Stories about second chances and death tug the heartstrings.
Hintayan Ng Langit is no exception.
Based on the one-act play of the same name by Juan Miguel Severo, Hintayan Ng Langit is a drama-comedy movie that premiered worldwide on Netflix on June 12, 2019. The film stars Gina Pareño and Eddie Garcia.
It was first shown in QCinema Festival on October 22, 2018, and released commercially on November 21, 2018. Severo also wrote the film’s screenplay.
Directed by Dan Villegas and produced by Globe Studios and Project 8 Corner San Joaquin Projects, the movie is titled “Heaven’s Waiting” in English. The film tells the story of two ex-lovers meeting in the purgatory, or Kalagitnaan (The Middle) after their respective deaths.
The story
The film starts with Lisang (Pareño) overstaying in The Middle for two years, despite her deceased husband’s petitions to get her to Heaven. She is informed by the Tagabantay (Guardian) that she’ll be sharing a room with another person since the place didn’t anticipate a huge arrival of souls. When that person arrives, she realizes that it’s her ex-boyfriend Manolo (Garcia) in her youth. Soon the two bicker like kids and as the movie progresses, we get to know the real story behind their deaths and how they ended up apart.
The review
Hintayan Ng Langit makes use of a simple narrative to convey universal themes of love, second chances, regrets and choices. All these themes are emphasized throughout the movie, in the dialogue of the main characters and the excess baggage they carried until their last living moments. Needless to say, Pareño and Garcia owned the movie with their spectacular performances.
The whole concept of the purgatory as a waiting area before the souls can ascend to heaven makes a clever setting for examining the human nature. In the film, Lisang and Manolo had to make the toughest of choices and regretting some of them along the way. Their choices resonate a huge effect on us. It gives us the message that each of our action has consequences, big or small.
Hands down to the production team, they made good use of the technology of the past. Every single detail is sharp. Telephones, VHS tapes and televisions were put into good use. It sets the whole mood of the film. The film is limitless given its single setting setup. It slowly brings us to an ending that feels both satisfying and wanting for more. Beautiful and moving, the cutesy yet palpable chemistry between the lead actors makes the whole film even more enjoyable to watch.
The lessons
Just like Lisang and Manolo, every excess baggage we bring in our hearts can lead up to more serious problems in the future. Our what ifs become just what ifs if we don’t make the right choice. With the movie’s excellent writing, Hintayan Ng Langit teaches us that it’s never too late to turn things around.
