Leonor Will Never Die (2022) Movie Drinking Game
Down a Shot: each time there’s a fourth wall break
Down a Shot: each time Ronwaldo’s spirit appears
Down a Shot: each time a fight breaks out
By: Vidal D’Costa (Two Beers) –
Leonor, a passionate but elderly screenwriter/ filmmaker, is rendered comatose following an untimely incident involving a television set, and she finds herself plunged into the exciting and action-packed depths of her own imagination, co-starring in a movie that has long been stuck in development hell deep in the vestiges of her mind. This further leads her estranged son Rudie down a strange path of his own as he attempts to make amends with his mother and thus reassess his own relationship with her one true love- cinema- as well.
A Toast
The hero of this movie is truly its script! While Leonor’s journey starts out ‘normally’ enough, Martika Ramirez Escobar’s writing, complete with the absurd and surreal hijinks that occur much later through its second and third act(s), are enough to keep viewers hooked and on their toes.
Escobar excellently weaves reality with action, pulp fiction, and of course, plenty of imagination. The fourth wall breaks, too, lend much to this movie’s humour and the writer and director also manages to strike a fine balance by interspersing heartfelt, emotional moments with light comedic interludes between each of its unique characters- such as the interactions between an inebriated Rudie and the spirit of the late Ronwaldo or the scenes featuring a tearful and regretful Leonor harking back to a shoot that went awry and cost her more than just her filmmaking career, but also the life of a loved one.
The use of metaphorical imagery, too, stood out for me and cinematographer Carlos Mauricio’s artistic visuals and the framing is yet another highlight of this highly colourful movie. The deliberately grainy quality of visuals, particularly in the scenes depicting the ‘movie within a movie’ sequences, also work in favour of Leonor Will Never Die and lends an air of authenticity to proceedings. The musical afficionado in me certainly also enjoyed vengeful action star Ronwaldo’s impromptu and rather awkward dance break in the middle of the road as he contemplates rescuing his lady love Isabella while Leonor struggles with writer’s block. The cast comprising of primarily Filipino talent also turn in convincing performances in their respective roles.
Beer Two
The climax drags particularly in the last act, but apart from this minor shortcoming, I felt that Leonor Will Never Die was a near perfect movie… Although certainly the strangest independent feature that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing too!
Verdict
Leonor Will Never Die is certainly an acquired taste, but if passion for cinema is what drives you or absurdist fiction is what draws your eye, then it certainly won’t disappoint. Ultimatelym however, the most memorable aspect of this movie is the message that it leaves behind for filmmakers and independent creatives- that it is never too early nor too late to pursue one’s passions, just like sweet granny Leonor, who never once takes her passion for cinema for granted!
