Must See Movie...

Highly Overrated But Still Good

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

I think with a bit of polish and some better music choices, this flick would rank up there with "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now" - everyone involved should be proud of this work. It is really that good. It's hard to discuss without diving into the plot or discussing local and global politics. Just watch it!

Director and writer Erik Matti has created a gem in On the Job.Starring Piolo Pascual.Also starring Gerald Anderson.Also starring Joel Torre.I enjoyed the violence and realistic settings.If you enjoyed this ass much as I did then check out other classic hit-man flicks, John Wick: Chapter 2 2017, Collateral 2004, The November Man 2014, 24 Hours to Live 2017, The Silencer 1999 and No Country for Old Men 2007.If you also enjoyed seeing a classic flick from the Philippines then check out Metro Manila 2013.

The story and pacing smoothly complimented each other. I like how the intensity just builds up right from the get go during the first scene up until the last one. Wonderfully moody cinematography combines with an excellent soundtrack and some breathlessly tight editing to create a surprisingly dark and nihilistic film.It's also great to see characters that were fleshed out especially that of the three main characters. We get to know them more instead of simply just following what they do. This is one of the things I like about the film in terms of characterization, we get a glimpse of their individual lives as opposed to just going right at the center of the conflict.This film pretty much shows what an ensemble really is. There are really no small roles here, as everyone's given something to do and they all did their parts well. From the opening assassination to the hospital shootout to the sequence that closes the film, the action beats in "On the Job" are technically polished while simultaneously visceral—even intimate—in their brutality. Matti and his cohorts have scored a home-run here.

On The Job has some intriguing stuff, it's a story about four lives connected in one conspiracy behind the law. What's going on is as many as its moral ambiguities. It is a heavy story, but it consistently delivers thanks to the people who are involved. The craft is excellent for giving an absorbing quality with pure tension. The stellar cast brings plenty of life within the characters. Beyond the surfaces, the film is already fascinating itself, but it's a very ambitious picture. OTJ is a rare modern Filipino film that has an actual engaging story to tell in a brilliantly slick and exhilarating way.The subjects of the film are the realities of crime and moral ambiguity. Even though the lead character's motivation is good, it won't make his job look any less terrible. It never glosses anything about what they do and that's the interesting part. There are no actual heroes and a dirty work will always be a dirty work, which provides absolute danger within the surface. The film is best at tension, every set piece is like a ticking bomb, it gets louder and louder until it fires to an unpredictable shock, then more action. It's amazing stuff. When there's no blood and gunshots, the film explores the characters. They are in fact not bad people after all. They have their own problems and only do those things to provide for their loved ones, though there's a fear that they might bring their work into their personal lives, but that just makes it human.Tatang is mostly ruthless, but Joel Torre gives all the humanity which balances the character's depth and criminal side. Gerald Anderson shines remarkably. His greatest feat is the arrogance he brings, makes his character feel more threatening. Piolo Pascual surprisingly has something beyond his typical charms. My favorite among is Joey Marquez, who gives the cop a natural rage and fear that can be relatable and somehow enjoyable to watch.The film never depicts Metro Manila as pleasant, it's like hell on earth where violence may happen anytime in the city. Well it is in fact one of the rotten places of the country. Other than that, the film has most the best things in a classic crime thriller: noir feel, anxiety filled action, twisted dark humor, and a cinematography that glamors around the filth. Director Erik Matti keeps everything interesting and magnetic.OTJ is a great surprise among the local blockbusters today. We don't usually get a well made Filipino movie like this nowadays unless it's an independent film. Otherwise, it's a compellingly grim crime drama that may possibly stuck in your mind in a while. Personally, I think this is the best film I've seen this year so far. Since it's not really the greatest ever, I think this is what we need. It has a lot of what's missing in most modern blockbusters. It also has the craftsmanship and down-to-earth performances that would impact more to the audience. With all the merits, OTJ is easily recommendable.