Be it sacrifices to achieve triumphs or overcome rather “trichirous” [treacherous] encounters with professors, the survival-of-the-fittest attitude portrayed isn’t mere R&R (Rest & Recuperation). Amidst the boys’ boisterous banter, the film speaks volumes between these lines.
Directed and written by Kip Oebanda, Bar Boys, a 2017 Pista Ng Pelikulang Pinoy entry, zeroes in on the suave sharp-tongued Torran (Ricci Nacino); the endearingly conyo Chris (Enzo Pineda); and the iron-willed Erik (Carlo Aquino) as they march into the fray to become lawyers—whilst Josh (Kean Cipriano) grows a spine to pursue his modelling career when barred to join his barkada on this particular path.
Being a challenging task in itself, Bar Boys glorifies the grit and grind of academic life with numerous, but not overdone, and at times comical, studying montages. The narrative desists from being one-dimensional. However, it also prompts the quartet to navigate their own spectrum of moralities that are seldom plainly black or white.
From Torran’s encounters with fraternity culture, its perceived perks and potentially perilous costs, and his “it-is-what-it-is” inclination on the subject manner; to the high stakes dichotomy of what a mark means for Chris and Erik that asks on the degree of their friendship. The tension is heightened by Erik’s very presence at law school, which took a toll on his exceedingly industrious father who strived as a security guard to afford Erik a life and a dream he did not have himself in his youth; and with Chris quiet desperation for the finality of his father’s approval. Even Josh prompts the audience to confront a classical conundrum when he asks his buddies the implications of representing a guilty client.
Atty. Fernandez, moreover, was masterfully brought to life by the veteran actress Odette Khan for which she won three “Best Supporting Actress” awards in 2018. On the other hand, she depicted the crucial pursuit of excellence in the study and practice of law as she shares the all-or-nothing nature of high-profile cases that could determine the course of her client's lives.
From dealing with love and loss, friendship, and family, comes full circle as it moves its audience through the wheel-like ups and downs of life. Bar Boys‘ cinematography cleverly stitches everything together with neat scenes that include the suggestion of shattered bones with eating a potato crisp, for starters. Its storyline develops organically as it unfolds and satisfyingly ties up all the subplots toward the end.
Its cast, on the other hand, enables the suspension of disbelief quite well aside from the occasional exaggeration for comedic effect; but since the film was loosely based on law students’ lives, one may never know whether such gags held truth to them or not.
In addition, the film’s scenes and their pacing neither choked the audience with the various character’s portrayal nor did it unjustly gloss over its relatable themes for the sake of squeezing in as many relatable elements to it—as it is simply an indie gem to behold.
Furthermore, Bar Boys is now available for viewing on YouTube through this link.
Rating: 5/5
