On the Job (2013)

Too much of everything

Don't listen to the negative reviews

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

ON THE JOB is a dark, dingy, and rather sweaty Filipino thriller that has some stylistic similarities to the far superior METRO MANILA. Unfortunately this is ultimately a much lesser work in which promise at the outset soon devolves thank to some rather pedestrian writing. ON THE JOB is too long, too slow, and marred by unsympathetic characters who you don't give two hoots about despite their various problems.The story involves a real-life scandal around career criminals being given day release from prison to go around working as political assassins. It sounds great, but after the umpteenth long-winded scene of characters arguing and discussing their plight, it becomes merely average rather than profound. It doesn't help that the only truly likable character is the young crusading cop whose character is let down by possibly the most unsatisfying climax in a film ever.Director Erik Matti performs an able job behind the camera, creating a gritty and realistic look that brings out the poverty and grime of the surroundings. Individual scenes are powerful, and there are one or two good action moments, but the choreography is sometimes sloppy and the tedium occasionally overwhelming. These factors conspire to make ON THE JOB a distinctly average movie when it should by all rights be a good one.

I have heard such positive reviews about this movie and I have been wanting to watch it but never had the time.Anyway, when I finally did, it was way better than expected.On The Job clearly plot was really heavy and with a hint of violence so please make sure no kids watching. The actors played out their roles perfectly. The movie was sad for me yet very much true especially in its realistic aspects. It has an easy-to-follow story which showcased corruption and greed thrown in the lives of prisoners, policemen, and the military.It started with a "job" done by the older Tang and backed-up by a younger, Daniel. After accomplishing the job, they were then sent back to prison (where they were originally from) until another job comes along. Tang taught Daniel how to kill: with a gun or a knife. He reminded Daniel to blend in with the crowd; pay attention to details. Eventually, Tang received news he was given parole hence Daniel would take his role.

Set in the modern day Philippines. The film describes interactions among prisoners, crime families, police, police leaders, and politicians.Tatang and Daniel get releases (under the radar) recurrently from prison in order to carry out assassinations. Tatang's parole has been approved, and he hopes to pass the torch to Daniel after Tatang leaves prison. Daniel clearly is not ready, but it is hoped he will learn quickly on the job.At the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), Francis takes on new responsibilities. He is both blessed and cursed by the shadow of his father's accomplishments, such as they were. One of his main jobs is to keep secret the traces of the assassinations. Francis is mob-connected, as it turns out, since his significant other is the daughter of a crime boss.As one might expect, this network of relationships, held together by blackmail and corruption, is doomed to break. One of Francis' potential witnesses in his corruption investigation gets targeted for assassination.Looks like the house of cards could all fall down. Which group gets the most damage?Tatang, Daniel, and Francis all have personal lives that they conduct through all of this. Will they keep their relationships together?-----Scores----- Cinematography: 9/10 Well shot; looks good consistently.Sound: 10/10 The actors are adequately miked, and the music was wonderful.Acting: 8/10 Joel Torre was wonderful as Tatang. Joey Marquez, Gerald Anderson, Piolo Pascual, and Vivian Velez were all good in their roles.Screenplay: 7/10 The film did good story telling here, with a lot of texture, and just enough threads to follow. Almost two hours was not too long at all.

I am surprised to see this movie is just 6+ here on IMDb as it's definitely an 8+ movie. It's full of action. They movie has good acting, good story and good speed. It's never boring and is made well. There is lots of action and it's done very well. The actors are well cast and their acting is good too. There is a story and we get to see the life in Manila. The shooting is realistic and so are the action scenes.See the trailer before you decide to skip this movie as that will change your mind. Don't go by the rating here as this is definitely skewed (I am not sure why?)This movie is way better than that and lot's of Hollywood action movies. If you like action movies this is for you and it will keep you on edge right through.