"Mercury is Mine": radiating the Filipino mentality

Review of Jason Paul Laxamana's "Mercury is Mine"

(photos lifted from Mercury is Mine Facebook page with permission)

Foreigners love to visit the wonders of the Philippines and even settle here, since our country is a paradise with stunning 7,107 islands. Jason Paul Laxamana's "Mercury is Mine" is another film that emphasizes not just the beauty of the Philippines but also the idea of instant fame and fortune, a film that radiates the mentality of Filipinos when it comes to foreigners. After all, we really do adore foreigners and attention.

Set in the foot of Mt. Arayat in Pampanga is a small diner owned by Carmen, a middle-aged woman and aspiring cooking show host. Realizing that her business is no longer profitable, she decides to close it permanently, until a stormy night changes everything. A blond, pale-white American boy named Mercury (like the planet? Nope, more like the drugstore) comes to her shivering from the cold, in search of shelter and food. The next day, Mercury asks if he can work as a waiter in exchange for lodging and food. Hospitably, Carmen accepts the offer and together they go through one bewildering and crazy journey after another.

Usually we see Pokwang do outrageous comedy and even heavy drama in her previous films, but we never or rarely see her crack jokes with a poker face. The role of Carmen is serious and hilarious altogether. Pokwang's perfect timing in delivering witty lines and her trying hard English with a straight face makes the film funnier, rendering memorable lines. Bret Jackson (Mercury) on the other hand is given a more dramatic, dark and crazy character. His role is a burdened fella with too many things happening in his life, yet his charm makes you want to take him home instead, like what Carmen did.

Although the witty lines and hilarious moments grab the audience's attention, there are moments that it becomes too ridiculous to the point of overbearing. There are also instances when the film failed to set the tone when they are heading towards the dramatic scenes.

What is good about this film, besides Topel Lee's cinematography, is that it exhibited a keen observation of the mentality that Filipinos portray when it comes to foreigners - how we often patronize not only foreign products but also language, concept of beauty, and even lifestyle.

"Mercury is Mine" isn’t just about the crazy relationship of foreigners and locals; it also depicts motherly love and the "age doesn’t matter" kind of relationship. Funny thing about this film is that it proves the idea of "there is nothing that holds people together,” like no matter what Carmen does to make Mercury stay, she just can't. After all, Mercury thinks that he is not Carmen’s pet, nor son, nor lover. In short Mercury is not hers.

Disclaimer: the contents of this review are solely the opinion of the writer, and does not necessarily represent the whole PLM Film Society.