Rizal as a writer, linguist, ophthalmologist, poet,
novelist,educator, philosopher, traveler and magician. The part in which he was shot was the best
part I liked most since the emotions and best acts were present. This part also caught the
audience emotions supported by the sound effects that made me cried. Almost all the characters
played their roles greatly like Joel Torre as Ibarra and Simoun, Jaime Fabregas as Luis Taviel de
Andrade, Gloria Diaz as Teodora Alonso, Gardo Versoza as Andres Bonifacio, Pen Medina as
Paciano Mercado, Jhong Hilario as prisoner servant, and other actors, as well as the extras.

When I am watching movies, sound effects forms part of how a movie be enlisted in my favorite
list. One I liked most is the Healer, a Korean series about a night errand boy, where the sound
effects greatly affect the genre of the story just like in Jose Rizal film, the sound effects in the
film made me a time traveler to go back in the Spanish era in the Philippines although I wasn’t
been made during that time. Watching the movie keenly, there are Filipino and Spanish cultures
that are presented in the film such as the typical Filipino culture of eating with all the family
members in a table and having a conversation with each other.

In terms of style, I personally, didn’t like the way the series of flashbacks presented each scene
since the flashbacks were not edited clearly. In fact, two out of five wouldn’t know what was
happening in the movie. I like the flashbacks in any movies but I hesitate to say that the editors

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Pablo Borbon Campus
Rizal Avenue Ext., Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 980-0385; 980-0387; 980-0392 to 94; 425-7158 to 62 loc. 1917
E-mail Address: gened.pb@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

may lack knowledge in editing with flashbacks or possibly the technology in the country during
that time was not advanced as the technology in Japan.

In terms of costumes, the characters wore clothes that imitates to the clothes used in the Spanish
times in the Philippines. Cesar Montano gave justice in wearing clothes suitable for the character
of Jose Rizal; the guardia civil also wore clothes appropriate for their identities; also the friars
and other casts wore clothes depicting their roles.

The cinematography played great effect in the movie. The cinematography was good at their
times but lack of lights in the movie Jose Rizal caused a little criticism. I cannot watch it clearly
since the lights are limited unlike any other movies even at night or in the dark; I can still
appreciate the scenes. The photography in Jose Rizal movie was good but a little concern with
the cameramen, I can see annoying movements of cameramen that are not being part of the
movie.

The acts were very good especially the dialogues delivered by the characters. The love of
country, the affection to the family, the care for his loved ones, the physical harassment, the
sexual assault, the racial discrimination, the injustices, the frailocracy, the haciendas owned by
the friars, the guardia civil and the social cancer were all presented in the movie.

One things that caught my attention critically was the scene and dialogue, thrown into river or
into the lake? The scene and dialogue between 0:47:16 – 0:47:17 puzzled me if Crisostomo
Ibarra’s father was thrown into the river or into the lake. In the movie, Joel Torre as Crisostomo
Ibarra said that his father’s body was thrown into river while in the Noli Me Tangere, his body
was thrown into the lake. What is the right one?

Indeed, the three-hour long Jose Rizal film was great: the casts gave justice to their roles; the acts

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Pablo Borbon Campus
Rizal Avenue Ext., Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 980-0385; 980-0387; 980-0392 to 94; 425-7158 to 62 loc. 1917
E-mail Address: gened.pb@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

and dialogues played important matters; the sound effects were fitted to its historical genre; the
cinematography was ideal; the settings were appropriate and brought back me to the Hispanic
era; and the director greatly gave justice to Jose Rizal and his two novels Noli Me Tangere and
El Filibusterismo.

The actors delivered standout performances, immersing themselves in their roles and effectively
portraying their characters. It was remarkable to see the dedication of the cast, especially their
ability to speak Spanish fluently. Despite the passage of time and the emergence of other
historical films, "Jose Rizal" remains a must-watch due to its enduring impact and ability to
evoke feelings of patriotism. Overall, it is a film worth investing three hours of your time in,
offering a powerful and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation