OTJ: A Critique

"This is just work ... nothing personal."

OTJ talks about the story of corruption, violence, injustices, and the hidden power ruling
government of the Philippines. The film was set in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines which
was called by Dan Brown as, the gates of hell in his novel Inferno. Erik Matti narrated a story of
four people that were connected because of the corruption in the Philippines. The assassinations
were run by a military general who was clever in covering his tracks, and his clients were high-
ranking politicians which makes him a very powerful entity in the society. This story, inspired by
true events, as said in the opening of the film will take you to the lives of two professional killers,
a NBI official whose conflict was with his principles and dreams, and a police officer who was
frustrated with his case, his family, and the justice system in the Philippines.
The technical aspects of the film were spectacular. Although the casting was a little
unrealistic, because you cant expect Gerald Anderson, to ba a very handsome assassin to be
unspotted in a crowded festival and also Piolo Pascual, a handsome fellow, who is not suitable to
be a crime-busting agent based on his physical features. They appear more like rich people stuck
in a world where they were not belong. But the rich detail of cinematography and production
design covered them up. J. Pilapil Jacobo of the Young Critics Circle has criticized the films
writing and performances but gave credit to the films stylistic look that elevated its status, Jay
Halili as editor, Erwin Romulo as musical scorer, Richard Somes as production designer, and
Ricardo Buhay III as cinematographer.
The director intended to show the world who is controlling the political system of the
country. He wanted to show the people that their country were not run by them, the majority, but
by groups of people having money, power, connections, and the ability to inject fear to everyone.
He also wanted to show people that people often do wrong things because of their status of life.
The film proves the saying that God made men, men made slaves. Also the director warns people
to choose people who will run the government wisely because they will be given power that can
either benefit the nation or bring it to darkness.
The movie talks about fathers and husbands losing time with their family. SP01 Acosta
(Joey Marquez) was working every day, busting drug dens, and sacrificing his life for Tius case
(The man who was killed in the beginning of the movie) while forgetting his family. Acostas son
was skipping classes and he even saw his sons clothes to one of the drug dens he raided. And
Tatang (Joel Torre) has a family but due to his job wherein he was always inside the prison, he
was not aware that his wife was already having an affair with another man and his daughter was
on her last year on college and have a boyfriend already. And Daniel (Gerald Anderson) was
always away with his family and does not know that her mother was dating someone who only
take her money which he worked hard for.
The movie also talk about the status of women in the society. It shows the role of men in a
crime-ridden world. In the movie, men are criminals so as the heroes. The women in OTJ were
provider of sexual pleasures and the reason for mens downfall (take for instance the example of
Shaina Magdayaos character). Although the middle person was a mysterious woman, she was still
under the head of the crime syndicate, General Pacheco. Also, how Daniel acted with a homosexual
shows the discrimination that still revolves around the society.
 Lastly, it talks how money rules people. The movie proved that money can take away the
emotions and principles of someone and can change a society. People can be controlled through
money and it can make them crave for more. After watching the film, I began to rationalize the
reason why still majority of the Filipinos remain uneducated because maybe a group of powerful
people were controlling the society by the use of money. And making them educated will give
them freedom which in turn will make them to question them and reveal their wickedness.
This movie gave a new genre to mainstream films, it is unusual to see a great Filipino
movie like this unless its an independent film. It is highly recommended for everyone to watch
this film. Especially since Filipinos were beginning to be open minded and aware to what is
happening in the countrys politics. Although, it was not budgeted like Hollywood films, the movie
surprised the critics because of its cinematography, production design, and editing. It is exciting
to see what will be the film industry in the Philippines in the future.

Bibliography
Jacobo, J. P. (n.d.). Frisson Break. Retrieved 2014, from Young Critics Circle Film Desk:
https://yccfilmdesk.wordpress.com/2013/09/08/frisson-break-on-the-job-review/
Potes, G. (n.d.). Blog. Retrieved November 29, 2014, from Pop Ate My Heart: http://itz-
giological.blogspot.com/2014/04/drown-me-in-testosterone-review-of-on.html