REVIEW: Captive

Title: Captive

Director: Brillante Mendoza

Producer: B.A. Produktion, Studio Eight Productions, Arte France, Centerstage Productions, Swift Productions

Distribution: Star Cinema

Date of premiere: September 5, 2012

While Captive may be the most accessible film Brillante Mendoza has made, it is also the hardest to watch. 

Let me explain.

Unlike Mendoza's previous movies that tend to be gritty and experimental, Captive's subject matter is too familiar. The storytelling is linear, and any Pinoy old enough to know about the Abu Sayyaf should know how the film ends. This makes Captive quite accessible.

Mendoza, however, chose to shoot Captive in a matter-of-fact tone. There is almost no time spent in sentiments. Little is known about the character's back stories, and several stereotypes are used to introduce them. This leads to Captive feeling more like a documentary than a fictional movie. 

This leads to a deeper issue: since the characters are stereotypes, it is hard to see the actors transform into the roles. And since the actors used are A-listers in both indie and mainstream, it is harder to suspend disbelief.

For instance, I had a hard time believing that Raymond Bagatsing, Sid Lucero, and Ronnie Lazaro are terrorists. These actors do not disappear into their roles because there is not much characterization for them to hold on to.

In fact, I found that the best scenes came from the unknown actors, particularly the Americans who played a copy of the Burnhams.

Should Mendoza have used lesser known actors? I believe so. But perhaps, it is only I that has this issue. I have after all met these actors in real life.

But then I have also met most of the actors in the mainstream movies I have seen, and I don't have this specific issue.

I guess the better question is, did I like the film? Half-and-half. I can't say I like it, and I can't say I hate it. It's hard to describe.

RATING: 3.5 stars out of 5

SUMMARY: Captive is that movie that has equal bad sides and good sides. It's hard to say if it's good or not.