The movie might be best seen as a stage play but the attempt is surely commendable.
One will get similar feeling for stage plays converted to movie where one would at times sense that the power of live viewing wasn't as it was on the film, nonetheless, the message has gotten across too so kudos for that effort.
As to those that say this film is lacking the crucial presence of a villain, they may have missed the whole point of the film. As the entertainment piece attempts to inculcate in the viewers that we can all be a Ninoy, a hero, the villain can be anything (not anyone) for each of us; martial law suppression for Ninoy, parenthood for Noel and Ivy, capitalism for Ivy's mom, Quentin and colleagues, being away from motherland for Kuya Bodgie's character, fame for the young actor, the media obligation of exposing truth for the reporter, empathy for the poor for the doctor and passion for education for the teacher. We battle our own struggles and we, because of them, can also be heroes, a Ninoy no less.
My nephews enjoyed it. And the viewing gave us, their responsible influences, the opportunity to enlighten them and for that alone, this attempt of putting the stage to the silver screen deserves a 10.
This may not be a Steven Spielberg movie but this is a movie for all Filipinos and if Filipinoes indeed are worth dying for, the film gets from me a 10.