I'm no movie expert and my experience with production is very limited. So this review is purely based on stock knowledge and how I felt about this year's new breed entry, #Y. Firstly, I have no idea what the movie was about and all I knew was that Elmo Magalona (one of my fave idols) was taking the lead role as Miles. At first I was doubtful if I'd really watch it since I havent been supporting Julie's shows (para kasing unfair na Id support Elmo pero kay Ja waley.) But since I stumbled on Saab's blog on the making of the film, it has captured my interest. As Jeff said during the Gala, #Y is not an advocacy film but just a showcase of how it is to be a millenia, to be in the Generation Y, to be a 20-something. #Y was more of a showcase of a selected portion of the Generation Y, more specifically the shallow #richkidproblems. Partying. Drugs. Sex. It's a universal topic for this generation but why was it only for those in the upper middle class? It could have been nicer if they made Miles encounter people his age trying to fit in, partying like they're the the richest kid in town but in reality they're debt-ridden. Lia's (played by Sophie Albert) story was close to this thought but still she belongs to the middle class. Bring in some snippets of the slum teenagers. Those often called as "pasosyal". Because Im so sure majority of 20 somethings belong to this group, the upper lower class or the lower middle class. Even those in the poor areas have these kind of problems too. Also, It would have given flavor for Miles to think and probably change his suicidal tendencies that his better off plus a balance of the rich and poor (how different it may be in manner but similar in concept/idea/problem). or maybe Im just saying this (insert biases) because Im not a party goer, I dont do drugs, smoke, even drink beer. I hate the elitist. ha! Im a 20 something but Im focused on getting a good paying job to support myself with my Masters Degree and expenses since Im living away from home. I feel bad that there are kids these days that are "lost" in making sense of what life is to them and they're into superficial things in life. They feel hopeless even if they have everything they need. It makes me mad at Miles for being ungrateful and ends his life because he just couldnt find a reason to live. Its a bullshit reason, again shallow #richkidproblem. Lia is a representative of the very few who are struggling to fit in but still remain at least faithful to their principles. As she said "we're unicorns, a very rare breed." She shows the 'conservative' side of the Y generation and Miles is the male counterpart. (Insert some faney comments here : Lia is like Julie, perfect for Miles who is a bit similar to Elmo) Im not a fan of Coleen and Kit but I have to give them two thumbs up for portraying their roles very effectively that it came out so natural. Coleen and Kit's stories are also the male and female counterparts of being the liberal kind. Psychology, Biology and Sociology would agree of Ping's choices. Men have urges and their brains are hirewired to compartmentalize sex and love. It was a good tool to make the audience realize why men want sex and women want love. We have to understand the sexes to have better relationships. The religion subplot of the story was funny in a way it had hit hard on people who chose Catholicism but arent practicing to be Catholics. Im guilty as charged but unlike Coleen's role Im not that of a bad ass Catholic girl. Abbie's role (Chynna Ortaleza) was closer to reality, at least for me. But I also have an issue with how her character was sewn into the story. I find it a waste that her reaction (knowing that Chynna is a good actress) upon seeing a dead person (not knowing it was Bruce/Miles) was not given emphasis. It was too short, way too short. I guess a bit more exposure on her reaction would have tied the knot on her motivation for working and her role on Miles' life. This movie should not just be for teens, or for 20 somethings but also for parents, most especially for parents to help them understand their children and how to deal with generation Y's problems. SCORING (1 as lowest and 5 as highest) In terms of plot, its a 2.8 because Miles, the central part of the story, was shallow. Not that clinical depression,being bipolar are shallow issues but his story has no depth as to why he has these psychological problems. Thanks to his friends, who showed some facets of the Generation Y, the film made sense. On musical score, good job on putting life to some scenes. it's a 4. Props to Carlo Mendoza and Direk Gino for great cinematography. Thank you Carlo for keeping your word that it is what it is and not some peg from other movies. Although there is a feel of some Western cityscapes but I can still see the urbanized Manila. So my score is a 4.6. On acting. For Coleen and Kit, 4.5. For Sophie, its should have been a 4 plus too but since that bed scene with Moe was a bit awkward (and I envy you for kissing him hahah), Id give a 3.7. For Chynna, such a waste for the intro, but you're a 5! I cried when you cried. Syet! For Slater, you're role as Miles' imaginary friend was too difficult to pick up on first five scenes Id give you 4. For Elmo, not because Im your fan but because youve given Miles some justice on his shallowness and you've improved since Just One Summer plus you had that toned shoulders Id give you a 4 too. For production design, 4.8 plus Im amazed at the bar scenes. Smoky yet everything's clear plus the neon lights was great. Since I dont know the tricks on lights (did you use blue lights?) I find it amazing. For editing, I would have given you a high score because it was smoothly done but there were problems with continuity, like that scene of Miles and Lia on the couch at Lia's house. It was obvious that the angles of how they talked kept changing. Also that part where Slater was beside Miles before he jump off the bldg. It was not clean, too obvious that he was inserted or something. So my score is 3. Overall, #Y is a 3.8. :) So if you are wondering about this film, check out their schedules in Cinemas and just ask #Y.
