KUYA WES
Philippines, 2018, 90 minutes, Colour.
Ogie Alcasid.
Directed by James Robin Mayo.
This is a Filipino comedy which could travel happily outside the country.
The central character is a simple soul, a nice man, a Mr Nice Guy, who works in a finance agency, rather constricted, with quite a range of local characters coming in for money exchanges. He is assisted by wisecracking woman and the office is guarded by a simple-soul security man.
There is not much explanation of why the central character is so simple. However, he boards with his brother and his family, their willingly taking his money but generally ignoring him at home. The main action of the film concerns his infatuation with one of the customers, his awkwardness in relating to her and her initially negative reaction, his getting help from the assistant in the office, the meetings and discussions with the woman and his wanting to take her out, buy uniforms for her schoolchildren…
There comes a time when she agrees to go out with him but is late for arriving at the restaurant, their going to an ordinary street cafe, their both enjoying the meeting – only for a powerful twist for the audience when this sequence is only in the man’s imagination.
The film is bittersweet but, with the revelation, and the fact that the woman is married and her husband is returning home from work, means that there is some bitterness at the end.
Given the look of the actor, comedian, playing the role, it is the kind of role that Robin Williams might have played had there been an American remake.
1. A gentle Filipino comedy? Sweet? Ultimately bittersweet?
2. The city settings, the money office and the interiors, the place of the customers? The streets, traffic, restaurants? Homes and interiors? The musical score?
3. Wes, his age, background, staying with his family, not really being made part of the family, their ignoring him, playing, watching television, yet demanding money from him and expressing disappointment when he doesn’t pay, accusing him of having money and wasting it on other things? The tension in the house, the effect on Wes, the final fight with his brother?
4. Romantic, lacking the experience of romance? At work, punctual, putting the notices on the wall, generally cheery? His working with Joy, her friendship, her mocking him, yet her growing in support of him? The variety of customers, their stories, performances, comedy?
5. Wes as a simple man, hopes in life? Seeing Erica and her children? The immediate infatuation, his reflecting on his experience, the experience of love? His wanting to do things for Erica? Joy as a sounding board, the security guard and his playing the flute? Their encouragement?
6. His spoiling the opportunity by being blunt with Erica, her bad reaction? His disappointment, puzzled about his behaviour, brooding on it? Joy and her explanations and support?
7. Erica’s return, the apology? The sweets for the children? The cake for Erica and their sitting and eating it? Talking? The lack of money, the need for the children’s uniforms, her refusal but Wes going and buying them, washing them, the gift? His buying the perfume and putting it all over himself?
8. Wes inviting Erica out, the plan for the restaurant, his nervousness, being asked about the table? The plan, the rendezvous, his going to the restaurant, waiting, the restaurant closing up? Erica’s late arrival, the traffic, the going to a cafe, getting the food, her enjoying it, the music, the dancing? And then Wes waking up – a fantasy? From sweet to bittersweet?
9. Wes going to the house, seeing the husband returned from work, Erica in the street smoking? His grief and disappointment? Joy and her comfort?
10. Erica coming to the shop, her apology? The effect on Wes – the experience, the disappointments, discovering love, possibilities for his future or hopes dashed?
