DEKADA 70 MOVIE REVIEW - REYMARKTABORNAL

Title : DEKADA ‘70
Running Time : 128 minutes
Lead Cast : Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon, Piolo Pascual, Marvin Agustin, Carlos Agassi, Danilo Barrios, John Wayne Sace, Dimples Roman, Ana Capri, Jhong Hilario Director : Chito S. Roño
Producer : Charo Santos – Concio
Screenwriter : Lualhati Bautista
Music : Nonong Buencamino
Editor : Jess Navarro
Genre : Drama
Cinematography : Neil Daza
Distributor : Star Cinema
Location : Manila

“You could stop being proud of me! Nagsawa na ko sa ganun, gusto ko naman ngayon for a change, maging proud ako sa sarili ko!” – Amanda Bartolome

Character Details
Amanda Bartolome (Vilma Santos) is the mother of 5 boys namely Jules (Piolo Pascual), Gani (Carlos Agassi), Emman (Marvin Agustin), Jason (Danilo Barrios), and Bingo (John Wayne Sace) the youngest. Amanda is a typical housewife who’s only concern is the welfare of her family but as the story goes on we will see how Amanda’s character change by the society and people around him especially Julian (Christopher de Leon) her husband. Julian Bartolome is a liberated father to his son, he gave what his sons want but not with Amanda. Jules the oldest son became a civic leader because he did not like the government policy then. Gani is a United States Navy which was strongly oppose by Jules. Emman a writer, just like Jules he did not like the government policy but instead of joining the communist he express his feeling in writing. Jason is a happy go lucky guy he is the most loving of all the boys but became a victim of a military abused and Bingo the youngest a typical boy who is playful. 

STORY PLOT

Bartolome family has their blissful and normal life before entering the 70’s. The head of the family, JulianBartolome together with his wifeAmanda, give their children, who are all boys, their right to express themselves. It just shows how they love their sons. The family belongs to the middle-class, Amanda is the only woman, and they have five sons. However, they lives have changed when the new president have declared the martial law. Amanda and Julian have their own dilemmas while at it. They usually fight because Amanda, as a woman, wanted to achieve other things rather than being just a housewife, while Julian just want her to become the latter. She is torn between the laws back then and her responsibilities as being the mother and wife. Due to this upbringing front (martial law), Jules, the eldest son began to be exposed in such rebellious acts. He first hid it from his family, but still, they have found out what he has been doing because of the unruly papers Amanda saw. Jules’ decision on joining the NPA is approved by his parents, however, they still fear of losing him. Jules and his younger brother (and the third son), Emmanuel, are partners in fighting the government because Emmanuel writes what Jules dictates. The second son, Isagani became a member of the navy. Jules fought over Isagani being one of the US Navy since he obviously doesn’t like it; Jules is a nationalistic person. However, Gani still managed to become one. But before that, he made his mistake of getting his girlfriend pregnant and suddenly became married. Yet, their marriage did not work because his wife has something to accomplish with her life. The fourth son is Jason, Julian’s favorite. Jason is a typical teenager and enjoys life too much. He is a happy-go-lucky child. He brings cheers to the family especially when struggles come. But Jason died, not by his witty acts, but because the police killed him, unjustified. And the fifth son is Benjamin. He is merely in the middle of his teenage years back then and still doesn’t have a broad understanding about what is happening around him.

REACTION

Dekada ’70 is a film about the life of a Filipino family during the Martial Law. As one of the members of the family was involved in an organization fighting for democracy, the family’s situation is really in a riot. However, the queen of the family kept her composure beside the entire clamour. I don’t know how she managed the situation given that their family is composed mainly of boys having the nature to be rebellious and prideful. Amanda Bartolome, portrayed by Vilma Santos, is a mother of five (5) boys and a simple housewife. All these years she has been in her house caring for her children and husband. However, at some point of her life, she felt that she is already losing her identity. Maybe tired because of her daily routine, she realized that she also want to develop as a person. I greatly admired her decision to lower down her pride and just go with the decision of her husband to stay in the house for my mother is also the same as hers. Being a housewife is the noblest vocation for me. It is the most tiring yet fulfilling job as my Mom always tells us. However, I think that when the time that I will become a mother comes, I wouldn’t prefer to stay in the house. Pride is something innate in me. I think it is very unfair for me if I won’t be able to work. What is the purpose of studying if I wouldn’t be able to use my acquired knowledge in the near future? Even though we are living in a society governed by a patriarchal system, it doesn’t mean that women are weak just like others think. Though Amanda chose to be in the house, it doesn’t mean that she is weak and fragile. With the situation their family is facing, Amanda showed her courage by staying firm and strong for her family. She suffered from many heartbreaks like the rebellion of his son who went away from home to join an organization who fights the government, the loss of her other son, etc. Despite of all of these, she remained to be a caring mother for her sons