Citizen Jake (2018): A Movie Review



Citizen Jake is a drama film that reflects the socio-political status of our country, directed and produced by Mike De Leon, a Filipino filmmaker who has created movies in the late 20th century which primarily reflect social realities in the Philippines. Citizen Jake is his latest creation after 19 years and the first movie of him that I watched. He is also one of the writers along with Noel Pascual and Atom Araullo (the lead actor of the movie).

I got to watch the screening of Citizen Jake in UPLB at the D.L. Umali Hall last April 26, 2018 - sponsored by UP Cell Biological Society.


The film highlights the current state of the Philippine political system, and how a single voice put into limelight the injustices within an existing political dynasty. Citizen Jake aims to interrogate and not turn a blind eye on the current tyranny within our society. A timely and relevant topic for everyone.

The movie started mildly by introducing the lead character, Jake (played by a novice actor Atom Araullo) who happens to be a teacher and a citizen journalist - a blogger who utilizes social media. He is in dispute with his political family - his father Jacobo Herrara (played by Teroy Guzman), a senator, and brother Roxie (played by Gabby Eigenmann), a congressman, about family matters and political stance as well. 
This is true to what Mike De Leon has stated, 
Citizen Jake is a fictional drama of a dysfunctional privileged Filipino family.
Jake resides in Baguio where he has lived with his Mother ( played by Dina Bonnevie) who left them in his childhood. The conflict started when a lady named Grace was found brutally dead in an inn - who happens to be a student of Jake and his girlfriend Mandy (played by Max Collins). Mandy, being a sympathetic and close friend of Grace, asked Jake for help to uncover the truth behind the student's mysterious death which they claimed murder. Their search for truth and justice unexpectedly uncovered more dirty secrets about the crime which involves Grace's friend, Heidi (played by Anna Luna), prostitution, and even politicians and business people in the locality who incidentally are known by Jake himself. 

As Jake learns more about the crime and the truth behind it, he found himself conflicted as it involves his family, particularly his father and his father's friends in politics. He has even more struggled in dealing with his personal matters as his Mother still haunts him in his dreams, his relationship status with Mandy, and his friendship with Jonie (played by  Adrian Alandy; who serves as the caretaker, along with his parents, of their house in Baguio) as he discovered he is being monitored and reported to his brother Roxie and deprived of the truth he deserved about his mother . 

Finally discovering the truth, Jake is stunned as politics and prostitution were behind the crime itself. He confronted Patti Medina (played by Cheri Gil), a businesswoman, wife of a politician who is known to Jake and his family, after knowing that she is the pimp who recruited women like Heidi who herself recruited her then friend now dead Grace. Jake also found out that the brutally murdered student had an affair with a politician named Resti (played by Nonie Buencamino) who revealed the truth that Grace was raped by allegedly police officers instructed by Resti's political opponents. Jake's character ended up deadly as he dared to stand his ground and to oppose anything against his conviction and principles as he fights for what he believes in and for people he loves. 

The film displays corruption and manipulation in the society by people with high social stature and presents feudalism and paternalism as underprivileged citizens are robbed of their aspirations by people in power.  Citizen Jake succeeds in telling a message that the relationship of social status and politics here in the country are interlinked in manipulating a system - the Philippine political system where tyranny persists and injustices prevail. 

I congratulate Atom Araullo for his acting debut. It's understandable that his acting skills can be improved to give more life and justice to the character he himself has co-written. As expected, beautiful performance from veteran actors. Let me have an honorable mention to Ms. Cherie Gil for a short but remarkable scene with Atom Araullo! 


I praise the screenplay -partly. I was bothered by the evident bilingualism of the narrative. Transitioning from Filipino to English on and forth seemed so inconsistent but thanks to Atom's narrative voice who convincingly deliver the message it aims to relay. 


I particularly notice the style of cinematography as I've seen parts taken that I only see in international movies (I hope I know what it's called, so I'm stating this subjectively as I have watched local movies less than foreign ones). I liked the film just because of that. 

One thing that I really wish Citizen Jake has considered is adding more film score to scenes that really ask for it. Background music was subtle (well obviously) but I truly find it lacking in the whole movie itself.

---
Rating the movie wholly, I have it 3.5 out of 5

Plot - Honestly, it's a reality we turn a blind eye on. The story truly does happen; the events are really likely and were based on a existing social reality. It just turned out predictable.

Cast - Good casting from novice to veteran. However, I do believe that the lead role can be executed more beautifully by an actor in profession.

Cinematography - I really liked it from what I aforementioned. It takes Filipino Film to a higher level.

Scoring- I aforementioned my frustration with the film score because this element also plays a significant role in conditioning the viewer's feeling as it gives the vibes of such scenes.

Message - People may misconstrue this as an anti-administration (Well, the film is critical in politics), but I think it delivered well.  "Malalaswa at kurakot ang mga nasa itaas."

Citizen Jake taught me that we shan't turn a blind eye to the social realities we know exist but choose to ignore. It's a brave film that uses explicit language and intends to deliver a crucial message. Thus, I am privileged to see a movie that exhibits freedom of speech and artistic expression!

Audience waiting in line

Movie Poster in UPLB screening
















There was a meaningful poem recited by Lucas, a history teacher of Jake (played by Lou Veleso). Let me share it as it's full of wisdom! 


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