Dekada '70

I admire the director of this movie for being able to make a dramatic film based on a ground-breaking novel. It really pays tribute to the Philippines' Martial Law history. I really felt the seventies in this film. Too bad, this one didn't qualify for an Oscar Award in 2002. But it doesn't matter at all. This is really and excellent film. Vilma Santos once again acted like a superior actress who kbows no bounds. Christopher de Leon was okay. All their children did a good job acting. I also admire the make up designers of the movie who made everything fit to the seventies: the house, the furniture, the clothes, the hairstyle, the fashion and etc. I also liked the ending as well and the soundtrack song. It was really touching.People who like based-on-history films should really watch this one.

Dekada 70 the movie was simple and yet excellently produced. Shot in a simple setting yet true to detail. The cinematography was able to sew together the movie; the lighting was good, the angles were good, and most importantly the sound mixing was good as opposed to other Filipino films which have bad sound. Perhaps the most important aspect of the film which carried the whole aesthetic values were the actors. Its a given that it was a star studded cast but what will impress you is the way the cohesiveness of each actor brought the best in themselves. Watch this film and be touched by family togetherness and how each handle the adversities that come with it.Really Heart warming...

Dekada '70 by Lualhati Bautista has to be one of my most favorite books. The story of Amanda Bartolome's tale of dealing with her family, and self-discovery during the turbulent era of Martial Law in the Philippines really was as entertaining as it was eye-opening. It's really too bad that the movie failed to capture the actual essence of the book.

First of all, the true main character of the story is really Amanda. In the movie, amanda just has a few thoughts and reflections at the beginning and the end of the movie and nothing more. It really focuses on how her family grows as a family, and is affected by the drastic changes and events at that time. What I really wanted to see was Amanda's thoughts as the events of the story occur.

But if not looking at the book and not really looking at Amanda as the protagonist, you can see that the movie explains well what could have happened to any common bourgeois family in those times. You can also see the just how powerful the acting of Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon, Dimples Romana and Marvin Agustin was in this film. Even Jhong Hilario, Carlos Agassi, Tirso Cruz III, Carlo Munoz, and John Wayne Sace gave good performances. I personally found that the characters such as Mara and Jason were taken for granted. Ana Capri didn't do justice as Jules' wife and role model for Amanda, and though Danilo Barrios gave a pretty good performance as Jason, I didn't really see him as the wild child Jason was. And Piolo Pascual didn't really for me look the part of Jules. For one thing, He's too much of a pretty boy, and another is that his acting is so-so. The transition of scenes also left me a tad confused at times.

All in all, this movie deserves a 9/10, but seeing how different and in that way, inferior it is to the book, no offense to Lualhati bautista who wrote the book and the screenplay, plus a few other weak elements, I think it deserves a 7/10. But it still is a good movie. I recommend it to everyone whether you are a Filipino or a foreigner, whether you were present in those times or not, it is a movie you will enjoy.

This movie is not just a mere re-enactment of the 70's and was not just about martial law. It is a melo-drama of a true Filipino family which can transcend even to the succeeding generations. It is definitely one of the smartest screenplays of our time. It was well directed and the cast was well casted. Everything from the cinematography, production design, musical scoring and lights really gave more impact and drama to the film. It was able to bring us back and make us feel the film. I recommend this film,it is worth every peso to watch it. It touches pertinent issues in the society such as politics and the importance of parents and the value of the family in shaping the nation,by promoting nationalism and love for country.

"Dekada '70" is simply powerful. Vilma Santos's performance is stunning, as usual, (though personally she did a better job in "Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?"). Christopher de Leon also has a shining performance, as well as Piolo Pascual, who swept the supporting actor awards in, if I'm not mistaken, all of the 2002 Philippine movie/acting awards ceremonies. The movie was actually very faithful to the book, only a few new scenes had been added. It isn't easy watching, but neither is it dragging. Watch out for the abrupt transitions, which is probably the only weak aspect of this film. Though it doesn't match up to Lualhati Bautista's masterpiece, "Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?", all in all, "Dekada '70" is still a very good drama. 9/10