Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageJaguar (1979)
Director: Lino Brocka
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Originally banned for export by the Marcos government, and only released after pressure from the Cannes Film Festival, where it was the first Filipino film to be shown in competition. Just as Manila: In the Claws of Darkness plundered melodrama, Jaguar plunders the American gangster movie (plus possibly blaxploitation pix such as Shaft) to express Brocka's rage about poverty and repression. Jaguar is slang for bodyguard, and the hero guards a smart apartment block, supports his family, and stays out of trouble. But when he intervenes in a fight, saving the life of a wealthy playboy and landowner, he gets hired as the man's personal guard and falls for his girlfriend. Gradually, in spite of himself, he is dragged down into crime, becoming a murderer and finally going berserk in jail. Despite budgetary limitations and some wooden acting, the passion of the picture comes across powerfully, as does its portrait of a society in which violence and resentment are endemic.Author: ATu
Cast & crew
Director: Lino Brocka
Cast: Phillip Salvador, Amy Austria, Menggie Cobarrubias, Anita Linda, Johnny Delgado, Tonio Gutierrez full cast
Genre(s): Thrillers
Duration: 110 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now