“The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros”
''Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros"
Phillipines- 2005
Writen By: Michiko Yamamoto
Director: Auraeus Solito
Starring: Nathan Lopez, Ping Medina and JR Valentin
How do you know when you've been a witness to true cinematic genius and fantastic story telling...? When you find yourself, as I did, shocked, surprised and upset that the end of the film has come and yet your mind is racing towards a thousand possible conclusions. The writer and the director of this truly amazing film haven't shared their ending with the viewer and it leaves you hungry for a resolution you have to create in your own mind. Having just had that experience, I realized that "The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros" is perhaps the best coming of age film I've ever seen.
Set amidst the crushing poverty of the slums of Manila, young Maxi played by Nathan Lopez is a 12-year-old effeminate gay boy who following his mother's death adopts the role of caregiver to his father and older brothers who are all petty thieves. Although, Maxi's sexuality is accepted by his family, a chance encounter with a handsome young police officer sets a train of events into motion that will keep you riveted to the screen.
One of the best things about the film is its unvarnished depictions of the tragic and often ironic circumstances that work together to influence Maxi's coming of age and his learning of life's lessons about love, family, and right and wrong.
Set amidst the crushing poverty of the slums of Manila, young Maxi played by Nathan Lopez is a 12-year-old effeminate gay boy who following his mother's death adopts the role of caregiver to his father and older brothers who are all petty thieves. Although, Maxi's sexuality is accepted by his family, a chance encounter with a handsome young police officer sets a train of events into motion that will keep you riveted to the screen.
One of the best things about the film is its unvarnished depictions of the tragic and often ironic circumstances that work together to influence Maxi's coming of age and his learning of life's lessons about love, family, and right and wrong.
I don't like to give away the entire plot of the story (a good synopsis is here), but I will share that as all good stories are, this film is also a beautifully tragic love story...
"The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros" easily earns a 5 out of 5 stars rating. It is an excellent film with surprisingly fine performances. The film has received numerous awards from film festivals around the world and was the Phillipines' 2007 Academy Awards nominee.
*******
"Fear Eats the Soul"
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