Scaregivers

Philippines 2008
produced by
Vic Sotto, Antonio P. Tuviera, Mike Tuviera (executive) for APT Entertainment, M-Zet Productions
directed by Uro T.dela Cruz
starring Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Iza Calzado, Paolo Contis, Ehra Madrigal, Vic Sotto, Boy Abunda, Marian Rivera, Julia Clarete, Ryan Yllana, John Apacible, Menggie Cobarrubias, Edgar Allan Guzman, Arkin Da Silva, Carlito Campos, Perry Escano, Lao Rodriguez, Jourdan Sebastian, Jack Rodrigo, J.B.de Leon, Lilia Cuntapay, Myrnell Trinidad, Eddie Geronimo, Nonong de Andres, Michael Yonting, Tado, Ricky Tangco, Cacai Bautista, Allan de Castro, Gerry Alejan
written by Jourdan Sebastian, music by Vincent de Jesus, special effects by Ryan Grimarez

review by
Mike Haberfelner

After their plot to rob a jewellery store in drag goes horribly wrong, Billy (Jose Manolo) and Bob (Wally Bayola) decide to plead insanity in court, for one because they think spending their time in a loonie bin is better than to spend it in jail, and two because they still have two valuable rings from the heist on them (or rather in them) and figure an asylum is easier to break out of than a prison. Thing is, the asylum they are sent to is haunted, and its head doctor Jessica (Ehra Madrigal) seems to be a merciless bitch. Then though they meet nurse Marcia (Iza Calzado), who tells them about a way out her boyfriend Ramil (Paolo Contis), an inmate here, has taken many years ago - having oneself buried on a graveyard outside the premises in a real corpse's stead. What she doesn't tell them though is that a) Ramil died trying to break out, and now has come back as a spirit, b) she herself is a spirit who wants to use Billy and Bob to get her back together with Ramil, and c) doctor Jessica was also in love with Ramil. After much confusion, shocks, almost-burials and spirit attacks, Billy and Bob manage to sort everything out though, finally send Marcia and Ramil to the land of the dead, and make friends with doctor Jessica, who promises to release them from the asylum as sane if they return the two rings. And once outside, Billy and Bob, now changed men, go to nursing school, only to be sent back to the asylum as soon as possible, but this time as male nurses.

This film begins pretty much as horribly as possible, with two men unconvincingly dressed in drag trying to be funny - without the least bit of success. And even when the two leads are out of drag again, the film (or rather its humour) doesn't get much more subtle either - and yet, with time the whole thing somehow grows on you, first and foremost thanks to its leads Jose Manolo and Wally Bayola, who might not be the most sophisticated comedians, but they are capable enough actors to give their semi-idiotic and mildly sleazy characrers a human touch, which helps the viewer to identify with them and care for them no matter how bad the jokes are. Add to this a directorial effort that at least gets the horror aspects of its story right and doesn't shy away to create a dark atmosphere to offset the comic (?) goings-on, and you've got - well, not exactly a good film, but one that you might have liked against better judgement anyways.

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

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