With its trailer reminiscent of Guy Ritchie's stylish RocknRolla, Erik Matti's On The Job, screened at this year's Cannes as part of the Director's Fortnight, instantly became a must-see for the local audience.
Penned by Matti and Michiko Yamamoto (Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros), and "inspired by true events," the convoluted crime-drama On The Job tells the story of the fascinating operation of a powerful crime syndicate hiring prisoners as contract killers. The highly corrupt system ("pera pera lang yan") allows these hitmen to get out of prison, do their job, and safely return to their cell with the perfect alibi. One of the contract killers is Tatang Mario (Joel Torre), a veteran hitman nearing his parole release. Tatang takes under his wing a new recruit to replace him, the young and eager Daniel (Gerald Anderson), who effortlessly transforms into a cold-blooded murderer simply for the love of money.
On the other side of the spectrum is PO1 Acosta (Joey Marquez), who is on the verge of cracking the crime syndicate when, inexplicably, the case is snatched from him by the NBI, right into the hands of young agent Atty. Francis Coronel (Piolo Pascual). The two eventually team up, and when they realize who's on top of this seemingly invincible organized crime operation, it's become a life-or-death gamble.
Erik Matti delivers a highly engaging and stylish local version of a Hollywood crime drama. It does feel like watching a Hollywood movie, only with our local actors in it. Although the dialogue is safely prosaic, the narrative is solid. Also, the editing and cinematography are superb, and the upbeat RocknRolla-like soundtrack seals On the Job as a highly confident movie meant to entertain the international audience.
Some of the effects like gun wounds and blood-gush look bothersome fake, and there were some comical scenes that scream "too obvious to be effective" (like Anderson hiding his face with a newspaper and cap in the LRT scene), but On the Job is still satisfactorily entertaining. The move is well-acted, but it's Marquez who is surprisingly a joy to watch here. And, as always, Torre is reliable in his craft. Shaina Magdayao, though, feels miscast, looking underage for the role of Pascual's wife.
Despite its minor flaws, On the Job is still a highly unpredictable and compelling suspense thriller that will grip you from beginning to end. Now, this is what Filipino mainstream cinema should always be. It does its job well, like Tatang. A sure, clean kill.
3.5 out of 5 stars
In Philippine Cinemas August 28, 2013
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