Advertisement

Movies & TV Movies & TV Reviews

Graceland

GRACELAND (Ron Morales). 84 minutes. Subtitled. Opens Friday (May 10). For venues and times, see listings. Rating: NNNN


Graceland is a small film that deals with big issues via a smart script that keeps you on edge all along the way.

In Manila, Marlon (Arnold Reyes) is the driver for corrupt congressman Chango (Menggie Cobarrubias), who has a predilection for young girls. When kidnappers attack the car, they kill Chango’s daughter and snatch Marlon’s daughter Elvie (Elle Guevara). They’re after Chango for reasons that slowly emerge.

Reyes is superb as the driver anguished by his complicity in his boss’s creepy behaviour and desperate to save his daughter – and his ailing wife – while coping with the fact that he’s become the cops’ prime suspect. It doesn’t help that he’s compelled by the kidnappers to perpetuate the fiction that Chango’s child is still alive.

Screenwriter Ron Morales has a gift for twists and turns, and as a director he shows complete command of the material, the tone and the gritty atmosphere in what is only his second feature.

As the story unfolds – leaking information that consistently subverts our expectations – Graceland takes an unblinking look at the mean streets of Manilla, police corruption and human trafficking.

The child prostitution sequences are knockouts.

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.