Verdict: Essential Viewing
Pinoy Rebyu Score: 4.83 (3 ratings)
Genre: Drama
Director: Lino Brocka
Writer: Clodualdo del Mundo Jr.
Cast: Bembol Roco, Hilda Koronel, Lou Salvador Jr., Tommy Abuel, Joonee Gamboa, Juling Bagabaldo
Synopsis: Julio Madiaga (Bembol Roco) is a “country mouse,” a probinciano, who has lost track of his childhood sweetheart Ligaya Paraiso (Hilda Koronel) in the wilds of Manila. In what amounts to a major quest, he enters the sprawling metropolis in order to find her.
MTRCB Rating: R-13
Running Time: 125 mins.
Trailer:
Reviews:
5.0 Ria Limjap (Spot.ph)
“In the beautifully restored version Mike de Leon’s peerless cinematography allows the city to bloom as it was in the mid-70s: the neon-lit streets of downtown, the teeming slums, the eerily quiet streets of Binondo early in the morning. Manila’s internal logic has never been more lovingly preserved on film.” (Read full review)
5.0 Mark Angelo Ching (PEP)
“Watching the film again is a little chilling, because it could have been shot at this moment. Julio Madiaga can exist in our time, and he won’t be out of place. This is why Maynila: sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag deserves to be restored. A timeless film like this is worthy of being preserved and viewed by everyone.” (Read full review)
4.5 Pau Aguilera (Manila Bulletin)
“The film, nevertheless, mirrored how life was back then in the land of neon lights: silently brutal. For shining the light on the gritty life at that time in our history, it has indeed become an opus and both an artistic and cultural landmark.” (Read full review)
