Smaller and Smaller Circles: The Movie
I think it's been ten years, I think, since I've read Smaller and Smaller Circles but I still remember it. Being a mystery and crime fiction buff, I was stunned by this book's well-crafted plot in a familiar setting. It was like Silence of the Lambs but more believable, not just because of the familiar setting but because the writer really drew you in to the thought processes of the crime-solver protagonist.
So I was quite excited to have a chance to watch the new movie adaptation in an advanced screening for teachers. And while it was in a tiny theater and looked washed out (I actually thought that was on purpose, alluding to the fact that it was set twenty years ago), it was an excellent movie. The acting was believable and I like how it dealt with social issues and religious dilemmas subtly while maintaining the narrative flow. It brings up issues for consideration but doesn't provide answers, which would make it a rich movie for discussion in social science and theology classes. Moreso as its presentation of Philippine society was so carefully balanced: Most of the poor parents are shown to be caring, but there's one drunken mother. There are seedy politicians but also a good barangay councilor, and a couple of creepy men of the cloth opposing the two exemplary priest protagonists. While there isn't an equivalent set-up in media, the dilemma is shown: at times Joanna's probing, tear-inducing questions seem like exploitation, yet clearly the anchorwoman gets truly moved and helps solve the mystery for the sake of the people.
The filmmaker was particularly brilliant in keeping the identity of the serial killer mysterious while confirming the inferences of the priests about him. The killer was never shown until the end, not even from the back; in a later scene his arm could be seen but nothing else to identify him. And yet his frightening presence could be felt in the scenes where he approaches the kids, even if the children reacted with innocent friendliness to him. The child actors were amazing, by the way, and the only complaint one could make of them and the rest of the Payatas cast was that they looked a little too clean. The setting, however, was clearly authentic.
My husband and I had a discussion about the new character, Joanna the TV reporter, about whether she was really necessary. I said that for some reason, having Fr. Saenz interact with her made him more likable and human. I guess one reason was that he seemed more relatable, whereas in the novella he was a little too detached and analytical, so I wasn't sure if he really felt anything. The fact he showed caring for more people, more issues and that we heard his voice discussing such things rounded out his character, making him more than just a pathologist and brilliant priest but one with heart. And the fact that he could respond with real friendliness towards Joanna despite her rejection of religion makes it more believable that he can treat the killer with sympathy when he speaks bitterly against God. I also think her character is easier for young adults to relate to. The dilemma of why if there is a God he lets terrible things happen is one pondered by many young people. While few would go as far as the killer, many would question the way Joanna does, and she presents the best way to make peace with it, by focusing on what we can do about the wrongs in the world rather than waiting for God to mend them.
There were a few other scenes I would have liked to see: the back stories of the child victims for one--though they promise to show shorts of these to promote the movie. I found their stories in the book so moving. Then there's the killer's diary, mentioned in the book--would have loved to have seen some of the pages. Oh, and it's a small thing, but I would have enjoyed seeing Fr. Saenz in the dentist's chair and seeing the clue that unlocked it all. I would think the fact that he has a phobia of dentists would lead him to make an emotional as well as intellectual connection to murder at that moment. Right, maybe it's not such a small thing; it would have made for quite dramatic storytelling.
All in all it was a good film, and I look forward to seeing it again. I definitely would encourage my friends in UP, Ateneo, UA&P, Miriam, Raya School, and FEU to take advantage of producers' eagerness to hold screenings of the film for teachers. And hope you don't mind if I sneak into another one.
So I was quite excited to have a chance to watch the new movie adaptation in an advanced screening for teachers. And while it was in a tiny theater and looked washed out (I actually thought that was on purpose, alluding to the fact that it was set twenty years ago), it was an excellent movie. The acting was believable and I like how it dealt with social issues and religious dilemmas subtly while maintaining the narrative flow. It brings up issues for consideration but doesn't provide answers, which would make it a rich movie for discussion in social science and theology classes. Moreso as its presentation of Philippine society was so carefully balanced: Most of the poor parents are shown to be caring, but there's one drunken mother. There are seedy politicians but also a good barangay councilor, and a couple of creepy men of the cloth opposing the two exemplary priest protagonists. While there isn't an equivalent set-up in media, the dilemma is shown: at times Joanna's probing, tear-inducing questions seem like exploitation, yet clearly the anchorwoman gets truly moved and helps solve the mystery for the sake of the people.
The filmmaker was particularly brilliant in keeping the identity of the serial killer mysterious while confirming the inferences of the priests about him. The killer was never shown until the end, not even from the back; in a later scene his arm could be seen but nothing else to identify him. And yet his frightening presence could be felt in the scenes where he approaches the kids, even if the children reacted with innocent friendliness to him. The child actors were amazing, by the way, and the only complaint one could make of them and the rest of the Payatas cast was that they looked a little too clean. The setting, however, was clearly authentic.
My husband and I had a discussion about the new character, Joanna the TV reporter, about whether she was really necessary. I said that for some reason, having Fr. Saenz interact with her made him more likable and human. I guess one reason was that he seemed more relatable, whereas in the novella he was a little too detached and analytical, so I wasn't sure if he really felt anything. The fact he showed caring for more people, more issues and that we heard his voice discussing such things rounded out his character, making him more than just a pathologist and brilliant priest but one with heart. And the fact that he could respond with real friendliness towards Joanna despite her rejection of religion makes it more believable that he can treat the killer with sympathy when he speaks bitterly against God. I also think her character is easier for young adults to relate to. The dilemma of why if there is a God he lets terrible things happen is one pondered by many young people. While few would go as far as the killer, many would question the way Joanna does, and she presents the best way to make peace with it, by focusing on what we can do about the wrongs in the world rather than waiting for God to mend them.
There were a few other scenes I would have liked to see: the back stories of the child victims for one--though they promise to show shorts of these to promote the movie. I found their stories in the book so moving. Then there's the killer's diary, mentioned in the book--would have loved to have seen some of the pages. Oh, and it's a small thing, but I would have enjoyed seeing Fr. Saenz in the dentist's chair and seeing the clue that unlocked it all. I would think the fact that he has a phobia of dentists would lead him to make an emotional as well as intellectual connection to murder at that moment. Right, maybe it's not such a small thing; it would have made for quite dramatic storytelling.
All in all it was a good film, and I look forward to seeing it again. I definitely would encourage my friends in UP, Ateneo, UA&P, Miriam, Raya School, and FEU to take advantage of producers' eagerness to hold screenings of the film for teachers. And hope you don't mind if I sneak into another one.
No comments have been added yet.
