Top-notch acting in unique and controversial family drama

Given the plummeting box office of one Metro Manila Film Festival year when heavily themed independent films made it to the roster of finalists, producers and the selection committee need no other proof that Filipinos crave for “feel good” movies at Christmas time. For in surviving yet another 12 months of ups and downs, people long to watch movies that will give them hope for a better tomorrow.

But while a feel good story is what Heaven’s Best Entertainment Productions promises MMFF-goers come Christmas Day, they saw no reason why they could not tackle a unique and controversial family theme in the entry “Rainbow’s Sunset.” Starring Philippine movie veterans and icons Eddie Garcia, Tony Mabesa and Gloria Romero—all of who are no strangers to tackling complex roles—this Joel Lamangan movie sees an 84-year-old retired senator named Ramon Estrella (Garcia), temporarily leaving his very understanding wife (Romero) of six decades to take care of his cancer-stricken gay best friend Fredo (Mabesa).