User reviews

I sat down to watch the 2016 movie "Siphayo" (aka "Dismay") without having the slightest clue what it was about, except for it being a movie from the Philippines. And of course with having an interest in Asian movies, I did take the time to sit down and watch "Siphayo" from director Joel Lamangan.

Turns out that this movie was a whole lot of nothing happening throughout the course of the entire movie. Most of the movie was just generic and mundane, bordering on the threshold of slipping into being downright boring. Then towards the end director Joel Lamangan decides to spice up things in the movie. And it was done to the point where it became laughable and cheesy. The movie went from being mundane but watchable to being ludicrous in a very short time. Personally, I didn't really like the changes to the storyline because they seemed so far fetched and implausible.

The acting in the movie was adequate, although I wasn't familiar with a single actor or actress on the cast list. But people were doing fair enough jobs with their given roles and characters, despite having a limited script and storyline to work with.

I highly doubt that "Siphayo" is anywhere near the top of the line what the Tagalog cinema have to offer. I managed to endure this movie to the end, but I can't really claim to have been overly entertained by what I saw. And this is hardly the type of movie that I will be returning to watch a second time.

Story of two brothers who is set to inherent agricultural land, as their mom dies of cancer. Their father brought a nurse to take care of their dying mom but turns out, he is having an affair with the nurse. At the backdrop is the story of how the rich takes advantage of the poor and that big commercial establishments take over the agricultural fields. If you came here for the sex scenes, you will not be disappointed. If you want a good story, this is okay. I am happy with the ending although some audience might not like it. I commend the twist, not commonly seen in Philippine cinema.