Ike E
Himala portrays a harrowing ordeal of a rural woman isolated from her community, the world, and even her own adoptive mother. It perfectly encapsulates the duality and the impossible hypocrisy of Filipinos. An heart-gripping classic.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
06/06/23
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david l
Himala is a Filipino drama that deals with the dangers of blind faith and false prophets. That is not to say that it's an anti-religion movie as it is much more complex than that. The movie portrays the harsh reality of the Philippines, especially focusing on their poverty with that ending being both heartbreaking and unforgettable. The central performance from Nora Aunor is incredible in one truly outstanding, deep role.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
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Audience Member
Bernal's magnum opus is an unapologetic societal testament towards the human processes that precede fanaticism with such pervasive euphoria. I wouldn't say it condemns religion, but the lack of focus of faith towards the proper direction. The catastrophe during the last 9 minutes is no more disturbing than what religious institutions do today, and I applaud the accurate description of spiritual prostitution.
98/100
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/22/23
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Audience Member
Classic. The most popular Filipino film of all time is back in the big screens. Was there a change? Yes. Central Digital Lab in partnership with ABS-CBN restored the Ishmael Bernal masterpiece by using the most modern cheap type of digital converting technology, creating a high definition version of this 1982 film. The lighting is clearer and the scenes are more impactful with better screen colours. Itâ(TM)s as if it was reshot in 2002. Now for the content; of the ensemble, only Nora Aunor is standing, in fact she has given a chilling performance. Those facial expressions, even though they look like that of Kirsten Stewart worried expressions, are enough to explain the mood, theme, and dilemma of the particular scene. She has smaller script lines than that of her co-stars but she managed to execute every gesture perfectly and with majestic aura, even just by healing a sick patient. Her performance made the movie more realistic, like a documentary of a healer. Her co-stars, on the other hand, perform gawkily, unfortunately. The directorâ(TM)s way of instructing awkward gestures destroyed the very atmosphere of the film. Some scenes are pointless, useless, and if only the ABSCBN-CDL partnership have included cutting these scenes, then I couldâ(TM)ve clapped like an idiot. The supporting castâ(TM)s dialogues also lack substance and precision, itâ(TM)s as if the actors are waiting for each other before they throw their lines. The extras, according to accounts are 3000+, are the best ones. Iâ(TM)ve seen hundreds of films and these extras are better âactorsâ? than Noraâ(TM)s co-stars. The crowd proved that â~the people of Cupangâ(TM) is the main character of the story; that the miracles happening are within their selves and not from Elsa or any other spiritual elements and beliefs. And lastly, the story itself is a very powerful one which involves the very framework of our countryâ(TM)s rural and urban living, our faith. Aside from faith, it involves minor elements and concepts that are also affected by our faith. These elements are perfectly integrated and chosen while a religious phenomenon is happening. The belief of â~Healingâ(TM) is tested especially in one of the best scenes, the confrontation of the Elsa and Nina, when Nina, a literal whore, compared herself to Elsa for being a whore of miracles to people. Sequences and words in the film are so powerful that it all perfectly led to a climax that has presented the best realization ever from a Filipino film. The monologue before Elsa was shot is one of the simplest yet most prevailing and heaviest in all Filipino film monologues. She keeps on repeating her words but every time she throws these, hundreds of implications and understandings are striking her audience, her people. This two-minute dialogue destroyed the movieâ(TM)s catalyst and hurt the spiritual and cultural beliefs of the rural Filipinos. Such a classic film, it may look so primitive in cinematographic aspect but the point of view will live forever and now even clearer through the restoration project! Grade â" 74% (Story and Content- 30/40; Effects- 22/30; Acting and others- 22/30)
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/11/23
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Audience Member
seen it before... want to see it again after 30 yrs!!!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/24/23
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Audience Member
seen it several times- I want to see it again
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/24/23
Full Review
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