Lolo and the Kid is Netflix Philippines’ newest original film directed by Benedict Mique. It was released this August, and it captures the life of a swindler, Lolo Mario (Joel Torre), and his adopted grandson, Kid (Euwenn Aleta), as they try to survive in a world where only those who know how to hustle can thrive.
In this High Five review, we’ll walk you through the reasons why this hard-hitting drama is making waves with viewers everywhere. Minor spoilers ahead.
Introspective Story
While many of the twists and turns of the story are predictable, it still left a lasting impression. Seeing how Lolo’s life transformed from literally being down in the dumps, to finding hope again because of Kid makes one wonder what kind of love he must have for this child who became his reason to continue living and finding ways to beat this cruel world. Though conning wealthy and childless couples may not be the most morally upright way to bring up a child, ironically, Lolo Mario did his best to teach Kid the ways of a decent man—one who respects others in deed and in word.
On the other hand, the film also tackled the struggles of couples who can’t conceive, and those who have lost their own children. These themes make up the stories of the “donors” (as Lolo and Kid like to call them) that they encounter and end up stealing from. As an audience, one would question how cruel life must have been to Lolo Mario for him to be able to devise such a heartless strategy to survive? These questions remain at the audience’s minds as they watch the film, making for an engaging viewing experience.
Poignant Shots
Aside from thoughts to ponder upon, this film also offered poignant and poetic shots that effectively portray the emotions of the main characters behind every scene. This is especially seen during the duo’s trip to the beach as they sat in front of the sunset, with Kid asking Lolo to read him the book he picked out of the trash because he doesn’t know how to. As they bond in the sandy beachfront, they are lit by the warmth of the sun and the love they both share, and Lolo reminisces about the time he first met Kid and how he turned his life around since then.
Intentional Music Scores
It’s been said that a good film isn’t reliant only on great visuals, but also on excellent use of audio. This is well proven by Lolo and the Kid as many of the scenes are accompanied by timely, witty, and touching musical scores that are composed placed with intention. One scene had Lolo and Sandra (Iza Calzado) exchanging glances without uttering any word, but through the background music, the audience is able to feel and tell what exactly those glances meant. These scenes add more nuance and emotion to the film by depicting subtle looks and unspoken exchanges that have a lot of meaning behind them.
Impeccable Casting
We all know Joel Torre’s caliber as an actor, but paired with another performer who can keep up with his brilliance makes for a perfect on-screen chemistry. Both Euwenn Aleta as young Kid and JK Labajo as adult Kid naturally spoke their lines, bringing the character of Kid alive in the viewers’ eyes. Every tear shed, every word thrown, all seemed to be coming from real people whom you’d think you could probably walk past on the street.
The scene where Kid was asking Lolo not to leave him with the couple who wanted to adopt him was heartbreaking, as Lolo tried to explain why he needs to be left in their care and why their days as a pair were over. Only the brightest actors could evoke such raw feelings in a very critical and emotional scene.
Powerful Ending
What is a Filipino family drama film without an ending that’ll trigger all the waterworks? In the final moments of the film, we see Kid wheeling in a frail and old Lolo inside their favorite karaoke bar singing their favorite song, just like the old times. Suddenly, Lolo stops singing and Kid starts begging him to not leave him again. The pain in Kid’s cries as he tries to revive his grandfather whom he just met up with again after years of being apart really dug deep into the heart and provoked a sense of urgency to also take the time to say one’s affections to their loved ones while they still can.
Though it might be your typical emotional film, it’s undeniable that Lolo and Kid’s story is one that profoundly depicts resilience despite life’s tragedies as well as the inevitable pain of losing a very dear loved one.
Having said that, SEA Wave rates it with 3.5/5 stars. Even those who might not be that close with their grandfather or are not much of a fan of dramas will surely still take away something from this simple, yet deeply expressive story.
How about you, what do you think of Lolo and Kid’s story? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!