1998 · biopic · historical · epic

Jose Rizal

Directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya · 2h 58m · 1998

Accused of treason, Dr. Jose P. Rizal awaits trial and meets with his colonial government-appointed counsel, Luis Taviel de Andrade. The two build the case and arguments for the defense as significant events in the central figure's life prior to his incarceration unfold. Upon hearing Rizal's life story, Taviel begins to realize that the accused not just is innocent but exhibits in fact all the qualities of an extraordinary man. When the mock trial unreels, Taviel is all set to act as the prime advocate for his client as Rizal himself is about to give an earth-moving speech to defend his honor and address his countrymen. Meanwhile, the Spanish authorities have worked out the vast political machinery to ensure a guilty verdict. A revolution waits in the wings.

Our read: Jose Rizal (1998) reads as a sombre, kinetic, grounded biopic · historical · epic entry — measured in intensity, epic-stakes in scope, measured in temperature, ambivalent in outlook.