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| Blue Jeans The campus scene has long been proven a sure foundation for getting laughs and Joey Gosiengfiao's Blue Jeans (Regal Films, Inc.) makes the most of teachers who terrorize, students who have no interest in studying and parents who think of education as an excuse to get rid of their children. The situations in the film are unfortunately familiar to anyone who has been to school. No education gets done in this educational institution. The laughs are provided by everyone in the cast, although special mention must be made of Celia Rodriguez who steals the show several times with her portrait of self-effacing actress Aurelia Amador. Similarly, Rosemarie Gil and Freddie Webb are delightful as Dina's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Guillen. Orestes Ojeda, despite a badly written role, is impressive as Tonypet, Dina's patient suitor. Even the Apo Hiking Society gets laughs without laughing. The intent of the film is clearly commercial. Gosiengfiao takes pains to give Alfie Anido ample screen time, with the most flattering camera angles. Being commercial is not a bad thing especially if the director is able to transcend exploitation. Blue Jeans does not attempt much, but it achieves what it attempts. The film is very well written. The language shifts from colegiala English technically known as pidgin English to straight urban poor Tagalog. There are a few mistakes, but none significant enough to lessen the writer's accomplishment. The situations are stock but what the writer does is what counts and he keeps surprising this viewer with provocative lines. Blue Jeans is very well directed. Even the shots of Anido are organically incorporated in the film's visual continuity. The production design helps set the deliberately broad character of the comedy. The acting rises above the usual. Captivating is Margie Braza as Baby although she has to learn to use her face a bit more to express varying emotions. Dina Bonnevie is her usual brilliant self in her portrayal of Geraldine Guillen. Gosiengfiao could have made more use of her comic talents which she displayed magnificently in Schoolgirls (1982). Even Alfie Anido turns in a good performance as Joey Amador. This is surely a tribute to Gosiengfiao's coaching ability since Anido's previous screen appearances were not exactly memorable. Jenny Ramirez is marvelous as Laurice. Ramirez can combine verbal wit and body movement in such an effective comic way. It effectively bursts the stereotype of the haughty contravida. Only Joel Alano's Ralph is tentative in his characterization. Bernardo Bernardo and Behn Cervantes puts in great cameo performances. There are those who feel that commercial movies can never be memorable, who expects all films to say something profound about the human experience. That is like asking every college professor to have a Ph.D., asking everybody with a Ph.D. to publish a book and asking everybody who has published a book to be a genius. In other words, those who look down on commercial film set standards that they themselves can never reach. But if a film is both commercial and artistic, it should be cause for celebration even if it does not say very much. In Blue Jeans, Gosiengfiao has succeeded in making a commercial film without compromising his artistic integrity. Direction: Joey Gosiengfiao Screenplay: J. Sebastian Cinematography: Ricardo Jacinto Musical Director: Jun Latonio Film Editor: Rogelio Salvador Production Design: Jorge Hernandez Produced By: Regal Films, Inc. Release Date: February 13, 1981 |
12:16 PM EDT
Very well written & argued. How is it compared to Bagets? The Apo Hiking's song of the same title, is that the theme song for this movie? Or was the movie made because of that hit song?
12:29 PM EDT
Thanks so much Ron!
Blue Jeans is a different movie altogether. For one thing, it's set in a college campus unlike Bagets where the setting took place in High School. Apo Hiking's song was written primarily for the film, hence the title Blue Jeans...
4:45 PM EDT
Hi Jojo!
It was fun seeing this film again (without interruption!).
I totally agree, Celia Rodgriguez is a hoot in this film! The scene with her in Metro Aide costume is unforgettable. She has the most fun character for me in the movie. It reminded me of her agad in Summer Love!
Wow, a motherload of Apo songs peppered throughout the movie. The one I like the most is Show Me A Smile. Also a tidal wave of cussing! Ang lulutong! hehe...
Nice review on this film. Enjoyed reading it a lot.
7:05 PM EDT
I'm glad you enjoyed the film. The one scene that I most remember from the movie was the pork and beans scene with Alfie and Dina haha...
Celia was a riot indeed! I loved her scene with Jenny Ramirez and Bernardo Bernardo. Unlike their appearance in No Other Love, The Apo Hiking Society was in most of the film. Like you, I also loved the songs but my favorite would be them singing Batang-Bata in a whore house of all places!
You're most welcome Dennis!
2:16 PM EDT
Oo naman, ang haba pa nga e since mostly the songs ay tinatapos. The pork and beans scene yes, nauna pa sila kina Kim Basinger at Mickey Rourke haha...
Lalong nagstandout si Celia kasi magaling din ang kasagutan niya, no less Rosemarie Gil.
Batang Bata sequence was also memorable too...hindi ko malimutan ang dialogue na B***** ni Mary Walter as Mamasan haha...
I had a field day watching that movie in the wee hours.
2:45 PM EDT
Magkaiba naman in many ways yung eksena nina Dina at Alfie kina Kim Basinger at Mickey Rourke. Campy ang atake ni Joey Gosiengfiao, seryoso naman si Adrian Lynne...
Celia and Rosemarie bring out the best in each other lalo na nung sabay silang bumisita sa apartment ng mga anak nila.
Very rare na lumabas bilang Mamasan si Mary Walter and it seemed like she had fun with the role. Kitang-kita kasi sa performance niya ...
3:05 PM EDT
Campy ang kay Gosiengfiao pero sa tingin ko gusto pa rin niya kilitiin ang imahinasyon ng mga manonood hehe...
I also remember Celia and Rosemarie in 14 Going Steady.
10:08 PM EDT
Most definitely... Great observation Dennis!
As the dueling teachers in 14 Going Steady, Celia and Rosemarie Gil were hilarious.
1:09 PM EDT
Salamat Jojo! Rosemarie Gil's were every students' dream teacher while Celia's the typical terror haha...
2:37 PM EDT
The contrasting characters of Rosemarie and Celia were reflected in their students as well. Galing talaga ni Joey Gosiengfiao!
3:27 AM EDT
Tama! It shows on their students din. Iba ang tatak Gosiengfiao. Salamat Jojo!
6:12 AM EDT
Ibang-iba... Nag-iisa lang talaga si Joey Gosiengfiao!
6:01 AM EDT
Salamat uli sa nakakaenggayo mong obserbasyon!
10:03 AM EDT
Walang anuman Dennis! Nakakaengganyo din sagutin ang mga tanong mo....