09.23.01
The film Toro (with English subtitle) far exceeds my expectation of Filipino cinema especially of this genre. It truly deserves international release. The risqué title of Manila's age-old live sex shows is catchy and tempting to even prudes like me :) to take a peek at it. Beyond its cut-to-the-chase display of a well choreographed toro scene early on, the story told in real dialog cunningly seduces its viewer to sit still to suck its juice. Unlike the typical bomba (Filipino soft porn) films that are thin in substance and fat in awkward, incoherent sex scenes, Toro unfolds as a masterpiece tale of desperate, fragile humanity and a crafty vision of dehumanizing sensuality.
One could dismiss the theme of this film as banal. However, Toro's main character begs the viewer to closely examine the plight he shares with his three torero friends and to witness their dreams to gain their dignity elude them. All the actors who are unfamiliar to me individually deliver convincing performances. The script, direction and editing are exceptional.
Two thumbs up.
