#Y, the afterthought

- Reviewing #Y is giving your own interpretation of the film.  Here was a multi-dimensional film that can attack the viewer from various angles and at different levels.

- We saw the film without know much about it except the synopsis from the Cinemalaya guide.  The trailer looked like an Avicii MTV, so we got nothing from that too.

- One can read Gino Santos's #Y in many ways.  First, it could be an analysis of Miles, diagnosed with schizophrenia and mild bipolar disorder.  Manifestations in the film were not explicit. In fact, many missed the omnipresent Big Brother Mike, who was there in the hospital, in his room, in all the parties, and even when Miles was on the ledge.  Mike, almost similarly clad with "brother" Miles in most of his scenes, was both caring and carefree, admitting in one scene that he was also high.  Apart from Miles, no one really paid attention to Mike.  His parents did not even acknowledge him on the dinner table.  And, wow, what must yaya be thinking when she was cleaning the room of Miles, and he was talking to Mike.

- Secondly, it could be a statement on the impact of the fast-paced lives to Generation Y.  The upper class Millenials depicted in the film were living in YOLO mode.  Their access to practically anything and everything allows them to do whatever they want, now.  Maybe that includes suicide.

- Regardless of how you interpret the film, it was brilliantly crafted.  The screenplay was smart. Many criticized the film for romanticizing the suicide.  Maybe they are right, but maybe they also miss the point.  The first sequence about Miles's 5 encounter with death was darkly hilarious, especially his thought process on how to execute his suicide.

- The 1-liner social commentaries on society, fads, and trends were incredibly witty rather than preachy

- Many of the film's themes were not specific to Millenials. There had been a lot of films about sex, drugs, and rock and roll.  But the glaring difference here is social media, and how information can spread like wild fire instantaneously.  Most importantly, we particularly liked how their "Social Media Image" was depicted as very important to this generation.  "Ano na lang ang sasabihin nila (What will others say?)?", has a wider meaning in the age of social media.  So we appreciated the presentation of the GenY psychology in terms of how they greatly value their image.

- Editing and camera work were complimentary and were critical elements in a film that depicts the fast paced millenial generation.  They always seem "busy", of important things or non-important things, who is to judge?

- Commendable Ensemble.   And we said this, before the 5-some of Miles, Janna, Lia, Ping and Abby were given a special citation by Cinemalaya.  We were surprised that Elmo Magalona could carry a complex film with a perfect balance of youth and maturity with his portrayal.  Colleen Garcia was a revelation.  Chynna Ortaleza was the conscience of the movie through her endearing portrayal.

Rating: 9/10.

We just learned that #Y will have regular screening in October.