Finally. Home.
But when Bambi Salvador (Vice Ganda) first steps back into her hometown of Pampanga, her face reflects confusion and frustration. For years, she worked tirelessly, doing odd jobs, from being a masseuse to drag, just to earn money to renovate their family house. Yet, the house remains the same, only older.
Apparently, the money for the renovation went elsewhere.
Bambi is understandably furious. Her brother, Biboy (Jhong Hilario), admits he mishandled the money. Although Biboy’s wife, Mayet (Gladys Reyes), insists that it was spent on efforts to earn more, it’s the feeling of betrayal that hurts Bambi the most. Her other two siblings, Buneng (Maris Racal) and Boying (Kokoy de Santos), also lied to her about the supposed renovation.
To make matters worse, Baby (Eugene Domingo), her estranged older sister, mysteriously returns from Italy, further complicating Bambi’s situation.
Despite being back to square one, tired, angry, and disappointed, Bambi, as the breadwinner of the Salvador family, picks herself up. She must do whatever it takes to save her family.
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It feels like watching two movies at the same time—one is a classic Vice Ganda film; funny and crowd pleasing. And the other is a Jun Robles Lana film; human and deep.
However, the two don’t mesh together perfectly. Some jokes feel out of place in a story that feels pretty serious, like Jovie and Bambi slapping each other in the face with their medical results or Bambi accusing him of being a terrorist because she’s ugly. These moments feel outdated and cheap. And the Breadwinner Is… comedy works much better when the characters deliver sharp quips rather than resorting to physical gags.
The story is also riddled with plot holes and details that are never revisited, making it feel rushed and tedious at times as it tries to resolve every character’s arc. Conflicts arise but are often resolved in the next scene. The film could have been more efficient by cutting unnecessary side stories.
Despite its undercooked plot, And the Breadwinner Is… serves a generous and scrumptious helping of acceptance and kindness. These messages shine when it matters most, such as when Bambi comforts Boying about his sexuality or Biboy about his insecurities and mistakes. You can definitely trust the film to show you the importance of showing love, joy, and hope.
At its core, the story centers on familial love and never strays too far from that theme. Even during intense and difficult moments, it always reminds us that these struggles and frustrations stem from a desire to do what’s best for the family. Family is love after all.
This heartfelt message is especially more meaningful to take away during the Christmas season.
Anyway, let me just say that this is perhaps Vice Ganda’s best performance yet.
A standout moment is a one-take scene near the end, where Vice Ganda delivers a striking and heartfelt monologue about the struggles of breadwinners. In this moment, the audience was captivated—eyes glued to the screen, ears attuned, and many shed tears.
Complementing Vice Ganda’s performance are veterans like Malou de Guzman and Eugene Domingo, who add depth and charm to the film.
But credit must be given where it’s due: Vice Ganda is amazing. She has mastered comedy and knows the funny bone of the madlang people. Perhaps now is the time for her to explore more dramatic roles, expanding her craft and proving her versatility.
Collaborating with an auteur like Jun Robles Lana brings out the best in her. If you were to rank all of Vice Ganda’s films, And the Breadwinner Is… would undoubtedly be among the top, if not number one.
It’s different. It’s funny. It’s heartfelt. It’s human. It’s real. There are countless adjectives to describe this film, but the best one might simply be: Kabog!
3.5/5
