WE’VE SEEN two of the entries in Cinema One Filmfest now going on at Shangrila Cinema. One is a test of patience (we won’t say yet which one) and one is engaging viewing, “Anatomiya ng Korupsiyon”, directed by Dennis Marasigan from a play by Malou Jacob, just like his past “North Diversion Road” that was also based on a play.
Maricar Reyes shines brightly as a new and idealistic lawyer (she’s a doctor in real life) who gets assigned in the office of a judge (
Ricky Davao) where everyone is corrupt, from lawyer Sid Lucero to clerk Jojit Lorenzo and all her other officemates. She refuses to be swallowed by the system even if she has an ailing mom (Raquel Villavicencio) who says she’s just like her late dad, also an incorruptible lawyer who died a pauper. The film is set in the 80s during the Marcos and we’re wondering why Dennis didn’t update it when the corrupt practices shown there are still happening up to now. His epilogue showing an interview with whistleblower Jun Lozada of the ZTE scandal (who was there at the screening) would have been more apt if the material was set in the present. Maricar is so lovely on screen. We just wish her acting in her breakdown scene when she confronted her officemates was a bit toned down so she didn’t come on as to shrill. But still, it’s a good performance for us.
