Quezon's Game

In 1938 Philippine president Manuel L. Quezon was faced with a dilemma. News has reached him of the Nazi extermination of the Jews and the further troubling news that thousands of Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany were turned down by the United States and Canada and had nowhere to go. A Jewish acquaintance begged him to take the people in but the president was faced by the political ramifications of this. "Quezon's Game" is the stellar depiction of this little known act of humanity that saved the lives of over a thousand people. In bright and crisp colors the verdant and colorful setting of pre-war Manila is the attractive backdrop to the intense diplomatic and political wrangling that occurred to get the act of humanity done. With the full outstanding Hollywood treatment the film delivers with impressive directing, acting, script and music. Raymond Bagatsing gives a dignified and elegant portrayal of the Philippine leader while Rachel Alejandro compliments him as the pushy and doting first lady. The supporting cast all shine in this striking period piece. The only flaws of the film are slow parts peppered throughout the film and the pc that usually rears in such subject matter. Bagatsing doesn't portray the less flattering side of Quezon, and he looks a little too young to accurately look like the 60 year old president in 1938. One of the best films of recent times "Quezon's Game" is a triumph of art in highlighting man's defiance in the face of adversity and darkness and a memorial to a simpler time when people's souls had more chance to shine.