Waiting for Sunset (Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon): Movie Review

There's something about films that capture the essence of daily life that moves us. It's a very hard thing to do - to make the monotonous and the typical very interesting and bursting with emotion. "Waiting for Sunset" (or "Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon") from Carlo Enciso Catu is that very rare gem.

Celso (Menggie Cobarrubias) and Tere (Perla Bautista) have been together for decades but are still unmarried due to the fact that Tere is legally married to another man who just one day decided to he doesn't love her anymore. But an unexpected call suddenly disturbs their idyllic lives when Tere's estranged husband Bene (Dante Rivero) reaches out to not only seek for help but sympathy, reconciliation and ultimately, forgiveness as he reveals that he has a terminal sickness and only have a short time to live.

For some reason, "Waiting for Sunset" reminded us heavily of Alfonso Cuarón's epic film "Roma". Primarily, how both films focuses on the mundane things in life to make a film that is relatable and more substantial. In fact, expect "Waiting for Sunset" to take its time in pacing out its narrative. We really don't know anything about our main characters until midway through the film. Little tidbits are unveiled and stories inter-weaved in a very subtle, slow but natural manner. Unfortunately, the film's outstanding pacing in its first hour suddenly becomes rushed in its last half hour. But at the end of the day, its narrative still felt really real and not something artificial or theatrical. Additionally, it wasn't predictable at all and the way things turned out was a surprise without revealing too much detail. Aside from its story, the script also had the same impact. The film is jam-packed full of quotable conversations that is not only relevant to our characters' plight but also for the audience and even society as a matter of fact. The camera work by Carlo Enciso Catu was marvelous as he was able to capture the wonder and beauty of each scene - even an old rundown house looks amazing. Finally, the acting between the three main characters was on beat to the material. We have no issues with Menggie Cobarubbias, Perla Bautista and Dante Rivero. "Waiting for Sunset" may not have shouting or crying to impact or move audiences but it has its most poignant and quietest moments in tow to unexpectedly tug at your emotional and psychological core.