Sleepless | Movie Review (Sort of)
Just like Ang Nawawala, I’ve been praying for a perfect opportunity to watch this movie. Thanks again to Cinematheque Manila for hosting a special screening for Sleepless on Valentine’s Day 2017.
The movie revolves around two ordinary people in the city. Both having trouble in sleeping at night as they are being haunted by their regrets and failure yet fueled by their hopes and dreams. It’s romantic but not in a usual way. Its more about searching and finding oneself amidst friendship. Somewhere in between, they did not just found an insomniac buddy, they also found help by helping each other. Unuttered feelings were there but both succeeded in dozing off and finding rest while they rest.
I am in love with city shots, and this movie is filled with it. It gave glimpse of how wide and vast this metropolitan is. Though there are times I felt like their slow narrative was being filled up with pretty cinematography, it is but scenic and entertaining. It screams that this city is built of people and everyone, regardless of how seemingly small we are in scale of the skyscrapers, we all have stories to tell. We are all facing unique and various struggles. Nonetheless, the world will go on and on, day and night, unnoticing and uncaring. Sleepless has no heavy drama but is sad. Sadness that twisted to hope as we all hope for the characters.
Glaiza De Castro is beautiful. She’s just- the depth and reluctance of her character is captured most effectively on her silent stares and blank beautiful face. She’s afraid of going out of her comfort zone, hence settling for anything. Frustrating but I identified myself in her. Dominic Rocco is matured and relatable. I felt the burden of a person trying so hard to stand up from his mistakes yet at the same time carrying an unfamiliar responsibility as a consequence of it. Both are raw and real. Somewhere out there, we can find people like them and both delivered a classy character performance. Additional points to the relaxing theme song sang by Glaiza herself.
“It is the healing experience of an earnest, comfortable friendship that allows them to overcome their brokenness.” Reversedelay.net
The whole movie revolves around their nights and on how they spent them running away from the truth that kept them awake. In near end, they fell asleep as they both found resolve. It is a resounding call of the importance of peace. Peace through letting go of a wrong relationship and finally breaking out of the shell. Peace in making a stand from a big fall and in fighting for the people we value. The world may not care, but we must find this peace. Rating Sleepless with 4/5.
