 |
| Stolen Moments |
The film succeeds as far as the psychological portrayal of Alex is concerned. As he rises in social class, he falls in strength of will and integrity. In the beginning, he works hard, towards the end, he becomes completely servile to Carol and Quentin. Alex is a slave to his desires, to Carol's passion, to her father's wealth. They could have played out the complexity of their role as social agents in more cinematic detail. The film fails, however, as far as social content is concerned. Society is not really to blame for Alex's tragedy, his sex drive or his heart is more clearly at fault. By focusing attention on Moreno and Locsin, Borlaza diverts the viewer from the crux of the problem. The story is really Rodriguez's, in a sense, both Moreno and Locsin are only supporting actresses. But because the two actresses are more popular than Rodriguez, Borlaza is forced to give them equal screen time. Moreno and Locsin are merely indispensable objects of Rodriguez's lust and love. They are there to clarify his situation, it is he who develops in the story. A similar problem plagues the direction and the acting. The movie's first part is promising. There is an earthy realism about it which contrasts sharply with the stiltedness of some of the later scenes. It is when he moves away from the slums and into the manicured suburbs that Borlaza runs into trouble. It is trouble which most filmmakers seem to trip on, a kind of misconception about the way rich people act, speak and think. The best illustration is Alma Moreno's socialite, who invariably keeps her nose in the air and her eyelids lowered disdainfully. And Miguel Rodriguez seems undecided about playing his part as a brooding young man or a dashing gigolo. A pity, because Stolen Moments could have been an excellent study of an individual's tragic loss of will.
Direction: Maning Borlaza
Sceenplay: Jose Javier Reyes
Director Of Photography: Sergio Lobo
Music: Jaime B. Fabregas
Editor: George Jarlego
Production Design: Cesar Jose
Produced By: Regal Films, Inc.
Release Date: May 28, 1987
3:25 AM
Interesting insights Jojo! Regal Presents used to air this from time to time. I totally forgot this, it's not until I saw just snippets of the film in the wee hours in cable that Alma pala did movie rin with Rio as magkaribal aside from Manila By Night.
I'm quite surprised that Maning Borlaza helmed this movie under Regal when he was very much identified doing drama films from Viva and Seiko.
Yes, the movie is loaded with slapping scenes hehe.
6:03 AM
Maning Borlaza made many movies for all three studios in the 80's. Stolen Moments is quite an interesting film. Unfortunately, he was unable to explore the many possibilities of his material. Instead, the rivalry between Alma and Rio became its focal point. Aside from this movie the two also vied for Al Tantay's affection in Bedspacers.
There are many slapping sequences indeed and Borlaza used them to his advantage by showing how Miguel Rodriguez's character ultimately lost his self-respect although I couldn't say the same about his acting...
10:22 AM
Hi Jojo,
Excellent review! Very well observed. I haven't seen this yet. Not a big fan of Maning Borlaza.
Regards!
10:30 AM
I received tweets wondering why I reviewed a film by Maning Borlaza. He has made many movies and most of them, commercially successful.
One doesn't have to be a fan in order to watch his movies. Give it a chance and you'll see what I mean...
1:54 AM
I remember watching Sharon movies back then in the '80s and most of them were directed by Maning Borlaza. I thought he made entertaining commercial films based on komiks.
You don't like ba Miguel Rodriquez's acting in general? I thought his role in Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos as abusive co-dancer/partner of Vilma is convincing. I remember his role too as Bullet when he was paired with Sharon. I just noticed his voice is too monotonous just like Jaclyn Jose hehe...
2:18 AM
Manunuri Nicanor Tiongson loved Borlaza's Mrs. Eva Fonda 16... He was behind many of Sharon's most successful movies and was responsible for re-inventing Snooky into a box office star with Blusang Itim.
I thought Miguel was excellent in Paalam, Bukas Ang Kasal Ko also by Borlaza, which was released a couple of years before Stolen Moments. It seemed that he was confused on how to play his part. Miguel also delivered commendable performances in I Can't Stop Loving You and Bilangin Ang Bituin Sa Langit...
1:52 AM
I believed Lorna is one of those faces the camera really loves. Kahit saang anggulo.
