When I met you in Tokyo
Malinaw ang mensahe ng pelikula na hindi namimili ng edad o lugar ang pag-ibig. Dumarating ito kahit nasaan ka o kung ilang taong-gulang ka na.
Technical assessment: 3 ★★★✩✩
Moral assessment: 4 ★★★★✩
MTRCB rating: PG
CINEMA rating: PG
Tampok ang APO Hiking Society classic na When I Met You bilang theme song, sinikap na ikuwento ng pelikula ang naging buhay sa Japan ng dalawang OFW na sina Azon (Vilma Santos) at Joey (Christopher De Leon). Maraming taon nang nagtatrabaho doon si Azon para maitaguyod ang kanyang mga magulang, kapatid at pamilya nito. At nag-iipon na rin siya para may mapagkakakitaan kapag nag-retiro at bumalik na siya sa Pilipinas. Ano pa’t nagkatagpo sila ni Joey na naging farmer ng bonsai sa Japan matapos pagtaksilan ng kanyang asawa habang OFW siya. Kahit na-annul na ang kanilang kasal ay hindi pa rin magawang patawarin ni Joey ang dating asawang nagtaksil. Magaspang man ang naging unang pagkikita ni Joey at Azon, nauwi ito sa isang relasyong punumpuno ng pag-ibig at pagmamalasakit sa kabila ng kanilang edad at mga kahinaan. Pero sapat ba ito upang magpabago ng kanilang mundo at magkaroon ng saysay ang buhay?
Simple at karaniwan ang storyline ng When I Met You in Tokyo subalit napakahusay ng pagkakaganap ng dalawang beterano at batikang aktor ng pelikulang Pilipino. Kapuri-puri si Vilma Santos sa kanyang stellar performance. De-kalidad, ika nga, ang pag-arte ni Boyet at Ate Vi: natural lang, parang walang masyadong effort pero kapani-paniwala sila sa kanilang mga karakter. Makaka-relate ang napakaraming OFWs sa kanilang mga karanasan. Maganda ang location at masining ang cinematography na nagpa-igting sa mga kinakailangang eksena. Nakakatuwa ang biruan at banter nina Azon at Joey, pero medyo pilit at alanganin ’yung sa mga supporting cast tulad ng pagbanggit ng ilang impormasyon mula sa Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) na maaaring makatulong sa mga OFW. Sabog ang kwento dahil mahina ang pagkakaugnay-ugnay ng mga pangyayari. May mga eksena na nagpahaba lang ng pelikula na wala namang iniambag sa kabuuan nito.
Gayunpaman, malinaw ang mensahe ng pelikula na hindi namimili ng edad o lugar ang pag-ibig. Dumarating ito kahit nasaan ka o kung ilang taon ka na. Parehong malapit nang magretiro sina Azon at Joey nang binuksan nilang muli ang puso upang magmahal. Subalit kailangang matutong magpatawad upang maging lubusang malayang magmahal. Paglipas ng maraming taon ay napatawad ni Joey ang taksil niyang asawa sa hikayat ng kanyang kaibigan at ng Salita ng Diyos. Nabasa niya ang mga katagang “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col. 3:13)” Pinatawad din ni Azon ang kapatid niyang lumustay ng salaping dapat sana ay naipundar na sa pagtatayo ng bahay. Kaya lang, katanggap-tanggap ba ang mag-sorry nang walang accountability? Hindi kaya ito pangungunsinti sa nakagawian nang palakad sa pamilyang Pilipino na lagi na lang ang nakatatanda ang magpaparaya at magpapatawad, samantalang hindi natututo ang mga nakababata na gampanan ang kanilang pananagutan? Ipinakita rin ng mga pangunahing tauhan ang iba’t ibang expressions ng pagmamahal na hindi lang romantic at feel good stuff: pagpapasensiya, pagtanggap sa kahinaan ng minamahal, pangangalaga, pagtitimpi ng galit, pagiging tapat, pagpapatawad, at pananatiling puno ng pag-asa sa kinabukasan. — RDA
DIRECTOR: Rommel Penesa, Conrado Peru LEAD CAST: Vilma Santos, Christopher De Leon, Cassy Legaspi, Darren Espanto, Kakai Bautista, Lynn Cruz, Gina Alajar, Gabby Eigenmann SCREENWRITER: Suzette Doctolero, Conrado Peru, Christopher De Leon, Vilma Santos CINEMATOGRAPHER: Shayne Sarte MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Jessie Lasaten PRODUCER: Redgie Acuña-Magno, JG Productions EDITOR: Froilan Francia GENRE: Romance/Drama DISTRIBUTOR: Rafaella Films International LOCATION: Japan, Philippines RUNNING TIME: 123 minutes
English language version:
With the APO Hiking Society classic “When I Met You” featured as the theme song, the film attempts to narrate the lives of two Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Japan, Azon (Vilma Santos) and Joey (Christopher De Leon). Azon has been working in Japan for many years to support her parents, siblings, and their family. She is also saving up for her retirement and eventual return to the Philippines. Fate brings her together with Joey, who became a bonsai farmer in Japan after being betrayed by his spouse while working as an OFW. Despite their annulled marriage, Joey cannot forgive his unfaithful ex-wife. In spite of the rough start to Joey and Azon’s first meeting, it evolves into a relationship filled with love and care despite their age and vulnerabilities. But is it enough to change their world and give meaning to their lives?
The storyline of “When I Met You in Tokyo” is simple and ordinary, yet the performances of the two veteran and seasoned Filipino actors are excellent. Vilma Santos deserves praise for her stellar performance. Boyet and Ate Vi’s acting is of high quality, appearing natural, effortless, and believable in their roles. Many OFWs can relate to their experiences. The film has a beautiful location, and the cinematography enhances the necessary scenes. The banter between Azon and Joey is amusing, but some information from the supporting cast, like mentioning details from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), feels forced and awkward. The story is scattered due to the weak connection between events. Some scenes unnecessarily lengthen the film without contributing to its overall impact.
Nevertheless, the film delivers a clear message that love does not discriminate based on age or location. It can happen anywhere, at any age. Azon and Joey, both nearing retirement, opened their hearts again to love. However, learning to forgive is essential for true freedom in love. After many years, Joey forgave his unfaithful spouse through the encouragement of a friend and the Word of God. He read the words “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col. 3:13).” Azon also forgave her sibling who misused money intended for building a house. However, is a simple apology without accountability acceptable? Doesn’t it perpetuate the traditional Filipino family dynamics where the older generation always sacrifices and forgives while the younger ones fail to take responsibility? The main characters also showcase various expressions of love beyond the romantic and feel-good aspects: patience, acceptance of the loved one’s weaknesses, care, anger management, honesty, forgiveness, and maintaining hope for the future.
