Himas (Vivamax 2024) Movie Review: An Unfulfilled Promise
Himas, directed by Christian Paolo Lat, is a 2024 Filipino film that attempts to explore themes of personal and professional dissatisfaction through its portrayal of a massage therapist, a fisherman, and a librarian. Despite its intriguing premise, the film fails to deliver a compelling narrative and ends up feeling hollow and underdeveloped.
Plot Summary
The film centers on three main characters: a massage therapist who withholds a “happy ending” from a customer, a fisherman who takes shelter with various women, and a librarian who is unfaithful to her spouse. While these professions suggest a potentially rich tapestry of stories, Himas struggles to provide depth and context for its characters. The lack of backstory and development leaves their actions and decisions feeling shallow and ungrounded.
Performance and Characters
- MJ Abellera delivers a consistently lackluster performance. His portrayal of the massage therapist lacks the energy and engagement necessary to make the character believable, especially in intimate scenes.
- Zsara Laxamana brings a degree of vitality to her role as the librarian. Her performance adds some life to the film, but it is not enough to overcome the overall lack of substance.
- Sarah Bernales presents an unstable portrayal, with her performance varying between acceptable and subpar. The inconsistency detracts from the film’s credibility.
- Felix Roco struggles to convincingly portray a blind man. His performance comes across as unrealistic, reducing his character to a source of unintentional comedy.
Technical Aspects
- Direction: Christian Paolo Lat’s direction fails to capitalize on the film’s potential. The narrative lacks coherence and depth, leaving the social commentary feeling superficial.
- Cinematography: One of the film’s strengths is its beautiful shooting location. The cinematography captures the setting effectively, showcasing the beauty of the environment. However, this visual appeal does not compensate for the film’s narrative shortcomings.
- Writing: Written by Maya Diaz and LA Dhera, the script attempts to address social issues through the characters’ professions but ultimately falls short. The lack of development and depth renders the social commentary ineffective.
Critique
Himas presents an interesting concept but fails to deliver a meaningful and engaging story. The film’s focus on the characters’ professions is not adequately explored, leaving their motivations and actions feeling contrived. The social commentary intended by the filmmakers is overshadowed by the film’s lack of depth and coherence.
The film’s visual appeal, particularly its cinematography, is notable but does not make up for its narrative deficiencies. The characters are underdeveloped, and the performances range from mediocre to unconvincing, resulting in a film that feels incomplete and unsatisfying.
Where to Watch
Himas was released on May 31, 2024, and is available for streaming on Vivamax. For those interested in exploring the film, Vivamax provides the primary platform for accessing this title.
Conclusion
Himas is a film with a promising premise that ultimately fails to deliver. Its lack of character development, inconsistent performances, and superficial social commentary result in a viewing experience that feels empty and unfulfilled. While the cinematography is a highlight, it is not enough to redeem the film’s overall execution.
