Love, at all costs
A review of Atom Magadia's Dagsin
With the opening of a Pandora’s box of secrets, “Dagsin” by Atom Magadia entices its viewers as it dangles the promise of suspense and revelation of untold stories between a husband and his wife.
Depressed because of the recent death of his wife, Judge Razon (Tommy Abuel) is living his life in a loop with one foot still submerged in the past. A survivor of the Japanese War, Martial Law and more complications in life, he opens himself to the idea of reuniting with his wife through means that are deemed unacceptable by society.
The movie is propelled through flashbacks of the younger Judge “Justino” Razon (Benjamin Alves) and his relationship with Corazon (Janine Gutierez) in an alternate storytelling that jumps from one period to another. Judge Razon asks Mercy (Lotlot de Leon) to give him the box of Corazon’s diaries she finds while rummaging through her mother’s things. Judge leafs through them to relive the moments they shared together. He also narrates pieces of the whole story to Grace (Sue Prado), the nurse Mercy hired to take care of Judge.
As the promise of a mystery sucks you in, the film more or less fails to do so. What appeared to be a complex story was executed anticlimactically. The introduction of different revelations in the film was presented in a manner that was predictable because of the clues scattered all over the story. The film lacked story build up.
The inclusion of Grace’s father in the story and her role in the lives of Julio and Mercy was uneventful. The film could have done okay without their characters as it did not help propel the story forward.
Yet Tommy Abuel’s acting was rich as he was able to communicate the grieving Julio to the audience. It was very evident how much Julio’s love is for Cora because from the beginning, all he wanted was to be with Cora. Benjamin Alves and Janine Gutierrez’s chemistry on screen was easy on the eyes as they acted out the part of the lovers well, although there were parts where Gutierrez’s acting was somewhat off.
"Dagsin" is an engaging film when it counts. The progression of Justo and Cora’s love story starting when they met in college, year 1930, draws the viewer in as it is mixed with warm and "kilig" scenes that will make one relish young love. Old-fashioned but good romance sets the tone for "Dagsin" as the whole movie revolves around Julio’s undying love for Cora. The statement "Till death do us part" manifests the strength and hold they have over each other.
Towards the end, the gravity of Judge Razon’s actions and the consequences he is facing is deeply felt. The question left to the audience is a question of morality towards some actions, if the means to achieve the end can be considered just.
With irony, emotions and scenes that will linger, "Dagsin" is a film that luxuriously tackles a relationship how a person can be chained to the past. Atom Magadia masterfully paints pictures of love, happiness, loss and tragedy in a narrative that holds its viewers, despite its faults. Dagsin makes you feel human.
