REVIEW: Balota – Marian Rivera, Now Streaming on Netflix
Here’s my review of the film Balota which stars Marian Rivera and written and directed by Kip Oebanda and stars Marian Rivera and more! Now streaming on Netflix!
Marian Rivera takes on the role of poll watcher and teacher, Teacher Emmy who is forced to protect the last remaining clean ballot box in their municipality in some rural area in the Philippines during the 2007 elections. Emmy is thrust in a world of death and violence as she holds the last ballot that would complete the mayoral elections between obviously corrupt mayor Hidalgo (Mae Paner aka Juana Change) and Edraline (Gardo Versoza). With the stakes high everybody is looking to smoke out Teacher Emmy even resorting to using violence and intimidation tactics just to get her.
The film was so satirical in nature that it’s ridiculously real. We start the film with fake TV ads for the two mayoral candidates namely Mayor Hidalgo and newcomer Edraline. They took some real world inspiration for some stuff like towards the end when the main baddie for the film was exposed, that individual had the gall to try to make a public appearance on a wheelchair. Just like in real life.
And as can expect, the film follows the first act in traditional format explaining what’s at stake, the evils that these politician(s) have been doing and the life of Rivera’s Teacher Emmy. The film’s writing was solid enough to explain what makes our lead star the proper person to follow and her ideals and principles. The second act is where most of the violence occurs.
There are a number of things that may need some suspension of belief. One glaring thing that I noticed is may signal sa gubat. That’s my one take away that should be noted. Pero maybe that’s just something we need some suspension of belief on or the fact that it was so easy to gather that much people for that final standoff in the third act. On the flipside there are a number of things that might be triggering for viewers as well as hits very close to home. Subjects like police brutality, summary execution and political violence is put in full display in the film. If you’re wondering too if this is truly a reflection of what’s happening out of Manila during elections then its an unequivocal yes. These things did happen AND continue to happen and the filmmakers of Balota are not shying away from tackling this.
This is also a film that provides Marian Rivera to showcase her range and I am all for it. There’s something unique about Marian’s acting and we totally see her fit like a glove in the role of Teacher Emmy where she’s this never-say-never and morally upstanding individual. Throughout the film, we also get to see the impact she’s had in her past and present students like Morales who was a closeted gay police officer and her former student and how much he respects her which ultimately saved the life of her son. We also get to see Marian’s raw fury fully displayed especially in that scene with Migs (Nico Antonio) where she needed to actually un-alive somebody within the narrative.
There’s also an interesting lineup of supporting cast including youtubers and Tiktokers Sassa Gurl and Esnyr playing Ermhingard and Babe, two characters who are the unofficial mouthpieces for the viewers. They have this really nice scene where they talk about supporting candidates who are only out to make themselves rich while leaving their poor kababayans below the poverty line.
There’s also Donna Cariaga’s character who is a more direct and more real reflection of the abuse and disrespect that the wealthy politicians have for the regular wage earners.
I also did like the plot twist at the end which I don’t want to spoil. It was a neat plot twist although a little predictable. The ending was also pure genius and Teacher Emmy’s reaction might just be the same reaction we have when we switch over to the news these days.
Overall Balota was a good film to watch especially with the elections just around the corner. It serves as a good reminder for people the right candidates and to stand up for their rights. Balota reminds the higher ups also to do actually do their part and fulfill their promises although that’s very farfetched.
Balota worked to deliver it’s message in satirical format, almost cartoony or video game-y too in nature but it does the trick in trying to open people’s eyes when it comes to voting and the power it has in shaping our lives.
