Review: Sisterakas (2012)

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Before "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" began, trailers for entries of the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) were shown. I noted three films that I want to see during the MMFF season. However, the first one I watched wasn't one of them. This film, which I caught in SM Sta Rosa the other day, is "Sisterakas".

"Sisterakas" is top-billed by Ai-Ai delas Alas, Vice Ganda, and Kris Aquino. It's about half-siblings who had a falling out and how they redeemed their relationship. As if the drama of sibling revenge wasn't enough, the people who worked on the story inserted subplots about competing players in the fashion industry (taking inspiration from the reputation of an infamous fashion magazine editor) and a half-baked courtship story between a younger pair of actors. Vice's cross-dressing character moved the story forward, relegating his co-actors to supporting roles. Even the Tirso Cruz III was pushed to a very minor role (and he is great at playing villains!).

Throughout the unraveling of the three stories, I couldn't help but look around at the audience who were laughing at the verbal swordplay, led by Vice Ganda. The scriptwriters took advantage of slapstick, Vice's impeccable timing... and more importantly, his signature brand of comedy to bring in the laughs. The scriptwriters also veered close to the fourth wall, by referring to the cast's product endorsements, television shows and movies, and personal lives.

For someone who isn't so keen on watching local television (except for the evening news), it's puzzling to see what's so funny. My sense of humor differed from what the target audience had. It will take a different type of comedy to get me laughing heartily, I find. I did find the wordplay assigned to Vice Ganda to be very quick-witted. 

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