This film dealt with issues of conscience versus authority, and the conflict of a family as they faced their own issues of ethic judgments. I thought it effectively portrayed the different conflicts the family confronted, and how they eventually were able to come to terms with the injustice of the government after they resolved heartbreaking events that traumatized their family.
At the start of the film, we saw how the Julian, the fathe, believed in the good of the government, and supported free thinking of his children, yet at the same time refused to allow his wife to work, feeling insulted that he was somehow unable to provide her needs. This seemingly conflicting viewpoint was not adequately resolved by the end of the film, however, with the film ending in the early 80’s, it could be presumed that an enlightened outlook by Julian would eventually be reached at some future point. This could be an allegory for the state of the country at the time, as the people slowly realized the injustice of the Marcos regime, and finally revolted.
The film also told the story seemingly through the perspective of the mother, Amanda, as she watched her children mature with various personalities, often in opposition to the traditional state supported viewpoint, most notably in the case of her oldest son, Jules. The family’s illicit support of Jules, even lying to the military as they searched their home for information regarding the whereabouts of Jules shows that they already realized the unjust oppression of the Marcos regime, and while not overtly supporting the rebels, they believed in their hearts that Jules was doing the right thing and were supporting him beyond what would be expected for simple familial bonds.
I felt the issue of conscience versus authority was also successfully addressed, as the family followed authority because they were initially doing what was perceived to be the right, but as gradual injustices and the harshness of martial law set in, they realized it was not enough to obey authority, but it was their duty to question the morality of government actions, as exemplified by Jules. The loss of their son Jason, and the apparent callousness of the police in apprehending his killers was the final push that made the family address and realize how corrupt and unjust the government had become. Amanda finally accepted that she was not in a happy marriage, and Julian acknowledged that he was himself like the government in how his behavior, while seemingly for the good, was not ethically equal for his wife.
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