Magnifico (film)

Magnifico
File:Magnificomovie.jpg
Directed by	Maryo J. De los Reyes
Written by	Michiko Yamamoto (screenplay and story)
Starring	Jiro Manio Lorna Tolentino Albert Martinez Gloria Romero Mark Gil Celia Rodriguez Amy Austria Cherry Pie Picache Tonton Gutierrez Danilo Barrios
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino/Tagalog/English

Magnifico is a 2003 Philippine FAMAS Award-winning drama film directed by Maryo J. De los Reyes, written by Michiko Yamamoto, and starring Jiro Manio, Lorna Tolentino, Albert Martinez, Gloria Romero.

Plot

In a Philippine village outside the city of Luzon, one special boy changes the lives of everyone he meets. Known to all as Magnifico, his name is Pikoy, a child of an impoverished family. His father works odd jobs, his elder brother has lost his academic scholarship, and his mother spends her days caring for both Helen, a young daughter, who suffers from cerebral palsey, and for her husband's aging mother, who lives upstairs in the family home. Magnifico is a sweet and well-intentioned boy, who is often berated by his father for his stupidity, an unkind assessment for a child who is considerably more clever than anyone gives him credit for.

Magnifico's world is filled with a cast of characters in need of his special gifts, of hope, of determination, of love. There's the grief-stricken man who mourns for his mother; two feuding shop owners; the crabby old woman who runs the mortuary; his elder brother, who has a crush on a wealthy girl; his little sister, who wants to get out and experience the world, but cannot walk; and even his own ailing grandmother, who worries that the family won't be able to afford a proper burial for her when the time comes. That's a pretty tall order for just one boy.

Nonetheless, Magnifico applies himself diligently to the task, concocting a remedy for the mortician's ailments, playing matchmaker for his love struck brother, industriously scheming to provide a burial gown and coffin for his grandmother, and negotiating a wheelchair so he can take his invalid sister to the carnival. Seeking nothing for himself, with his undaunted dedication to bring joy to the people he loves, Magnifico somehow manages to find just the right solution to fill every need. And when the night of the big carnival arrives, his efforts pay off in spades.

Cast

• Jiro Manio as Magnifico
• Lorna Tolentino as Edna
• Albert Martinez as Gerry
• Gloria Romero as Lola Magda
• Celia Rodriguez as Ka Doring
• Mark Gil as Domeng
• Tonton Gutierrez as Ka Romy
• Amy Austria as Tessie
• Cherry Pie Picache as Cristy
• Danilo Barrios as Miong
• Susan Africa as Pracing
• Isabella De Leon as Helen
• Dindin Llarena as Ria
• Joseph Roble as Carlo
• Girlie Sevilla as Isang
• Jon Romano as Ria's Father (as John Romano)
• Dido De La Paz as Foreman
• Alison VII as Makoy (as Allyson VII Gonzales)
• David Granado as Tessie's Husband
• Scarlet as Teacher
• Jojo Vinzon as Gay Friend
• Dan De Guzman II as Teacher
• Romy Guiwa as Friend
• Big Boy Gomez as Friend (as Boy Gomez)
• Arnold as Friend
• Cheenee as Friend
• Wendy Hunter as Friend
• Brilla Graza as Friend
• Rosel De Ramos as Pawnshop Teller

Reception

Magnifico gained international acclaim as an indie film in major international film festivals gaining 31 wins and 11 other nominations. It won the Crystal Bear for the 2004 Berlin International Film Festival Children's Category as well as the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk Grand Prix. In the same year, it also garnered seven major awards in the FAMAS Awards, seven awards in the Gawad Urian Awards, seven awards in the Golden Screen Awards and six awards in the FAP Awards in its home country. In 2011, the Gawad Urian Awards Committee proclaimed Magnifico as the "Best Film of the Decade". It received positive reviews from film critics. Currently, it holds a 63% "fresh" rating from Rotten Tomatoes.

External links

• Magnifico at IMDb

hr:Magnifico (2003.) nn:Filmen Magnificent (2003)