We saw Paalam, Bukas... in theaters but barely remember the flow of the story. I have yet to catch it again on cable in the wee hours. I totally forgot he was in Bilangan pala hehe..I like his role in that movie. Gusto ko 'yung eksena na lasing na nagkakasayahan sina Miguel at Tirso at binibiro si Nora.
5:19 AM
Paalam, Bukas Ang Kasal Ko had many shortcomings. the only thing worth watching was Miguel's performance in the movie. i remember being surprised by what I saw dahil hindi ko naman inaasahan na ganon siya kahusay. He has worked with Brocka in Experience but his performance leaves much to be desired. In To Love Again, he was, just like you said, monotonous. It was in his later movies where he showed na may ibubuga din pala siya sa acting.
8:06 AM
Miguel was once tagged as Christopher Reeve of the Philippines as I remember. Although there was a time that Toby Alejar uncannily resembles Christopher, too.
8:32 AM
I remember before sa Flor de Luna na sinabi sa publicity that their next guest ay kamukha ni Christopher Reeve then they introduced Toby Alejar sa soap. In my opinion mas hawig si Miguel kay Christopher although it was only mentioned during the early part of his career lalo na during the promo of To Love Again and Experience...
12:59 AM
Nice. I don't recall na that. Nakakahinayang lang at nawala agad sa showbiz, Miguel became a better actor as the years went on.
4:33 AM
Miguel had a lot going for him at the beginning of his career since he was being groomed as the next leading man. Unfortunately, the lackluster result of his first two movies at the box office relegated him to supporting roles. Stolen Moments was one of Miguel's very few movies where he was cast as leading man years after he was introduced in To Love Again and Experience.
10:29 PM
From what studio was Miguel exclusive when he was starting? Viva o Regal ba? I remember in the '90s he also figure in some adult drama starring with Cristina Gonzales in films like Maiinit Na Puso. I believed it was Cristina's string of nonstop movie releases that time hehe.
6:00 AM
Miguel was under contract with Regal when he started. Experience was shot first although To Love Again was shown a year earlier. Many thought that Mother Lily was responsible for the failure of Miguel's feature film debut. The Claudia Zobel starrer, Shame opened on the same day as To Love Again and was a hit at the box office.
When Experience was finally shown, it was a critical and commercial flop. Miguel tried to redeem himself by appearing in worthwhile film projects such as Virgin Forest, Tagos Ng Dugo and Bilangin Ang Bituin Sa Langit. His work in the 90's was adequate...
2:10 PM
He's perfectly cast in Virgin Forest. I remember him, Richard and Joey in the popular sitcom, Palibhasa Lalaki. He died of bangungot daw?
5:54 PM
i thought so too Ron... Miguel's role in Virgin Forest was tailored for him and no other actor could've done justice to the part.
Indeed! he was once part of Palibahasa Lalake although he had to be slowly eased off the sitcom when he decided to run for political office. Apparently, Miguel's cousin went public and said that the reason for his untimely demise was due to collapsed pancreas...
1:26 PM
I thought Miguel had a very decent filmography in term of the directors who handled him.
Thanks for the insights again Jojo!
3:26 PM
Anytime Dennis!
At least he worked with the likes of Lino Brocka, Elwood Perez, Peque Gallaga, Maryo J. de los Reyes and Danny Zialcita.
9:34 AM
Hi Jo! I remember critics then (at the time of the film's showing) saying how Rio stole the movie from Alma due to Alma's "nervous/uneasiness" in several of her scenes. Was that accurate?
Thanks
1:17 PM
That observation was very accurate Carlo. Masyadong magalaw ang mukha ni Alma in all of her dramatic scenes. Rio was the better performer. In the hospital scene towards the end kapansin-pansin na uneasy si Alma while Rio was competent as usual...
9:54 AM
May isa pang pelikula sina Alma at Rio na pinag-aagawan nila si Lloyd Samartino,Unang Yakap ata ang title.
5:13 AM
That's absolutely right, Dexter! Unang Yakap was Alma and Rio's first movie together before they were joined by Lorna in Waikiki...