In today’s digital world, connection is usually mediated by a screen. Whether through friend requests, video calls, online games or others, technology helps us connect with people from anywhere in the world. However, the paradox is that the very devices that we use to connect is also the cause of the isolation we feel in real life.
This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival features an entry about connection, directed by Jade Castro in his much-awaited cinematic return. Was the film able to aptly deal with the subject of connection in the digital age? That’s what we’re here to find out. Here is SEA Wave’s High Five review of Rekonek.
A Story About Connections
Still from Reality MM Studios
The premise for Rekonek starts with a mysterious internet outage that leaves the world unable to communicate digitally. As people around the world are forced to live offline, the film delves into six different stories about different individuals and families, with an interlinking plot that connects them at the end.
Relationships are put to the test, people rediscover the joys of offline life, and while some people feel the challenges more than others, the film ultimately shows us what real connection means in a meaningful way.
Separate Yet Interrelated Storylines
Stills from Reality MM Studios
The use of interconnected stories acts as a playful framing device à la Love Actually. This makes for a good contrast of themes, each focusing on a different aspect of connection between people at different stages in life. And while the film does its best to juggle multiple plotlines and resolve the story in a satisfactory way, it ultimately has a hard time achieving this through the pacing, resulting in an unevenly told story, underdeveloped subplots, and scenes and characters that could have been fleshed out more if they were given the time.
A Star-Powered Ensemble
Image from Reality MM Studios
The biggest draw of the film is its main cast, which includes big names in the industry. The strongest performance of the film goes to Gloria Diaz, who elevates every scene as she plays an elderly woman that finds peace in the offline world. Meanwhile, Bella Padilla and Andrea Brillantes deliver grounded performances and undeniable chemistry as OFWs.
Not all performances were memorable though, as Gerald Anderson delivers an uninspired performance in his role as a husband drifting away from his wife, while Charlie Dizon did not have nearly as much time to display her acting chops as his partner. The Legaspis leave much to be desired as an influencer family, leaving Carmina Villarroel to pick up the slack as the matriarch.
Cinematography and Visuals
Stills from Reality MM Studios
Despite the rocky pacing and storytelling, the Rekonek delivers when it comes to technical ability and presentation. The film showed off its playful side when it came to presenting the digital world, using computer windows, social media interfaces, and the like for a realistic portrayal of what it’s like communicating with other people online.
Aside from the digital frames, the usage of blocking, lighting, and camera angles draw the eye in every scene and bring out the emotion of the actors. Warm colors highlight the spirit of the Christmas season, while darker tones show the uncertainty of the characters living in this newly disconnected world. Overall, the film is stunning to look at, with vibrant colors, amazing use of contrast, and immaculate composition.
A Christmas Movie Through and Through
Still from Reality MM Studios
At the end of the day, Rekonek is a Christmas movie through and through. Its message of connection is timely and relevant, especially during the holiday season when people from different walks of life reconnect with friends and family over reunions and celebrations. It explores themes of family and forgiveness, and it highlights the importance of actually spending quality time with the people in our lives, to show that we care about them, and to spread the true spirit of Christmas—love.
Overall, Rekonek has a touching message for people to spend more time with their loved ones. The film explores meaningful themes and presents stunning visuals, which is why it’s a shame that it is bogged down by its ambition to tell multiple stories, which ends up hampering the pacing, character development, and overall story progression of the film.
For a movie about connection, Rekonek fails to connect in the ways that matter most. SEA Wave gives it 2.5 out of 5 waves.