A Time And Place... SOMEWHERE

Posted by Jojo Devera , Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Somewhere
Romy Suzara's Somewhere (Viva Films) achieves thematic unity through its theme, that man is a victim of circumstances. Silvio (Rudy Fernandez), is sentenced to life imprisonment for a crime he did not commit. Similarly, Silvio's attack on Logan (Johnny Delgado) is as much a product of fear for his own life as it is revenge for the death of his best friend Tengteng (Dencio Padilla). In a sense, Silvio is guiltless, both legally and morally. Despite his innocence, however, he is convicted, discriminated against and finally killed. The film also succeeds in putting violence in its rightful place. The shoot-out at the end is particularly well-done. It is a violent scene with ruthless men going at each other's throats the way only caged animals do. There is blood all over and Suzara succeeds in balancing gore with significance, blood is there, but it is there for a purpose. The scene is violent because the film can only end in violence. A directorial decision however is the root of the film's failure. Suzara chooses to begin and end the film with Shirley (Lorna Tolentino),  now a popular singer, singing the movie's theme song which bring memories of her entire experience with Silvio. In other words, the whole story turns out to be a catharsis of sorts for Shirley. This narrative frame fails because Silvio's story revolves around the theme of being a victim. There is no indication of any hope for victims of societal prejudice. Like Silvio, in other words, Shirley should be a victim of society. If there is anything we learn from Silvio's plight, it is that there is absolutely no hope for the poor and the oppressed, that victims will always be victims, that man is forever enslaved by forces much bigger than himself.

In terms of performance, Lorna Tolentino's fiery emotional labor mines the lurid and lasting legacies of social transformation in the life of a singing superstar hemmed in by the contradictions of love and success. The changes in her life nourish the mental resources which she participates in changing her society and her being a woman. Rudy Fernandez's brave and resolute depiction of a man wronged and determined to claim the woman he loves chills to the bone. The backstage elements of the story are merely perfunctory with Michael de Mesa playing Shirley's manager, George and Deborah Sun as Beba, her personal assistant. The supporting cast are particularly excellent, although special mention must be made of Armida Siguion-Reyna's Doña Corazon and Col. Victor Morena played by Leroy Salvador. On the whole, then, if we ignore its narrative frame, Somewhere could have been a significant film. It says what has to be said about human nature, that it is not supreme, that it is subject to various attacks, that it is brutal and violent. This melodrama therefore assumes the dimensions of a fable about people who look for love in the wrong places and find it on the run. Somewhere says something significant, then loses its nerve.

Directed By: Romy Suzara
Story By: Carlo J. Caparas
Serialized In Pilipino Komiks
Screenplay By: Jose N. Carreon And Orlando Nadres
Director Of Photography: Ernesto dela Paz
Musical Director: George Canseco
Film Editor: Ike Jarlego, Jr.
Production Design: Manny Morfe
Produced By: Viva Films
Release Date: July 26, 1984
Somewhere theme song performed by Regine Velasquez


16 Response to "A Time And Place... SOMEWHERE"

  1. Carlo says:
    8:56 AM

    OMG! I didn't know Regine did the song. I just have to hear this.

    If I remember correctly,
    That last scene where Rudy's character got shot was reminiscent of Faye Dunaway's "getting shot" scene in Chinatown; the bullet went through his head and exited through his eye. Gory but dramatic.

  2. Jojo Devera says:
    9:02 AM

    You're most welcome Carlo!

    It was a violent scene indeed and very dramatic and well executed by the film's director Romy Suzara. I never thought of Chinatown... great observation!

  3. Ronald Selorio says:
    10:00 AM

    Great review. I saw this a long time ago and remember liking it. Was it made before or after Rudy and Lorna got together? I remember liking their chemistry in this film. Maybe it's time for a revisit.

  4. Jojo Devera says:
    12:10 PM

    Many thanks Ron!

    I liked the movie as well in spite of some reservations I pointed out in the review.

    Rudy and Lorna made Somewhere four years after they got together. Their love affair started when they first starred opposite each other in the horror film Sa Init Ng Apoy under Romy Suzara's direction back in 1980.

  5. Dennis says:
    11:49 PM

    Hi Jojo,

    I've seen Somewhere numerous times on tv. And glad to have a copy of it released by Viva. Buti ang cover e galing din sa actual na poster.

    I liked the movie knowing I like Viva melodramas. Lorna and Rudy look very good together. I particulary like the scene na lumayo sila at nagtago with Rudy uttering the line: ""Darating ang araw sa ayaw at gusto natin, magkakahiwalay tayo. Pero pagdating ng araw na 'yon... Tandaan mo 'to Shirley, pinakamamahal kita."

