Wretched Lives (2001) Poster

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7/10
Powerful drama with disturbing scenes.
Pedro-3723 July 2002
The DVD cover of "Hubog" makes it look like an erotic film. It has erotic scenes but this is no "tease movie". It's a hard hitting drama! Even most of the scenes involving naked flesh are not there to erotisize but to shock. "Hubog" deals with a young woman who tries to make a living for herself and her mentally disturbed sister. A series of incidents forces her into a relationship with a brutal man.

This part of the film is powerful. And it works. The same cannot be said of the political aspects of the movie. The whole film is intercut with scenes from demonstrations after the fall of President Estrada. While this is sometimes interesting, I think it doesn't pay off. The final scenes involving the demonstrations come across as stagy and don't work. I don't know what it is exactly, but something just doesn't gel. Also, the coda text is weak.

But those are rather small issues. Overall, it's a gripping drama with strong performances. I'd rate it

7/10
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9/10
Hubog: A Shocking, Disturbing, Bold, Heavy Crime-Drama Film
Self_Control22 October 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Exactly as the previous rater posted, the VHS/DVD cover of "Hubog" does seem like an erotic film, how deceiving. This is nevertheless the exact opposite for those of you into erotic films, this isn't your choice but those who seek crime drama films, this is your choice. Excellent acting and even so dramatic. I can see why this film won the big awards for Assunta De Rossi as Best Actress (Gawad Urian Awards) and nominations for her sister in real life Alessandra De Rossi. You'd expect bold scenes to be erotic all the time but seemingly it is very shocking to the eye. Hard hitting drama film, didn't expect the film to be what it is.

"Hubog" is about a young woman Vanessa (Assunta De Rossi) the older sister of a mental sister (Alessandra De Rossi) who tries to make a living for themselves right after their mother had passed away. Many unfortunate incidents (ei; losing their home in disaster, bitter relationship with Wendell Ramos character: Oliver) happened which caused her to create a relationship with a brutal abusive man Uno (Jay Manalo). Whenever Vanessa (Assunta De Rossi) leaves the house, perverts take advantage of her mental sister Nikka (Alessandra De Rossi). These perverts offer Nikka (Alessandra De Rossi) hamburgers and toys in exchange for sex. While Vanessa (Assunta De Rossi) never find out about these "exchanges" until later in the film. She then gets caught up in the abusive live-in relationship with Uno (Jay Manalo) who domestically attacks and rape her. When Vanessa and Nikka try to make an escape along with Oliver (Wendell Ramos), Uno (Jay Manalo) chase them and kills Oliver. Then Vanessa and Nikka are back in the brutal home of (Jay Manalo). He again knowingly of Nikka's mental illness gives her a hamburger in exchange for sex. Vanessa walks into this "disturbing scene" -One of the many horrific scenes- and confronts (Jay Manalo) of his doing. This ends in the final showdown between Vanessa (Assunta De Rossi), Nikka (Alessandra De Rossi) and Uno(Jay Manalo).

"Hubog" could be one of the most disturbing films made in the crime-drama genre but it certainly hit hard in the drama genre with a big sting. Who could thought this would be filled with powerful acting and performances from the actresses and actors of "Hubog".

I would recommend this film to see it at least, so you'd get an understanding and a graphic visual of the dark crimes that happens in this world. Assunta and Alessandra De Rossi (Sisters in real life) shine in this film with their hard hitting heavy drama performances.

I would rate this film a 9/10 due to some parts in the film that I can't comprehend. Overall, the acting and realism of the film from Assunta and Alessandra De Rossi saved the film from a big dip from its shocking disturbance, terror, and bold scenes. This is a must-see film.
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