Vice Ganda stars as Bambi Salvador, an ex-OFW and family breadwinner. One of the film's most powerful scenes involves Bambi confronting her siblings, standing in a corner and pouring her heart out. The raw emotion in her lines and Vice's impeccable performance left me sobbing. The intensity of that scene was overwhelming, and at times, I wished the director would cut it short because the pain was almost unbearable. Vice’s delivery was so compelling that I found myself thinking she deserves a nomination for Best Actor or Actress.
I also connected deeply with the character of Biboy (played by Jhong Hilario), Bambi's brother. His struggles as someone trying everything to succeed but failing resonated with me personally, as I know someone with a similar story. Another poignant moment was when Bambi confronted Baby (Eugene Domingo), accusing her of leaving her alone to shoulder the burden of being the breadwinner. The line, "Sino ba ang nagsabi na dapat nag-iisa lang ang breadwinner?" struck a chord, emphasizing the unfair expectations placed on family breadwinners.
The supporting cast shone brightly, especially Joel Torre (Popshie), Jhong Hilario (Biboy), and Gladys Reyes (Mayet). Their performances were compelling and brought depth to every scene with Bambi. Eugene Domingo had her moments, balancing humor and drama, although some comedic bits felt a bit forced.
One of the film's standout lines came from Kokoy de Santos (Boy), who tells Bambi, "Ayoko maging kagaya mo na bakla na aakuin lahat." It challenged stereotypes about LGBTQ+ individuals automatically becoming family providers, adding layers to the narrative. However, some parts, like the depiction of Biboy's creditor, felt overly corny and unnecessary.
There were surprise appearances from Vice Ganda's iconic past roles, like Private Benjamin, Gandara, and Girly, which provided a good laugh amidst the drama. Additionally, Anthony Jennings showed potential for serious acting, though the scenes with Maris Racal brought to mind their real-life controversy, making it hard for me to separate fiction from reality.
While Vice delivered a stellar performance, I felt some dramatic parts lacked punch. The scene where Bambi stands in the corner could have ended perfectly, but extending it to her confrontation with Baby felt redundant and dragged on. Moreover, the cancer diagnosis subplot for Bambi felt exaggerated and unnecessary. The story could have achieved the same emotional impact without it.
The film's limited locations—mostly set in their family home—suggested a tight budget, but the strong cast made up for it. The audience’s reactions were telling; the theater was silent during emotional scenes, and many viewers, including myself, were in tears. Some even applauded at the end, and I couldn't help but join them.
And the Breadwinner Is left me with a deep appreciation for family breadwinners. It’s a film that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on the sacrifices many people make for their families. I highly recommend watching this movie—but bring tissues, as the emotions will hit hard.
While I can’t predict if Vice Ganda will win an award for this role, she undoubtedly deserves a nomination. Her performance was heartfelt, and the film’s message will linger with you long after the credits roll.
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