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.jpg "Image") Even as I begin to write I am aware of how much I cannot praise The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros enough. The film in its scope of narrative deftly handles its themes of identity and family whilst encouraging the audience to invest in the film’s central character, Maxi, portrayed with alarming clarity and true charm by Nathan Lopez.
The film at its best is a celebration of how difference does not need to be a limitation. Maxi, from the beginning of the film, clearly has the support of his family despite his difference. There is no question that Maxi wearing girls’ clothes and lip gloss makes him stand out on the streets of Sampaloc, Manila, yet his difference is celebrated. Maxi is popular amongst his peers and his bright demeanour seems to enliven all those he comes into contact with!
However, tensions do exist beneath the surface and these tensions are what threaten Maxi’s youth. Taken out of school, despite his intelligence, Maxi has adopted the role of mother to his brothers and father, yet seems happy at first to care for his family. Not ignorant to, but accepting of his father’s criminal dealings, Maxi is the focus of dotage from his brothers who watch over him. .jpg "Image") Despite Maxi’s childhood abandon and relaxed expression of who he is through a wonderful wardrobe, the devout Catholicism and criminality of his two older brothers and father soon dominates his daily life on the streets. The shrine to his dead mother dominates their small home and despite the love all brothers share for her, each is torn apart from each other as the film progresses.
To make things harder for the family, the arrival of a moral and firm cop, played excellently by JR Valentin, who befriends Maxi and whom Maxi quickly develops an obsessive affection for throws the criminality of the family into question. To complicate matters further, when Maxi’s brother murders a student in a robbery gone wrong Maxi must decide ultimately where his affection lies, with his family or with Victor. .jpg "Image") The film revolves around a very simple narrative of the loss of innocence. Where do we choose to align ourselves as we grow, with our family or with our desires? However, the truth in the portrayal of a boy coming to terms with his sexuality who meets an older man who represents all that is good with the world has real resonance. Maxi’s coming of age is not complicated by prejudice towards his self expression but is restricted by the lawlessness of his environs and the weight of justice chasing after his family.
The handheld nature of the camerawork and intimacy of close ups ensures a dedication to depicting the mundane realities of living in an impoverished community. A community where the laws of the streets take precedence over justice, right and wrong thus distorted for all its inhabitants. All of the characterisations are flawless and the simplicity of the script almost lends the film a further truth, at times feeling more like reportage than drama. The film is a must see for any young person wanting to rationalise the complexities of growing up different and wanting a brighter future, not only for yourself but for all those around you.
Reviewed by: Rob Drummer
Release Date: 10th September 2007 Certificate: 15 On Demand: Download to rent/stream (£2.99) from http://www.peccadillopod.com (From September 10th) Only registered users can write comments.
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I'm super super excited to seee it CANT WAIT 
