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| The Official Poster of Bar Boys: After School (From 901 Studios PH and Cinema Bravo Instagram accounts) |
Rocco Nacino, Carlo Aquino, Enzo Pineda, and Kean Cipriano reprised their roles in the movie sequel of Bar Boys for the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival.
The film
started by showing the current lives of the core actors. Attorney Torran Garcia
(Rocco Nacino) is happily married with musician Jasmine (Glaiza De Castro). The
family man seems to have everything in life, but he feels unhappy about his
stay with the law firm he is associated with due to conflicting values and
beliefs.
Attorney Chris
Carlson (Enzo Pineda) practices his legal profession in New York City. Despite being
big time in The Big Apple, he lost big time as Rachel, the apple of his eyes,
divorced him. He goes back to the Philippines brokenhearted and struggling on
the aftermath of his failed marriage.
On the
other hand, Attorney Erik Vicencio (Carlo Aquino) has been tied with a
non-profit organization for many years. He serves the marginalized sector
particularly the farmers and laborers. Due to the nature of his work, his
reputation and life are always at stake. There was assassination plot that he
survived. Unfortunately, his client, Bok, got killed for saving him. The ghost
of the fallen victim haunted him throughout the film. Erik was eager to win the
case for Bok’s family and group.
Lastly,
Joshua Zuniga, a former actor, redeems himself from setbacks he experienced in
his showbiz career through finishing law degree.
After ten
long years, the four characters reunited and shared what happened in their
lives for the past decade. Then, they talked about the worsening health
condition of Justice Bing Hernandez (Odette Khan), their former law
professor. They decided to take care of her as their mentor stated she opted to
undergo hospitalization without bothering her family she failed to nurture as
she devoted her time in legal practice.
The sequel introduced new characters that have interesting
background. They are:
Trisha Perez, a trans woman who excels in her studies and
advocate of LGBTQIA+ rights, played by multimedia personality Sassa Gurl;
Arvin Asuncion, a child of an OFW. He works as a waiter to
support himself in his studies. Will Ashley portrayed the role;
CJ David, a college graduate who pursue law school thinking
her community needs her service as their place is affected by quarrying wrongly
done by a corporation. This is played by multi- awarded actor Therese Malvar;
Mae, supportive sister of Trisha and president of Josh’s
fan’s club, portrayed by singer Klarisse De Guzman; and
Ziggy Nicardo, a restaurateur and a nepo baby, acted by
Emilio Daez.
The old and new characters established their relationships
when Josh, Trisha, Arvin, and CJ became part of a study group in Attorney
Torran’s class. The four law hopefuls stayed under Mae’s home. The story made
them collaborate in taking care of Justice Hernandez. CJ joins the four main
characters in battling Attorney Rhodina Banal and his influential client.
Arvin’s secret was learned by Attorney Torran and friends when they dined in
the restaurant owned by Ziggy.
The film discussed how time changes people’s lives. The Bar
Boys tasted life after school. They experienced sweet victories, bitterness in
losses, and blandness in uncertainties. Their morals and even their friendship
were tested. Despite their differences, they managed to preserve their bond.
Thanks to the people around them especially to Justice Hernandez who is
instrumental in shaping their characters and remained a sage until her last
breath.
Furthermore, the movie is inspirational. It tackles the
importance of perseverance in reaching your dreams despite the odds. It has
lines that make you ponder about adulting and push you to continue believe in
yourself.
The sequel is praiseworthy as it is showed the reality of
law profession and justice system in the country. It effectively unveiled that
lawyering is not always wearing suits and fame, but it is having a big heart
for the public who needs legal assistance the most. It gives realization that
there are lawyers who are still champions of justice in our country despite
prevalence of corruption, power tripping, and violence.
The film was able to establish the connection of the former
and new cast. They clicked together making the ensemble formidable. Odette Khan
is legendary. She is a pillar. She gave justice to her role, and she deserves
the best supporting actress award. She evoked the misery of a lawyer facing
consequences of sacrificing her personal life for a profession she called a
thankless job.
The four main actors aced their roles. Carlo is a seasoned
actor. He effectively depicted Erik who is drowning and lost in his profession.
You can sympathize his character as he brilliantly acted Attorney Vicencio’s
frustrations in life. Rocco did well in serving as the mentor of the law
dreamers. He made Torran a lawyer who is grounded and a model for aspiring
lawyers.
Kean deserves praises for pouring his heart out in portraying
Josh. Because of his act, you want to root for Josh so bad. He has chemistry
with Klarisse. They complemented each other. The two made Josh and Mae a lovely
pair.
Enzo delivered in playing Attorney Chris. One can feel pity
for the character’s melancholy of unsuccessful marriage, and at the same time
feel angry on being rude against Erik. You will just the exchange of banters of
Chris and Erik when their egos were hurt. Their argument about their current
life and their fathers is like the formal and legalese version of We Talk About
Mothers scene in White Chicks and Mama Mo Blue meme.
Will is a superb actor. He showed the vulnerabilities of
Arvin especially when he flunked the Bar and when he went back to his life as a
waiter. Therese is Therese. She is natural. She made CJ a beautiful character.
Sassa Gurl is a show stealer. Props to her for giving life
to Trish. The way she delivered lines especially on recitation about subpoena
makes you want to hear more from her. She effectively established Trish as a
character who wants change.
Toby the Cat is another show stealer. The feline creature
knows justice.
The story has nice pacing. You can follow the flow. The
production is good. It deserves high ratings. In this review, college rating
system will be applied inspired of Trish’s uno grade. The film deserves 1.0. It
was excellently done. It is a film the nation needs as our country is embroiled
in sociopolitical issues.
Uno grade does not mean always having a perfect grade. The film could be better if Chris was given time to be the best version of himself. The win of CJ and Erik against the corporation over quarrying issue should be highlighted, and not just a clip in the post- end credit. Multiple sub-plots in a film is a challenge for filmmakers to narrate, and it is understandable given the amount of time. Nevertheless, the two- hour show is worth the money for its message, versatility of the actors, and creativity and fine craftmanship of the production. Case closed.
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