(P.S: This is a late posting) My mom and I have been planning to watch Seven Sundays for several weeks now because we’re pretty much suckers for great family dramas. Because it was my birthday yesterday and there was no classes because of the nationwide transport strike, fate seemed to be on our side and provided us with a perfect opportunity to watch the movie. We made the right call. It was a great movie.
Synopsis: Alan (Aga Muhlach), Bryan (Dingdong Dantes), Cha (Cristine Reyes) and Dexter (Enrique Gil) are four siblings who are so busy leading their own lives and dealing with their own issues that they have neglected to spend time with their father (Ronaldo Valdez). After missing his 69 th birthday, they are hailed to the family home by the patriarch to inform them that he is dying of cancer and that his final wish is for the family to spend the last seven Sundays of his life together. While they agree to honor
their father’s wish, the get-togethers challenge the siblings to deal with their issues with each other to save their family.
Seven Sundays is not the first drama to tackle sensitive family issues. As a matter of fact, may other have utilized the very same formula as this film by director Cathy Garcia Molina. But what sets Seven Sundays apart, which also served as its main strength was its perfect casting.
I do not exaggerate. Each actor fit their parts to a T. Ronaldo Valdez was the perfect family patriarch that carries off both the dramatic and comedic parts of his role very well. You feel his pain at being “abandoned” by his children and his frustration at not being a better father.
Aga, despite his extended hiatus, proved why he remains as one of the country’s best actors. He was the epitome of a big brother trying to be strong for his family even when the ground beneath him threatened to sink. His maturity and humility in wanting to patch things up with his siblings and fulfilling his role as the big brother was very impressive and believable. It made viewers want to have someone like him as a big brother.
Dingdong as the achiever Bryan came off at times as arrogant, but when he opened up to his brother about their issues and chose to open his heart to his family, it was also a moving moment. I loved Enrique Gil’s portrayal as the baby of the family. His open vulnerability communicated volumes about his character and it’s a great testament to his skills that he was able to deliver on the role as naturally as everyone else on the talented roster of talents for this film.
Cristine also made a good impression as the princess of the family and the neutralizer when their mother passed away. Of the supporting cast, I also loved Ketchup Eusebio’s character as the siblings’ cousin who stayed in the family home with his
“ninong.” The way he subtly burned his cousins for their shortcomings and used humor to make them realize what their father wanted them to know was very touching too.
Perhaps, one of the best parts of the movie for me was the message of humility and sincerity. The Bonifacios had deep-seated issues but they also knew when to acknowledge their shortcomings. While it was a given that they would have a major confrontation in some part of the film, I was genuinely moved by Alan’s humility in reaching out to his siblings and acknowledging his lapses as the eldest brother.
The openness in which the rest of the Bonifacios accepted each other’s apologies was amazing. I liked the idea that the film was trying to impart. Age alone does not equate infallibility or a monopoly of wisdom and in accepting this, peace could be achieved.
I also liked that the film did not try too hard to make each moment a tear-jerking one, thus achieving a better impact for the dramatic moments of the film. At the center of this movie is family and love and this film successfully inspired families to make their own peace and acknowledge their own imperfections as well. Great job to the entire team. Each member was a star in their own right.