Misis Mo Misis Ko is that rare Carlitos film that actually made sense. Unfortunately, it was also kind of lifeless.
I like the crazy ones--Maricel getting raped, spat on, slapped by her father, fainting, and waking up with amnesia in Abot Kamay ang Pangarap (my favorite)--and all that in the first five minutes.
Then there was Osang in Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin, which is a takeoff on The Lady Without Camelias / Camille / La Traviata. Only in this movie the woman didn't die, so the whole story is pointless.
I love the whorehouse shot and lit like a Disneyland park ride. Kind of obvious he's never been to one in his life.
I also love Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya, with its memorable ending--Osang and Gardo wave a gun in Ricky Davao's face, threatening to take his son; Davao refuses. Gardo, who has a gun, gives up anyway, says they'll leave. Davao stops them, says the boy should be with his mother. Gardo grabs the boy and a suitcase, is about to leave, when Osang stops him and says he only loves her body, not her self (DUH). Gardo is left outside the gate, fuming, with the gun still in his hand.
All faultlessly shot and edited. Technically perfect.
I remember watching one of his films with a filmmaker (won't say who), and him saying "it's amazing--Carlitos has LIVE SOUND, and perfectly recorded." I replied "he obviously wants you to hear every word." He laughed his head off.
Yeah, I guess he's elevated Philippine cinema, only I'd say it was straight into the Twilight Zone.
