The best way to enjoy a movie directed by Elwood Perez is not to judge the picture in its totality, which could be exasperating but rather to look at it as a collection of inspired, outrageous and maddening moments. Big moments loaded with emotions they never fail to throw a story off course. And yet for all the ambitious intentions, these highly charged moments are strangely, almost always lacking in seriousness. Such off beat dramatics have persistently blocked the director's recognition as an artist worthy of such serious consideration. Elwood Perez's movies have been described as anywhere from sacrilegious to shameful and thanks to his more vocal detractors, his more sizzling pictures have never failed to attract the public's attention. Just when everybody thought that Elwood had cleaned up his act, along comes Alexandra (Cinematic International), his boldest and most daring effort to date. In this picture, Elwood Perez takes the subject of sex out of the bedroom and into the corporate world where lust and violence take on a strange sadistic twist. Alexandra tells the story of Sandra (Angela Perez), who has just finished secretarial college and ends up working for a multi-national corporation. Without her mother's (Liza Lorena) knowledge, she is sexually abused by her employer Mr. Cortez (Jaime Fabregas). Disgusted with the dirty old man, Sandra finds comfort in the arms of wealthy businessmen Rico Lopez (Val Sotto), Gerry Garces (Roy Alvarez) and his Uncle Freddie (Tony Carreon). She gives her body to all of these men but none of them is able to give her satisfaction and contentment.
While Alexandra does have something to say, it achieves neither clarity nor conviction, because the movie is derailed from its central intention by the long drawn out sex scenes. Concretely, the point of Alexandra's screenplay, which is out of focus to begin with, becomes even more vague and tenuous, when the movie decides that it is really interested in showing the myriad ways in which Angela Perez's body is manhandled by the three men she uses to escape from poverty. Similarly, scenes showing Perez stripping or swimming in the raw are repeated for no valid reason and lingered upon each time, with the camera strategically angled to catch her full breasts and caress her pudenda. Perez's sexual bouts visually rate a litany of lascivious details, even long after the point of the scenes has been made. Alexandra is tipsy and awkward in characterization. The movie cannot be faulted for its ambitious melodramatic push which is gluey and embarrassing but this is Elwood Perez in his daring attempt to discover mood. Alexandra is not a masterpiece but the movie is worth a curious look for its sheer boldness.
Directed By: Elwood Perez
Story By: Enrique de Jesus Serialized In Babae Magazine
Screenplay: Francisco Lopez
Cinematographer: Alfonso Alvarez
Musical Director: Marita Manuel
Film Editor: Augusto Salvador
Production Design: Bobby Bautista
Produced By: Cinemax International
Release Date: April 4, 1986
12:43 PM
Hi Jojo,
I have this one on VCD. I agree with your review, it's not a masterpiece but it can't be dismissed a well. It's weird to see Jaime Fabregas play a sex-crazed boss. I've always seen him play a respectable father-figure character in movies...he he he...
Regards,
RSE
2:12 PM
Hello Ron!
What I have is an old betamax copy... Alexandra is not a great film but it has something that other bold movies don't, an interesting story. The performances are generally okay although I could've lived without Liza Lorena's hysterics. This is not the first time played such a role. He was also a sex starved old man in Elwood's Puri...
2:45 PM
Nice observations JO regarding the flicks of Elwood Perez. I saw ALEXANDRA with Japanese subtitles in the 90's in vhs format. I believe that the vcd now in the market is the censored version.
2:53 PM
Thanks Ronald! The VHS copy you watched had Japanese subtitles? The betmax copy I have was released by Trigon. If the VCD was the censored version, I wonder where they got the copy? As far as I know, Cine Suerte still has Alexandra's master print, or maybe it's gone like the rest...
2:56 PM
Yes it has the Jap subs! I wonder if this film was screened in a festival in Japan during those times? Any idea, Jo? Can you list also some of the films of Angela Perez?
3:02 PM
Maybe Alexandra was released on home video in Japan. I remember there was a copy of Alapaap on ebay with Japanese subtitles. I know that Angela Perez was first launched in Laruan with Carmi Martin produced by Falcon Pictures, Viva's sister company.
3:12 PM
ALAPAAP was auctioned on Ebay? Was Angela Perez launched to full stardom in Regal Films' HAYOP SA SARAP? What a title!
3:16 PM
It was at one point. I'm not sure who eventually won the bidding. Angela Perez never made a movie for Regal. She co-starred in the film Musmos with Olivia Ortiz, Ricky Davao and Patrick dela Rosa the following year.
12:58 AM
hi jojo/ronald,
could u upload a uncensored version of alexandra on to the internet via rapid share. Great fans following for that movie in india.
kiran
3:49 AM
I'm sorry but I have no idea how to upload a movie on rapidshare, just buy a copy of the VCD instead. Thanks!
8:38 AM
Jojo,
Just an FYI, rapid share is a form of piracy. Anyway, I like and agree with your commentary on all Elwood Perez films. Thanks.
2:45 PM
Hi Jason,
I have no intention of uploading the movie on rapidshare, I wouldn't know how. Thanks a lot... Elwood is a good filmmaker if only he would be consistent on the kin of movies he makes. There's great moments in each of his films, I just wish they would all be in one movie.
5:50 PM
What exactly is on the uncensored version? I thought the VCD was uncut cos there was a lot of full frontal nudity. There was one scene though with Jaime Fabregas where Angela Perez was naked from the waist up shot through blinds where it sort of looks like something was edited out.
2:16 AM
I've not seen the VCD release so I have no idea what the difference is with the betamax copy I own...
6:30 PM
Oops didn't realize this was actually Angela Perez and not Vivian Velez haha. Incidentally what is the most daring film Vivian Velez has done? I seem to remember she did a scene where she was running naked. Angela Perez appeared in Bigats right? Or did I get my bold stars mixed up again?
11:44 PM
I wonder whatever happened to Angela Perez and Christina Crisol who also had a small part in this movie.
1:33 AM
Hi Angelo!
You're right, Angela Perez was one of the leading ladies in Bigats. I think Vivian Velez' most daring film would be Kasalanan Bang Sambahin Ka? where she also delivered her finest screen performance...
1:36 AM
I have no idea where Angela Perez is but I saw Cristina Crisol in one of the episodes of Wish Ko Lang. She has gained so much weight but that beautiful face is still there... she's married at nagtitinda na lang siya sa palengke somewhere in Cavite.
7:34 PM
Angela Perez was featured in ABS-CBN's TV Patrol three weeks ago. She got involved in a hit-and-run case in Olongapo. She was driving her car when she accidentally hit a child. Still attractive but not as gorgeous as before. She could still pass off as a "hot cougar."
8:00 PM
can any one mail the website id where i can download this movie please
7:31 AM
can some one please give me the link where i can download this movie.I am desperate. And my id is aries6484@gmail.com please provide me this.
i am thankful to you all...
7:01 AM
can some one please give me the link where i can download this movie.I am desperate. And my id is ckrock_1949@yahoo.com please provide me this.
4:23 AM
hi ronald,
I am searching for cd/dvd of ALEXANDRA... Of Lust And Ambition. if you have please send to me. I am in India. my mail is mksdelhi@in.com. if you reply then I will email you my Address.
Manish Singh
8:48 PM
Hi All..
can u anyone post the movie of ALEXANDRA.
Regards,
sury...india.
2:17 AM
Can anyone provide this cd i will pay for it please i love this film appurf@gmail.com number 9704888680 india state andhra pradesh