Sakaling Hindi Makarating | Movie Review (Sort of)
In this age of hugot and travel, Sakaling Hindi Makarating suffice all the cravings we all have. It may appear to be a mainstream story of broken hearted girl trying to find herself by traveling alone into places but as far as I am concern, the hipster formula never gets out of style. The plot, the acting, the cinematography and the feels are collectively creative and thought provoking.
What makes this film extra special for me is Alessandra De Rossi. I’d be bias about her because I am a fan of this talented and beautiful woman. I would basically be struck if I see Alex asking for a room in front of my house. Her acting prowess for this film may be held back unlike her explosive kontrabida roles in TV but hey, her character is bored and broken-hearted. And she really felt serene and soulful. Pepe Herrera is literally the boy next door. I didn’t expect such deep serious tone from Kuya Benny. He’s a revelation. While JC Santos failed to connect to me, Therese Malvar entangled me with the fresh air she brought as she sometimes felt scripted yet joyful.
The plot is simple yet it kept you guessing on the mystery of “M”. I have to mention the relevance and beau of Cielo’s montage of memories. It helped me empathize more to her. The seemingly unintentional hugot lines and quirky jokes temporarily relieves the pain which also add up to the ever present desperation of Cielo to get rid of her hurts. This can be seen in the beach when she tried to chase the flying postcards. The metaphor is very effective. You can really feel her frustration to fill in her void and at the same time the hopelessness and uncertainty she’s trying to cover up. It kept me in my seat wondering “paano nga ba talaga maka-move on?”
Additionally, and most importantly, Sakaling Hindi Makarating made me brag about our country even more. Philippines is beautiful. And seeing it being captured is breath-taking. Wow! I whispered with goosebumps and teary eye as the drone shot of Zamboanga and Batanes is being projected. It left me with craving to sojourn the 7107 islands of our beautiful nation. Plus points for the creative and colorful little portrait used as a telegram of heart felt letters.
Just to mention, this film is made by a dream team of every young indie film enthusiasts: Hannah Espia (Transit), Petersen Vargas (2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten), Irma Adlawan (Oro), first time director Ice Idanan and Alessandra De Rossi (Azuzena). Wow, right?
“11 years lang yun. It’s nothing compared to the rest of your life.” -Paul
Sakaling Hindi Makarating left me with a very existential truth about life. Regardless of our effort to ease the pain, we can only truly be free if we surrender and accept the truth. May it be a broken heart or a mess we’re into; for whatever it’s worth, let it go and move forward. We are not define by our hurts and mistakes. Rating Sakaling Hindi Makarating with 4/5.
