Sunshine (Netflix) – Maris Racal Shines in Brave Drama

Sunshine (2024)

Platform: Netflix
Cast: Maris Racal, Elijah Canlas, Jennica Garcia, Xyriel Manabat, Meryll Soriano
Directed By: Antoinette Jadaone
Genre: Drama

The Yawn Meter: Hooked

I got so hooked watching this film. From start to finish, there was not one bad moment. It grabbed my attention and held it because of how real everything felt. Walang tapon, every scene felt necessary. It is definitely worth the watch.

The Breakdown

1. 🎭 Acting & Cast: [ 5 / 5 ]

The cast is great. You can really see that the actors are complementing each other on whatever is needed in the scene. Even the background actors, from the colleagues at the gymnastics team down to the tinderas in Quiapo, felt like they belonged there.

Maris Racal played the character of Sunshine Francisco really well. Her performance was so believable that she really embodied the character. Even her gymnastics performance looked authentic. I am not sure if she had a stunt double but if she did, the editing was excellent because it looked seamless.

The supporting cast was also stellar. Jennica Garcia as the sister, Meryll Soriano as Coach Eden, Elijah Canlas as Miggy, and Xyriel Manabat as Thea all delivered what was needed. Rhed Bustamante as Mary Grace also left a mark.

Special mention to Annika Co who played "Bata" or the mysterious girl shadowing her. Good thing early in the movie I already realized that the kid who suddenly appeared was a psychological manifestation of the child in her womb. It added a nice layer to the storytelling without being over the top.

2. 🔊 Audiovisuals & Production: [ 5 / 5 ]

This is where Sunshine really stood out. Sobrang believable ng production set. It has the details that make everything feel natural. When Sunshine was walking around in Quiapo with all the busy people, the scene was captured perfectly. Kuha niya yung gulo, busy, kalat, usok, at ingay ng lugar.

Even the competition scenes and the training area were well researched and well placed. It is the very little things and the details that support the entire story. Sometimes no matter how good the story is, if the setting is bad, it is hard to believe the scenes. But this film nailed it. All Filipino films should take inspiration from the set of Sunshine and how it was executed.

I also noticed that there was no unnecessary lighting. The team used natural sources whenever they could which made the scenes feel gritty and real rather than staged.

3. ✂️ Editing & Sequencing: [ 5 / 5 ]

What I appreciated most here were the silent moments. You will hear the surroundings but it carries a lot of narrative and emotion.

There were scenes with no music and no audio taking over just to carry the scene. It was the pureness, rawness, and realness that flowed and had an impact. Even the silence was meaningful. The editing of the gymnastics sequences was also top-notch creating a convincing illusion that Maris was doing those high-level stunts.

4. 📜 Plot & Direction: [ 4.5 / 5 ]

I know the topic of the story is really taboo or not socially accepted in our country but films like this open up sides and views we do not understand.

While I personally disagree with how the character decided in the end I commend the braveness to choose that ending. It leaves me questioning the film which makes it really effective. Usually Filipino filmmakers play it safe to avoid bashing but applause to this film for going the other way.

Napa-question lang ako sa isang part 'yung ayaw i-admit nung doctor 'yung friend niya na naglaglag ng dinadala niya. I am not sure if totoong nangyayari 'yung ganun na tinatanggihan ng ospital ang pasyente in that condition. But anyway, it didn’t affect my overall judgment of the film. The execution was still beautiful and everything else was believable.

"Whether you agree with the character's choices or not the film demands to be felt. It is a masterclass in how setting and silence can tell a story just as well as dialogue."

FINAL VERDICT 🎬

"A brave, believable, and technically masterful film."

Sunshine is a triumph in production design and storytelling. It captures the raw reality of Quiapo and the high-stakes world of gymnastics with incredible attention to detail. Maris Racal delivers a powerhouse performance supported by a flawless cast.

It tackles a difficult conversation with bravery refusing to take the safe route often seen in local cinema. Whether you agree with the character's choices or not the film demands to be felt. It is a masterclass in how setting and silence can tell a story just as well as dialogue.

OVERALL RATING: 4.9 / 5 ⭐️

Happy Holidays everyone!