    The climactic scene was one hell of a shocker. Kahit pa nalalaman na ng viewers ang magiging kapalaran ni Rudy e hindi nakakagulat pa rin ma-witness.

  6. Jojo Devera says:
    3:47 AM

    Hello Dennis,

    Was it ever released on VCD? I don't remember seeing it. That's great you have a copy.

    Most Viva melodramas were well-made and Somewhere was definitely one of those movies. Rudy was effective in the scene you mentioned, hindi siya nagpahuli kay Lorna in terms of acting.

    The final scene was tension-filled and highly dramatic, kahit alam na ang kahihinatnan ni Rudy sa pagtatapos ng pelikula.

  7. Dennis says:
    9:27 AM

    It's been released na rin dati pa sa vcd format pero nagre-released ang Viva nu'ng namatay si Rudy at nilagyan ng 'Daboy Movie Collection' sa cover ang halos lahat ng Viva releases nila kay Rudy. Isa na ang Somewhere.

    Gusto ko ang simula pa lang ng Somewhere kahit pa hindi si Lorna ang mismong kumanta. Kaya ko rin lalo nagustuhan kasi nagdrama rin si Rudy.

  8. Jojo Devera says:
    10:03 AM

    Talaga? I never saw the collector's edition release sa mga video stores diyan. How many volumes ba?

    Boses ni Lorna ang ginamit sa mga eksenang kumakanta siya. In spite of the fact na hindi naman talaga siya singer, she can still carry a tune kaya effective na rin. Rudy has always excelled in drama. Proof of which would be his performances in Babalik Ka Rin, Pepeng Shotgun, Batuigas: Pasukuin Si Waway and in Somewhere.

  9. Dennis says:
    10:06 AM

    Hindi ko sure Jojo kung ilan ang nireleased na may Daboy Collection. Baka 5 titles ni Rudy na not necessarily Viva produced, may Amazaldy like 'yung Kumusta Ka, Hudas?

    Siya pa rin pala, parang iba ang timbre ng boses. Sabagay, nagreleased nga pala siya ng 45rpm dati. Agree ako, nagagalingan talaga ako kay Rudy pagdating sa drama. Unlike other action stars na oa na at katawa-tawa ang kinakalabasan. I would love to see Babalik Ka rin, the one with Alma. Salamat sa titles, I wouuld watch those (except Somewhere) once cable airs it kung meron sila.

  10. Jojo Devera says:
    10:16 AM

    Maybe they included titles na released but not necessarily produced by Viva sa collector's DVD set.

    Lorna can definitely carry a tune although medyo manipis ang boses niya when compared to actual singing superstars. Most of Rudy's dramatic performances were under Romy Suzara's direction except Waway. I would single out Rudy along with Ace Vergel as action stars who also excel in drama...

  11. Dennis says:
    3:49 AM

    Manipis nga ang boses mamapansin kahit sa casual na listeners. Although hindi entirely drama ang Sa Init Ng Apoy, nagustuhan ko rin ang akting ni Rudy du'n.Marahil nagmana naman si Ace kay Alicia.

  12. Jojo Devera says:
    4:42 AM

    Kulang sa reverb ang recording ng mga songs ni Lorna sa pelikula which came as a surprise even with George Canseco's musical direction.

    Ace Vergel on the other hand has shown excellence in his first film, Inay under Lino Brocka's direction and continued to prove his mettle as an actor in films like Bomba Arienda, Anak Ng Cabron and Pieta.

  13. Dennis says:
    10:05 AM

    Nakakamiss panoorin ang mga magagaling na male action stars doing dramatic scenes. Sayang at wala na ang tulad nina Rudy at Ace.

  14. Jojo Devera says:
    11:55 AM

    Wala nang action stars nowadays. Aside from Rudy and Ace, Lito Lapid did his share of dramatic roles and he was quite convincing as well...

  15. Dennis says:
    2:48 AM

    I did very much like Kastilyong Buhangin. I have yet to see his Gaano Kita Kamahal.

  16. Jojo Devera says:
    7:04 AM

    Gaano Kita Kamahal is the better movie in my opinion although Lito Lapid was very good in Kastilyong Buhangin.

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Karapatang Magpalathala 2006-2013. SARI-SARING SINENG PINOY Lahat Ng Karapatan Ay Nakalaan. Disenyo Jojo Devera