Cheap The Debut (DVD) (Dante Basco) (Gene Cajayon) Price

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Customer Reviews of The Debut

more than meets the eye
Whether you like this movie or not, you have to admit that The Debut is a landmark film for the Filipino-American community. The journey that this film has been on just to get to this point is nothing less than remarkable. For that reason alone, a lot of people are very excited to jump on the bandwagon of this movie without knowing a single thing about it. They claim to like this movie, but the only reason they claim to like it is because they see their favorite Filipino food on the screen or their favorite Filipino cultural tidbit and they think that's cool. But this movie is more than just a bunch of cheap pops that make Filipinos feel cool just because they're on the big screen. The Debut does well on its own merits.

The story of this movie is very well played out. Throughout the movie, you can definitely feel the tension between Ben and his father and the clash in their respective cultures and attitudes. You don't need to be Filipino in order to see that. Also, when Lolo Carlos and Augusto are added in, you see Ben trying to be pulled in two different directions, neither of which he wants to go towards. His identity crisis as a Filipino-American at a crossroads in his life is definitely apparent through the supporting cast. Also, the Dad isn't just the strict father that does what he wants and expects whatever he says to be the truth. Through his scenes with Ben and Lolo Carlos, you can definitely see the root of his means. By the end of the movie, you don't get a cornball ending where everyone hugs and laughs off into the sunset. You get a realistic ending that reflects the society we live in as people, not just Filipinos.

Sure, the tidbits of Filipino culture that are thrown in such as the traditional dancing, food, and mannerisms definitely appeal to the Filipino-American community. But The Debut is a movie that can transcend ethnic background. It's more than a cheap appeal to a minority that is struggling to belong. If there's one criticism I have about this movie, it's that the acting at some points is often awkward. But it doesn't take away from the overall impact of the movie.

All in all, I overwhelmingly recommend that you get The Debut no matter what your nationality is. It's a great movie and a great DVD. The special features of the DVD really let you know how much struggle, hardship, and effort went into making this movie a reality for the entire community, not just Filipino-Americans.

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One step foward or three steps back
Unlike many Asian Americans, who support anything that is produced by another Asian, This is such a poor product. Believe me, I want the movie to be "good", but it isn't. Actually it is no better than a Pilipino Cultural Show and a lifetime movie put together.
As an objective avid movie watcher, I can say that the pace of the movie is terrible, the script was better if written in gibberish and the movie was actually painful to watch.
Instead of making a good film, the producers tried to address all the issues in the world that affect Pilipino Americans.

Overall, Watch the film and support Asian American film makers, but Let's not kid ourselves...This was a disastrous film.

Better Luck Tomorrow was heads above The Debut.

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An affirming, energized, fun picture of growing up
The Debut snaps a shot of Filipino-American life with strong pace and a rich color palette. The basic plotline isn't really the point here; it's the retelling of a universal story in Filipino American terms. It delivers in broad strokes the sights, sounds, tastes, conflicts, and aspirations of Filipino American life--going far beyond lumpia and the tinikling (bamboo dance). No one film can tell every story, but The Debut is a worthy theatrical pioneer for one of the nation's largest but least understood ethnic groups.