Viva Films’ remake of the Korean movie Miracle in Cell No. 7 hits Philippine theaters today as an official entry to the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
Let me start by saying that I watched this film without any prior knowledge of its premise. I just knew it was a Korean film and John Arcilla is in it. The latter is the only reason I woke up early and watched the 1020am showing in Robinsons Magnolia. They say that ignorance is bliss, and in this case, it is correct.
Miracle in Cell No. 7 stars Aga Muhlach as the mentally-impaired Joselito “Lito” Gopez. Lito is a cheerful man with a golden heart who goes about his days working and taking care of his young daughter Yesha played by newcomer Xia Vigor.
Their lives are all carefree music and Sailor Moon dances until the father-daughter duo meets General Johnny Yulo, depicted by Tirso Cruz III, and his family. The Gopezes’ rainbows and butterflies existence turns into nightmare when Lito is accused of kidnapping, raping, and murdering the daughter of the general.
The accusations are false and the evidences do not add up but these facts do not stop the authorities from incarcerating Lito. The man upstairs always wins.
Inside the jail, in cell no. 7, where hardened criminals are locked up, Lito meets the leader Boss Sol (Joel Torre), the wise old man Tatang Celso (Soliman Cruz), the comedian Mambo (JC Santos), the kind Choi (Mon Confiado), and the always pasan-niya-ang-daigdig emotero Bong (Jojit Lorenzo).
Upon learning Lito’s crimes, the inmates as well as Bureau of Corrections chief Johnny San Juan (John Arcilla) beat Lito up and called him despicable. However, Lito’s kindness and courage show like a beacon in times of difficulties. Eventually, he gains the trust and affection of his cellmates and the keen observation of Mr. San Juan.
Theoretically, it is forbidden to have visitors inside the cells, but a pact between Lito and Boss Sol forces the latter to smuggle the former’s daughter into the cell. The first illegal visit has its ups and downs but it is repeated until Yesha wins over the hearts of his father’s cellmates.
Later on, Lito’s cellmates help him rehearse for his trial. Even Mr. San Juan boosts Lito’s confidence. Things are looking up for the Gopezes. However, on the day of the trial, while Lito is alone, the general threatens to inflict unprintable things to Yesha if Lito does not confess to doing the crimes. As a father whose life revolves around his daughter and her well-being, Lito chooses to sacrifice his life and the truth for her child’s safety.
The last act of the film is a mixture of joyful and melancholy moments. I will not write it here so people will watch the film.
The Nuel Naval-directed Miracle in Cell No. 7 is the perfect film for the holiday. It is family-oriented, factual, and fantastic at the same time.
The actors are cast perfectly for their roles. Muhlach sheds his bagets image and dives into Lito’s role head first. He embraces the role of being mentally-impaired and as inmate 5483. He has no qualms in distorting his face and body to make the love of his life laugh. His eyes talk more than his mouth does, and they convey a more powerful message by doing so. The audience just knows that he means to lay his life for his daughter. For his role as Lito, Muhlach has to win numerous awards.
Vigor is fascinating as the innocent and bubbly young Yesha. Her eyes genuinely sparkle in lighter scenes and they are streams of salty droplets of liquid in heart-wrenching moments. This little girl whose charm is oozing from her every pore will go places in local showbusiness.
Muhlach and Vigor’s scenes give me a rollercoaster ride range of emotions. I smile when they dance and my heart breaks when they sob. That scene where Yesha tells her father that she is thankful that he fulfills his promise of giving her a Sailor Moon bag gives me all the feels in the world. I think it is the most powerful moment of the film.
Arcilla is superb as usual. He plays the authoritative figure with aplomb, but he is better as a father with his own tragic experience and as Lito’s main champion. He is stellar in all the scenes he is in.
Torre, Santos, Confiado, Cruz, and Lorenzo lend the film the much-needed brightness and comedic relief. Naval is masterful in giving each of them a notable trait and an individual highlight so as not to lump them into just one group – the cellmates.
Miracle in Cell No. 7 is indeed a miracle: walang tapon sa gumanap, walang tapon sa eksena.
I will end this by saying that I cannot remember crying so much while watching the film. I know it is not just the acting of the cast, the cruel twist of fate that befalls Lito, the injustice that I know exist in society, or the goals father-and-daughter tandem. It is the amalgamation of all the parts of the film that makes me sob with tissue in hand.
I exited the theater with swollen eyes and runny nose. Not really a good look for Christmas day. But I do not care. I just watched a movie that touched my heart, my mind, and my soul.
This goes without saying that I recommend this film to everybody. Treat yourselves and your loved ones this holiday season by watching a quality Filipino film. Please watch Miracle in Cell No. 7. Let us all unite to make it 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival’s number 1 film!
Viva Films’ Miracle in Cell No. 7 hugot lines:
“Mahirap po pero hindi imposible.” – Young Yesha Gopez (Xia Vigor)
“”Salamat, God, may Yesha ako.” – Joselito “Lito” Gopez (Aga Muhlach)
“Ang tawag ng laman at kamunduhan ang nagtutulak sa ating magkasala.” – Boss Soliman “Sol” (Joel Torre)
“Kahit ano ang desisyon, ang mahalaga ginawa mo ang lahat.” – Boss Sol
“Kilala mo ba kung sino ako?” – General Johnny Yulo (Tirso Cruz III)
“Ayokong malungkot Yesha ko.” – Lito
“Mas masaya kung may music. Happy ‘di ba?” – Lito
“Maaari ninyong tingnan ang rehas bilang kulungan o maaaring dito ninyo matatagpuan ang kalayaan at katahimikan.” – Superintendent Johnny San Juan (John Arcilla)
“Tarantado ka pala! Animal ka!” – Boss Sol
“Ito ay bahay ampunan. Hindi lost and found.” – nun (Candy Pangilinan)
“Bakit mo ako iniwan? Bakit mo ako iniwan?” – Yesha
“Oo, mabait ang tatay, Yesha. Hindi ako kriminal. Sila lang.” – Lito
“Ano ‘to mall?” – Bong (Jojit Lorenzo)
“Sorry po. Pasensiya po. Gusto ko lang po makasama ang tatay ko.” – Yesha
“Ayaw ninyo po akong kasama?” – Yesha
“Wala kang karapatang maging ama. Gumahasa at pumatay ka ng bata. Animal ka!” – Johnny San Juan
“Mang Johnny, gusto ko pong magnakaw. Gusto ko pong makulong para makasama ko po si tatay.” – Yesha
“Naiintindihan ko po ang galit. Nararamdamn ko po ang sakit. … na alam ko hindi mawawala habangbuhay. Pero paano po kung ang mapaparusahan natin ay mali?” – Johnny San Juan
“Ako po ang pumatay.” – Lito
“Hindi, Yesha, salamat sa iyo. Pinasaya mo ang buhay namin.” – Boss Sol
“Tatay, tinupad mo ang promise mo. Salamat po.” – Yesha
“Ikaw. Ikaw ang gift mo sa akin dahil mahal na mahal mo ako.” – Lito
Yesha: Tatay, bakit po kayo umiiyak?
Lito: Dahil mahal na mahal kita. Mahal na mahal kita, Yesha.
“Ang pagkatao niya ang tangi niyang yaman.” – Adult Yesha (Bela Padilla)
“Kahit kulang ang kaisipan ni Joselito, sobra sobra naman ang kabaitan niya. Isang milagro … dahil binago tayo at ang tingin natin sa buhay. Binago niya kaming lahat at ang tingin namin sa buhay.” – Yesha