At some point, you really have to give it up for writer/director Dante Basco. He wanted to make a movie, but he didn’t want to have to deal with anybody he didn’t know. So he co-wrote a script about his family and then he cast a film with … his family. Sure. Why not? Who needs talent when you have siblings?
The result is The Fabulous Filipino Brothers, an uneven look at the life of one extended family in Pittsburg (no, not that Pittsburgh; this is the one in the Bay Area and would have to work its way up to recognizable to have an inferiority complex). The film meanders through four thankfully short stories, one for each brother all roughly centered around a family wedding.
Let’s see if my theater notes were any good.
Story #1: The Cock Fight. Dayo (The “responsible one”) is shy on cash after promising more than he could deliver, wedding-food-wise. Hence, he needs a scheme to make a quick buck. Luckily, he knows a lowlife. Let’s hope grandma doesn’t get in the way.
Story#2: The Affair. Duke (The “lucky one”) goes to the Philippines on business and runs into pleasure. If I’m understanding this correctly, Dante cast himself as the businessman/lover, because of course he did. And he gets lucky all right … until the players come back to Earth.
Story #3: The Food Sex. David (The “funny one”) checks out the pre-wedding spread … and then he looks at food. :rimshot: The pre-meal foreplay involving simulations among the catered items is certainly the most amusing tale of the set but gave me hesitation twice with questions of: “Tell me you’re
not leaving that out to be eaten now, are you?” and “Dude, isn’t that your cousin?”
Story #4: The Blind Date. Darion (The “dark one”) is by far the most intriguing of the brothers. He seems to have a psychological hang-up or two. Is it intense introversion or something else? Do we want him to go on a blind date? Is that a good idea? I guess we will find out.
For a film entirely written, directed, produced, starring, and entirely about one family, The Fabulous Filipino Brothers is really much, much better than it has any right to be. That said, it’s indulgent and amateurish. While it doesn’t ask its audience to be familiar with the family going in (woo!), it assumes we will love them going out (hmmmm). I applaud this film without recommending it. And I’d be curious to know if Dante Basco ever becomes bigger than he is right now.
Four brothers, for attention, all vie
To tell their stories, like rivals. Big sigh.
Turns out they have a sister
The film must have missed her
I guess “fabulous” is only found in the Brasco Y
Not Rated, 99 Minutes
Director: Dante Basco (you know how close this is to “Donnie Brasco?” Google asks you if made a typo)
Writer: Arianna Basco, Dante Basco, Darion Basco
Genre: The very definition of Indie film
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: People with the surname “Basco”
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Jealous neighbors
