Pinoy/Blonde (2005)

Director:

Peque Gallaga

Writers:

Peque Gallaga (writer)
Lore Reyes (writer)

Release Date:

13 July 2005 (Philippines)

Genre:

Action | Comedy

Plot Keywords:

Dreadlocks | Drugs | Bag | Slash In Title | Punctuation In Title

Cast

Jeffrey Quizon	...	Andrew (as Epy Quizon)
Boy 2 Quizon	...	Conrad
Iza Calzado
Ricky Davao
Jaime Fabregas
Eddie Garcia
Manny Castañeda
Michael De Mesa
Cherry Pie Picache
Gina Alajar
Ryan Eigenmann
Gabby Eigenmann
Ian Veneracion
Richard Gutierrez
Joel Torre

Country:

Philippines

Language:

English | Filipino | Tagalog

Color:

Color

Certification:

Philippines:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Metro Manila, Luzon, Philippines

Company:

Unitel Pictures

Movie Connections:

References Burlesk Queen (1977)

All Smoke But No Fire, A Big Disappointment from Peque Gallaga

First off, I am a big fan of Peque Gallaga. He is one of the most brilliant and gifted filmmakers to come out of the Philippines. I have seen his Shake, Rattle & Roll series more times than I could count. I thought Magic Temple was the work of a true artist and Gangland was pure visceral genius. And if there is one true great epic film in Philippine cinema, it would be his masterpiece Oro, Plata, Mata.

So upon entering the theater, I was excited beyond belief. His first film in almost 6 years. But halfway through the screening, I was already checking the time, wanting the film to end already. Pinoy Blonde is a overly reflexive, self-indulgent, pretentious film masquerading as a satire that relies on pop culture references to hide its flaws, mainly in the script, the story structure and character development.

From the start, it was already a mess; a mish-mash of different plots and scenes that lead to nowhere. The fast pace of the film and its vibrant visual style didn't hide the fact that the filmmakers simply had no focus in making the film. You'd keep wondering what the end result would be; is it a social commentary? is it merely an exercise in visual style? an attempt at a witty screenplay? Even the film itself can't figure itself out as it doubles back and forth through ideas and concepts, with the two lead actors' overly loud exaggerated performances not helping the equation. As the film ends, you feel visually assaulted but at the same time, emptiness. And that would be the last thing I'd think of feeling after seeing a Peque Gallaga film.

With a film filled to the brim with brilliant ideas, they are never pulled off well. It simply comes off as "trying too hard" and as an example of cinematic excess, big, bright, visual eye candy signifying nothing. A big disappointment from one of my favorite directors.