And the Breadwinner Is…

The Breadwinner's Burden

It’s a story about a typical Filipino family — complete with extended relatives and all the drama that comes with it. It follows the struggles of an OFW breadwinner, Bambi, who’s been working abroad for years. But when she finally comes home, expecting to see the house she’s been sending money for… surprise! It doesn’t exist. Turns out, her brother spent the money and even pawned the house.

The movie hits hard because it’s so real. A lot of Filipinos with family abroad can relate to this. When you’re working overseas, people just assume you’re loaded. They keep asking for money until you’re left with almost nothing for yourself. Sad but true. Not everyone’s like that, but it happens more often than we’d like to admit.

It also highlights the tight-knit bond Filipino families are known for. Whether they’re going through tough times or enjoying the good ones, they stick together no matter what. That’s just how it is here.

As for the ending? Just be prepared — emotionally and with lots of tissues. 😅

And the Breadwinner is a heavy drama with just the right touch of comedy, which I really enjoyed. The production value is quiet good and the soundtrack in the end? Chef's kiss - it's deep and meaningful. And of course, Vice Ganda totally nailed the role — no surprise there!

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With great responsibility, comes greater respect

I was all prepared to go ballistic when I finished the movie because I saw the plot twist coming ten minutes in - but I sat through it, because I could feel that I was in for something that was truly worth the watch.

It did not disappoint.

The story is pretty straightforward - Bambi, our lead, is an OFW in Taiwan who returns home for her birthday and to her family who have been documenting the home she's asked them build in her stead with the money she sends home. Only, no new house and the family's spent all the house money on other projects.
A bunch of mishaps take place and somehow everyone believes Bambi is dead, but when they discover she's not, the entire family decides to scam the insurance company out of the life policy under Bambi's name.

The narrative is kind of here and there, they went hard on the comedy in the first half, heavy with the emotions on the second, a thing I've noticed in quite a few Filipino titles. The comedy was decently executed, I found myself chuckling a bit at times but it was the emotional second half that really got to me.

We get bits and pieces here and there that clues us in on the complicated family situation the characters have going on - five siblings who all have different visions and needs for their lives, and a ton of baggage amongst them are suddenly under one roof, but we never really get the full story. Until, of course, this huge blown up argument between all the family members that lasted around 20 minutes.
Every grievance they have against each other is all out in the open and it's kind of information overload, but it doesn't really matter, because they deliver on what they banked on while writing the script - emotions.

The story relied heavily on the audience sympathizing with the lead and maybe even the supporting characters, and they nailed it. Especially since all the actors delivered in aces. The acting was actually so incredible that I was moved to tears.

A couple of things that could have been worked on? The choppy narrative and I did think the characters could have been fleshed out a bit more, it would've enriched an already great movie.

This was a genuinely good movie, perhaps not something quite so innovative, but certainly worth it if you're looking for something emotional and melancholic.

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