#MMFF2022 Family Matters

Family Matters: 

Nuel C. Naval

Noel Trinidad, Liza Lorena, Noni Buencamino, JC Santos, Mylene Dizon, Nikki Valdez. 

Cineko

From the title itself, no matter how far you’ve achieved in life at the end of the day you will always go back to your family, they will always be your core, your strength, and your inspiration, that’s why Family Matters. 

The movie follows the story of a 55 year old couple Francisco(Noel Tr8nidad) and Eleanor (Liza Lorena) and how they deal with their 4 children Kiko(Buencamino), Fortune(Dizon), Ellen(Valdez), and Enrico(Santos) as they face some health crisis as they grow older. 

Along the story they discover the struggles and troubles that their kids are facing as they are now with their own families, the couple felt they failed to raise them as they felt that they are causing them a burden as they try to stay in each of their kids' homes with their own family. 

Later the couple made their kids realize that at the end of the day they are still one family and that family will always matter the most. 

The film has a strong ensemble, from veteran actors Noel Trinidad and Liza Lorena, up to the seasoned character actors such as Nonie Buencamino who by the way delivered an exceptional performance, Mylene Dizon, Nikki Valdez, and JC Santos who did well portraying their characters in this movie. 

Unfortunately, Family Matters may seem to be a typical family drama we’ve seen in the past, the story is simple and cliché, the movie followed the exact same formula of every family movie we’ve seen from Star Cinema, Regal Films, and Viva Films. 

At almost 2 hours and 30 minutes this is also the longest movie in this year’s film fest, although it was not that dragging, the movie could’ve ended at some point of the movie. 

Anyway, from a viewer like me who hasn't watched the trailer nor know the actors who will appear in this movie, I am contented with what Family Matters gave. Dialogues may sound cliché, but it doesn't matter anymore because it is still a genuine satisfactory motion picture.

Family Matters not winning any single award is a robbery in itself. I guess this is the perfect film this holiday season suited for any age, we have not seen a family movie like this in the film festival for some time now. A film that has no antagonist but just a heartfelt narrative everybody can relate to.

Rating: ⅘