Verdict: Essential Viewing
Pinoy Rebyu Score: 4.25 (6 ratings)
Genre: Action, Drama
Director: Erik Matti
Writers: Erik Matti and Michiko Yamamoto
Cast: Joel Torre, Gerald Anderson, Piolo Pascual, Joey Marquez, Angel Aquino, Michael de Mesa, Leo Martinez, Shaina Magdayao, Empress Schuck, Vivian Velez, Rayver Cruz
Synopsis: Tatang (Joel Torre) is a prison hitman: a convict occasionally set loose to kill someone on the orders of someone in power. His status as a prisoner provides the perfect alibi for his crimes. The film follows him and his protégé Daniel (Gerald Anderson) as they carry out a series of hits. Upright cop SPO1 Acosta (Joey Marquez) is investigating these murders, along with rising NBI agent Francis Coronel Jr. (Piolo Pascual). But while Francis wants to stay clean, he’s compromised by the fact that his politician father-in-law might be involved in these killings. (Click the CIty)
MTRCB Rating: R-16
Running Time: 120 mins.
Trailer:
Reviews:
5.0 Phillip Cu-Unjieng (The Philippine Star)
“This is a new standard for the Filipino noir film. Dark, brooding, muscular and visceral, yet complex and concise in its story-telling, On the Job fully deserves its Cannes screening and should be a wonderful eye-opener for the mainstream Filipino audience.” (Read full review)
5.0 Nicol Latayan (Tit for Tat)
“There’s a lot of great things to say about this, but If there’s a clear standout in it, no doubt it is Erik Matti. His slick direction is the main core which holds the film together and gives it the necessary oomph.” (Read full review)
4.5 Philbert Dy (Click the CIty)
“On The Job is an ambitious, serious crime drama for adults, one that manages to entertain without sacrificing its depth. It is a breath of fresh air in the increasingly stagnant environment of the Filipino mainstream.” (Read full review)
4.0 Skilty Labastilla (Young Critics Circle)
“On the Job is a thoroughly enjoyable, immensely gripping thrill ride that takes full advantage of the grit and grime of Manila’s seedy underbelly and of the unfathomable moral corruption of the country’s political and military elite. Matti and his team are firing on full cylinders here to give us the best that genre movie-making can offer.”
4.0 Fred Hawson (Fred Said)
“This is as timely as the present headlines. You will understand why fugitives and whistle-blowers are morbidly obsessed about their security. This film lives up to its hype, guys. This is a must-see Filipino film.” (Read full review)
3.0 Rob San Miguel (Brun Magazine)
“May it be incidental or accidental, Matti just crafted a perfect example on how celebrities can be utilized to highlight a social issue but such use inevitably betrays the original purpose. Celebrities get the attention but they also distract and dilute the issues because, in the end, we just remember how lovable, sympathetic, and talented the celebrities are. We forget the real issues.” (Read full review)
