And the Breadwinner Is... review:
Watching And the Breadwinner Is... was an experience that left me with mixed feelings. As someone who enjoys family-themed movies and has been a fan of both Jun Lana's and Vice Ganda's work, I was genuinely excited to see what this film had to offer. However, while it had its moments, it didn’t entirely live up to my expectations.
The first half of the film, unfortunately, felt like a misstep. The slapstick humor, which I hoped would bring light-hearted fun, instead felt cringeworthy and at times even offensive. I have nothing against physical comedy or even dark humor, but the jokes here often missed the mark, leaning on tired tropes like making fun of appearances and weight. There were moments that had potential, but the execution left much to be desired.
The second half of the movie, praised in many reviews as a departure for Vice Ganda, had its strengths but also its flaws. The portrayal of the mother’s dementia stood out as a genuine and heartfelt moment, but other dramatic elements felt disjointed. For instance, the sequence of confrontations lacked logic. It felt unnatural that the family’s biggest issues weren’t addressed earlier, and when the climactic argument finally came, it felt overly drawn out and slightly forced.
That said, there were parts I genuinely appreciated. Vice Ganda's interaction with the child characters, especially the "MaPa" conversation, was both touching and nuanced. It reflected a deeper exploration of non-traditional family dynamics that resonated with me. And the inclusion of SB19’s "MaPa" as the theme song was a perfect touch, encapsulating the film’s emotional core.
Ultimately, while I admire the attempt to delve into themes of family, sacrifice, and the unique burdens of LGBTQ+ breadwinners, the execution fell short. I couldn’t shake the feeling that the script needed more refinement to fully realize its potential.
And the Breadwinner Is... may be one of Vice Ganda’s better films, but for Jun Lana, it felt like a step back. I wanted to love it—truly—but in the end, it just wasn’t for me.
Based on the mixed feelings and critique, I’d rate And the Breadwinner Is... a 6/10. It has heartfelt moments and a meaningful core concept, but the uneven humor and disjointed execution prevent it from fully shining.
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