Weighed But Found Wanting (1974)

The most commercially successful movie by director Lino Brocka

Lino Brocka's films are usually dark and tragic. Most of them are very artistic and hence not popular (I watched 1 that was based on world war 2 time, the rape scenes were very disturbing....). Weighed but Found Wanting is 1 of the few films that Brocka managed to strike a perfect balance between art and commercial. Saw this film many years ago (20+ yrs ago, I think) and it is still my fav Philippines film.

The plot is melodrama:- A beautiful woman was pursued by a wealthy playboy in the village, she gave in to him and got pregnant. The man did not want the baby and forced her to have an abortion. The trauma of the abortion and pain of losing the child made her went mad (some really good scenes here, of her as a mad woman going around town, hugging statues and talking to herself). The film introduce a young, handsome and rich teenager here, show him going to school and talking with his friends, etc. There is a scene of him and an older woman, exploring sexuality. He is kind hearted and wants to treat everyone equally. So befriended the madwoman and a leper. The leper was happy with the mad woman and fell in love with her, and got her pregnant. Which is against the village perception, as they are outcasts and should not have a family.....

I can't remember all the details of the film, it is very heavy on plot. The main theme of the film is on the outcasts of the society. It questioned if outcasts should be unseen and unheard, do they not deserve to live? Sub themes on teenage sexual exploration, and abortion.

Brocka's films are not for the faint hearted. And they are so old, most do not have English subtitles.... I watched this movie with no subtitles in the 2nd half. But it is still a great film! Even if you cannot understand the dialogues, can still watch it for the scenes of the madwoman going around town, the interactions between her and the leper, that was remarkable acting.

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