Amid drought and famine in Cupang, a young woman named Elsa claims to have seen the Virgin Mary and been blessed with the ability to heal the sick. As people flock to witness her powers, the village becomes consumed by faith, prosperity, greed, and deceit. Is Elsa a true symbol of hope in a world desperate for salvation?
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| Isang Himala. (C) Creazion (via Esquire) |
Adapting a musical stage play into a film can be tricky. You're almost bound to miss something in the translation. In Isang Himala, there are struggles with pacing, as the scenes move abruptly from one to the next. As a result, its almost two-and-a-half-hour runtime feels long at times.
However, one can still find something new in it. Director Pepe Diokno effectively uses the new medium (with music by Ricky Lee and Vincent De Jesus) to further highlight the perspectives of various characters. It's clear that the message it aims to convey still resonates deeply.
From a production standpoint, this is a visually stunning film, feeling like a gorgeous, moving painting. With a cast full of theater veterans, the singing led by Aicelle Santos, Bituin Escalante, and Kakki Teodoro is flawless. Teodoro shines in every scene she's in, while Santos brings new depth to the iconic character.
The film also picks up toward the end. The final scene remains as powerful as ever, making the ticket price worthwhile on its own. It arguably remains the perfect encapsulation of our country.
As if people have already forgotten or missed the point, Isang Himala serves as a reminder that it is we who make the miracles. Unfortunately, its relevance endures. This is what cinema is made for. 3.5/5 ⭐
Isang Himala is now playing in cinemas.
