 |
| Galawgaw |
On the other hand, the film also signaled the emergence of a reliable competitor to the young-star iconography of Sharon Cuneta. Soriano may not have the same Right-wing political wealth and back-up source but possesses the additional advantage of prettiness and sincerity. The terrible reality of this kind of image building exercise is that it doesn't matter to what end these young women have opted to devote what little talent they happen to possess, they could probably get away with taking its development for granted as Cuneta managed to do. The ideal entertainment ethic would be for us to relegate those strays to their proper positioning according to their potential contribution to Philippine culture. So in the meantime, that producers and audiences try to upgrade, consciously or otherwise their capacity for intelligence and independence, we remain at the mercy of the dictates of those who couldn't really care less about the quality of our creature comforts. In Galawgaw, we see this principle played out in the manner by which a leading man in a comedy gets handled like a leading man instead of a comedian. Nothing funny that Truman (William Martinez) does is of is own volition, unless it is to emphasize his already obvious pictorial superiority over most young actors. In the end this kind of approach becomes predictable, we get to know when the laughs are coming, indicated as they are by Soriano's presence and when we're only supposed to smile, which is when Martinez is around. And when funny bone responses are determined by factors beyond the work's inner mechanism, then the responses aren't really much fun in the end.
Directed By: Ishmael Bernal
Screenplay: Jose Carreon And Ishmael Bernal
Director Of Photography: Sergio Lobo
Music: Vanishing Tribe
Film Editor: Augusto Salvador
Production Design: Raquel Villavicencio
Produced By: Regal Films, Inc.
Release Date: March 12, 1982
7:16 PM
Hi jo. Maricel & William had such a great chemistry. How do you rate this one with Pabling? Ang linaw ng screencaps mo, release na to sa R1?
11:00 PM
Hi Jojo,
Thanks for the review. I don't remember if I've seen this movie before. I thought that Galawgaw is a Nida Blanca film. Is this a remake of sorts? And by Bernal, nonetheless!
Regards,
RSE
3:13 AM
I'm so surprised you haven't heard of this film at all, Ron. It's not actually a remake of the original, they just used the same title. Galawgaw was a follow-up of sorts to Bernal's Pabling...
4:19 AM
How will you rate this one with PABLING, Jo? I just revisit a while ago Bernal's ITO BA ANG ATING MGA ANAK?
4:39 AM
Pabling is way funnier and a much, much better film than Galawgaw. Although it features an excellent supporting performance by Bayani Casimiro, Galawgaw is a Maricel Soriano vehicle all throughout showcasing her superb comedic genius. I just wished it was half as brilliant as Pabling...
8:52 AM
Hi Jojo!
Just saw Galawgaw two weeks ago on cable and I'm dead set to watch it albeit aired at almost 2am! If only for Maricel's comedic talent like you said, it's an 80s comedy film and yes, Bernal at the helmed.
My only recollection of watching Galawgaw back then was in Regal Presents!
I thought this film is not just your typical pinoy comedy. A bit surreal if I may say so, you have William's 'bodyguard/alalay' who doesn't act like your usual alalay and Opalyn Foster's screeching voice!
Glad you post your review of this since I can relate after watching it just recently.
I have yet to see Pabling which I have missed.
9:16 AM
That's great Dennis! I saw Galawgaw when it was first shown in theaters and moviegoers went in droves to see it on the big screen. Galawgaw may not be in the same league as Bernal's best comedies such as Salawahan, Tisoy!, Menor de Edad or Pabling although it had great comedic moments. To me, the movie was a series of funny sketches that worked most of the time but unlike Pabling, it wasn't woven effortlessly into the narrative...
1:19 AM
I remember what Mother Lily said when she guested in Inside The Cinema like two years ago. She said that among her Regal Babies, it was Maricel who brought her 'kaban'. I could only imagine her movies like these are making a killing at the tills back then.
I saw Salawahan (sexy comedy with taste), Tisoy! (very, very funny!) and Menor de Edad also on cable. ABC5 (called back then) used to air Menor de Edad along with Gabun and Highschool Circa '65 at 12noon not so long ago. With Pigro as its main sponsor!
Totally agree with you, it's a series of funny moments with its main purpose, putting Maricel on the spotlight.
1:53 AM
I saw that particular episode of Inside The Cinema and Mother Lily was right in saying that Maricel was the biggest money maker among her Regal Babies. Most of her films were certified box office hits.
Salawahan is probably Bernal's best comedy, medyo asiwa lang ako sa performances nina Rio Locsin at Mat Ranillo III. Tisoy! is a little dated pero nakakatawa pa rin while Menor de Edad is just plain fun. Wala na ako sa Manila when they showed it on ABC-5. Kung ganon nasaan kaya ang kopya ng pelikula? Nakakapanghinayang naman...
5:02 AM
Jojo is this film released already in Region 1? Ang linaw ng screencaps mo.
12:20 PM
Glad you saw that episode Jojo! No less than Mother Lily na mismo ang nagsasalita.
I think that's in early to mid-90's when it was shown. As in paulit-ulit lang nilang pinapalabas 'yung tatlong movies. Of course, there are other tagalog films being shown but napansin ko na madalas ipalabas 'yung tatlo.
1:52 PM
I had the opportunity of working for Regal Films in the 80's... hindi nga lang ako proud sa trabahong ginawa ko but I've seen Mother Lily in action. Nakakatuwang nakakainis magtrabaho sa kanya but I'l always have fond memories of the time I worked at Regal.
Talag? Paulit-ulit? Sayang... nasaaan mna kaya ang mga pelikulang yon?
1:31 AM
You mentioned nga sa 'kin before, something in the art department ba? Mother Lily is an 'interesting' person according na rin sa mga nakatrabaho niya including you.
I have no idea sa'n na napunta 'yung mga films Jojo. Iba na ang management and even before nag-iba-iba na rin ang airings at nawala natuluyan ang pagpapalabas ng ganu'ng klaseng pelikula.
Sana nga in local tv magpalabas sila uli ng mga ganu'ng films uli regardless of tv networks or time. TV shows these days are really bland.
1:52 AM
Yup! Kung saan-saan na kasi napunta ang mga copies ng pelikula Dennis... Since paiba-iba nga ang management hindi nila ma-track ang inventory ng mga movies. Each network should have a database of the films para madaling hanapin. I'm really hoping na sana maipalabas uli ang mga pelikula sa TV... most of the time there are available broadcast copies pero hindi naman makakuha ng permiso sa mga producers. Ang hirap talaga!
10:16 PM
If only they would help each other, sila-sila rin naman ang makikinabang. May audience pa rin naman sa mga old and reliable local films.
1:15 AM
That's exactly my point Dennis... Ang problema nga kasi hindi sila magkasundo sa royalty fee ng bawat pelikula.
6:46 AM
Maricel is missing now on the big screen even on tv and there are rumors circulation on the net that she's currently at the basement of a hospital in Makati. Nakkalungkot....she only needs critics' nod and she's up there already with Nora and Vilma.
6:48 AM
sorry....circulating, is it true?!
6:50 AM
Maricel is missing now on the big screen even on tv and there are rumors circulating on the net that she's currently at the basement of a hospital in Makati. Nakkalungkot....she only needs critics' nod and she's up there already with Nora and Vilma.
9:43 AM
Takot malamangan, pathetic 'di ba. May bansag pa silang tinatawag sa bawat station nila hehe..
3:36 PM
Siguro nga pero dapat bigyang halaga din nila ang producers ng mga pelikula...
8:40 AM
Agree Jojo.
3:14 PM
Dapat lang naman talaga...