I never thought this movie would turn out to be such a trailblazer, an absolute melodrama and a true entertainer, completely like a Philippine equivalent of a Amitabh Bachhan/Paul Newman film, replete with The Beatles too! I thoroughly enjoyed my first Brocka film and got a peek into the Philippine mainstream industry in its most glorious, as claimed by many. The story is an epic one, much in the vein of older Bollywood films, with an old mother, embittered twins, vamps trapping the hero, show biz, betrayals and innocent love, mainly focusing on how one changes with glamor and how one's decisions are made mockery of by the sands of time. And towards the end the film made me moist, and in spite of being very melodramatic, it manages to maintain a pacy story and a sensible one too, at that, with an expertly synchronized screenplay and some very good acting. The video and color quality was very bad and the subtitles were not visible at more than a few places, and even though I was getting a bit wary in the beginning, I ended up loving this film. And the thing that I liked most about this is how the elaborate story is perfectly choreographed and each character's journey is properly fleshed out in limited but well used screen time. This is a feature that allegedly separates Brocka's films from other mainstream productions of that time - character development. He skillfully gives his characters more shades and more dimensions than you would usually spot in a melodrama and that gives the movie a certain believability and reality which wouldn't have otherwise happened. And trust me, it doesn't spoil the potboiler, rather enhances the ride, and in my eyes this is a great confluence of artistic and mass sensibilities, and there are very few other movies I could name in that space.
2 Reviews
Not your a typical Star is Born Narrative
akoaytao123413 May 2024
Warning: Spoilers
A lesser known Lino Brocka's work - Stardoom is not your a typical Star is Born Narrative. In here, everything is drab.
Stardoom centers around a young star who probably has what it takes be a star BUT with the people around him and his position below the rich, he had to give a little more to move ahead (ie sleeping his way around to get favors AND find a step up close to fame).
The structure is divided into two. The Lolita Rodriguez subplot which I found quite long AND while the more dramatic portion, is actually the less interesting part. Its practically tells why she would want her son to be famous AND be rich. Its the same old melodrama trope that I felt did not add much to the 'stardoom' of it all.
The showbiz section is probably one of the darker iteration of fame whoring I have seen in film. It this film, Joey knows and is willing of his power as an attractive person. Unlike most film about fame, it never demoralize the idea that Joey wants to go up the pedestal AND used his looks for it - which is unique BUT also ruthless. Its a dissection of fame is something I expected from Brocka - especially given his harsher Marcos-era movies.
Walter Navarro is a star. He looks really good. I am very shocked that he actually does feel modern and a bit foreign. I have little to no idea who he was. I guess he was a bit forgotten since he stopped working after the 80s. It might have been tough when early 70s with all the economic downturn.
Anyhow, Lolita Rodriguez was fine. I think I saw her in better parts. The backstory section is not just favorite to be honest. Though I would say, Eddie Romero was fantastic as her two faced faker husband. I found his portrayal able and lift the very cheap melodramatic material. Mario O'Hara again plays another homely person role - which is the funniest typecasting in film. A nothing role sadly. He was better in other films of the era to be honest.
Overall, a very interesting film. Brocka always surprise with all his little films.
Stardoom centers around a young star who probably has what it takes be a star BUT with the people around him and his position below the rich, he had to give a little more to move ahead (ie sleeping his way around to get favors AND find a step up close to fame).
The structure is divided into two. The Lolita Rodriguez subplot which I found quite long AND while the more dramatic portion, is actually the less interesting part. Its practically tells why she would want her son to be famous AND be rich. Its the same old melodrama trope that I felt did not add much to the 'stardoom' of it all.
The showbiz section is probably one of the darker iteration of fame whoring I have seen in film. It this film, Joey knows and is willing of his power as an attractive person. Unlike most film about fame, it never demoralize the idea that Joey wants to go up the pedestal AND used his looks for it - which is unique BUT also ruthless. Its a dissection of fame is something I expected from Brocka - especially given his harsher Marcos-era movies.
Walter Navarro is a star. He looks really good. I am very shocked that he actually does feel modern and a bit foreign. I have little to no idea who he was. I guess he was a bit forgotten since he stopped working after the 80s. It might have been tough when early 70s with all the economic downturn.
Anyhow, Lolita Rodriguez was fine. I think I saw her in better parts. The backstory section is not just favorite to be honest. Though I would say, Eddie Romero was fantastic as her two faced faker husband. I found his portrayal able and lift the very cheap melodramatic material. Mario O'Hara again plays another homely person role - which is the funniest typecasting in film. A nothing role sadly. He was better in other films of the era to be honest.
Overall, a very interesting film. Brocka always surprise with all his little films.
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