Now on the island, Dr. Celine gets welcomed by their villa caretaker Basyon (Erlinda Villalobos), her daughter Vilma (Sue Prado), and grandson Jasper (Ross Pesigan). The family lived in the house for such a long time, and they are concerned that the de Mirandas will sell it due to Paeng’s passing. Contrastingly, Dr. Celine has no love for the house. She knows that Paeng’s cousin, Sergio (Miguel Faustmann), is already engaged in conversations about it, and all she wants is her cut of the deal. She doesn’t really care about the fate of the people there.
Until one day, Dr. Celine uncovers a secret in one of the house’s rooms that will change her mind about the house and the family.
On August 5, 2022, sad news about Cherie Gil’s passing broke many Filipinos' hearts. "La Primera Contravida" is beloved by many for her intensity and versatility in playing villain roles and for her passion in acting. "Elehiya" is her last film, and the cinema is filled with people looking forward to her final performance.
"Elehiya" didn’t disappoint in showcasing the brilliance and talent of the great Cherie Gil. It spends most of the time following her character as she navigates the labyrinthine old house and the complex emotions she feels toward all of the people surrounding her. Deep inside, Dr. Celine is cunning, seething, intoxicating, and mystifying, and Cherie channeled all this effortlessly. In a talk back with director Loy Arcenas, he lauded her ability to quickly get the character she portrays. Being in the industry for such a long time, Cherie has already proven time and time again that she’s a capable actress. But no matter how many times she shows off her abilities, she continues to astound everyone.
As for the story, "Elehiya" has a very complex narrative. It is like an ocean of emotion, with deep feelings of loss and despair. Its vastness would get you lost. It would allow you to come up with your own interpretation of the story and the character’s action and motivation. There is not really a villain or a hero in this movie; each one is broken in many specific ways. So it can be a really confusing movie to watch, and attention is important to a film that fiddly tackles grief and denial.
As the movie progresses, it will reach a point of pure dread. The atmosphere is forbidding, and it will capture eyes and ears as we witness Dr. Celine’s plans unfold. Not to give much detail about the plot, but there are certain scenes that will make you feel uncomfortable. There are decisions that would challenge your morals and ethics, and it is all heightened by the cast's impeccable performances. It will be really difficult to process everything that will transpire on screen, and as the credits roll, questions will stock up in your mind really fast. Director Loy Arcenas said that he wants the audience to come up with their own ending. And honestly, it’s overbearing to do that for a story that stirred the cup way too much.
"Elehiya" is not at a bad movie. It has its moments. It's just that it frequently sends the wrong message about representation. There’s definitely more beyond these islanders living a life under the clutches of foreign businessmen that merits a closer look. They’re not mere babymakers nor slaves; like Dr. Celine, they’re equally interesting and complex. It’s a missed opportunity not to give focus to or instantiate their thoughts and situation on screen. This film is edgy and kind of archaic at the same time. It’s disappointing that it will leave you feeling like we took a step back from where we are right now in how we empower people.
"Elehiya" is Cherie Gil’s swan song, and it was able to do justice to her ability to act. But it’s not very satisfying. Cherie seems to have a right to a final story that showcases the spectacles of her love, passion, and artistic aspirations. "Sonata" comes to mind as the story that she really deserves to have as something of a goodbye to the craft, a film that shows the beauty and power of acting and theater—all of the things she cared for and zealously supported.
Nevertheless, "Elehiya" is here. It is not as gracious as Cherie, but it is intense. And if you’re up for something gothic in vibe or something challenging and unusual, this is definitely for you.
2/5
