A handbook on the perils of living

Death is an eventuality we all fear, but do not even want to discuss. I therefore admire the courage of those filmmakers who work around the topic of death, the dying and even funeral customs and traditions.

Among the significant local films that have tackled these topics in the past were Ishmael Bernal’s Pahiram ng Isang Umaga, Mark Meiley’s Crying Ladies, Chris Martinez’s 100 and only a few months ago, Soxy Topacio’s hilarious Ded na si Lolo.

The indie film Last Viewing is also about death and funerals, but it focuses this time on the people who perform what we may call “the dirty job.” Let’s admit it, many of us do not even want to touch objects that once belonged to a dead person — especially one who had just died. But somebody has to have the stomach to do the embalming, to be the undertaker and in the story of Last Viewing, the one in-charge of the crematorium.

Directed by Ronaldo Bertubin, Last Viewing casts Janice de Belen as an unwed mother of a special child — a daughter who cannot even say “Mama” even if she is already in pre-school (enrolled through a special arrangement with the very patient nursery teacher). As the supervisor of a crematorium, she is perfect for the job because as her boss, Tommy Abuel, points out to her, she is often devoid of emotion and can be quite impersonal when performing the task of cremating mortal remains and even dealing with the bereaved. Most likely she is hardened by the circumstances around her, especially when her father disowns her for getting pregnant out of wedlock.

Graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB), Last Viewing may not turn out to be another classic like Pahiram ng Isang Umaga, but is undeniably a fine piece of work. Although long at two hours (it really could have used some more trimming), the movie (with script by Romualdo Avellanosa) has a lot of heart-wrenching moments, particularly in the last few scenes toward the end. Of course, I cannot tell you what happens in the story, but it has something to do with her beloved daughter (played by Maro Panganiban). All I can say is that this film contains one of the most memorable moments ever captured in Philippine cinema. Even a person with a heart of stone will choke with emotions when presented with this scene.

The artistic success of Last Viewing can be attributed not only to the writing and direction, but also to the sterling performance of Janice. Her character is cold and she is consistent from beginning to end — as the role requires her to be. She actually only warms up to her daughter because the child is the love of her life. Her shining moment, however, is in that scene that I’m telling you about and it’s worth to see the film if only for that. But don’t blame me if you come out of the movie theater with a feeling of heaviness in your heart. However, it’s best not to pass it up because the said scene — with Janice’s acting — is a rarity in local movies.

I also have to mention that the performance of Angel Jacob is praise-worthy. A model who does occasional parts in movies, she is brilliant in her brief role as a woman who ends up sharing Janice’s love for her special child (how this happens is for you to find out). In fact, she and Janice have one scene where neither speaks and yet it says a lot about humanity and kindness — about selflessness.

Aside from death, Last Viewing also has some tender moments and even comic relief (the scene where the two wives of a man whose remains are about to be cremated is quite funny).   

Ironically, this film that uses a crematorium for a backdrop is really about life — how to live it, face up to its challenges and go through the struggles during difficult times. Life is not a bed of roses — not even a soft satin lining of a luxurious casket. Life on earth is difficult, but we have to live it — the way Janice’s screen character ploughs through the ups and downs. In spite of what happened to her child, life goes on and she does not give up — no, not because she is cold-hearted and indifferent, but because she knows she has to be strong in order to survive. 

Without lecturing, Last Viewing is a handbook on how to deal with the perils of living. It is about the people you have to deal with — in life until death.