The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros (2005)

A young boy falls in love with a handsome policeman who is investigating his family's criminal activities.

Director:

Auraeus Solito

Writer:

Michiko Yamamoto (story and screenplay)

Stars:

Nathan Lopez, Soliman Cruz, J.R. Valentin

24 wins & 28 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nathan Lopez	...	Maxi Oliveros
Soliman Cruz	...	Paco Oliveros
J.R. Valentin	...	Victor Perez
Neil Ryan Sese	...	Boy Oliveros
Ping Medina	...	Bogs Oliveros
Bodjie Pascua	...	New Sergeant
Elmo Redrico	...	Sarge
Ivan Camacho	...	Art
Lucito Lopez	...	Pulis
Jett Desalesa	...	Leslie - Maxi's friend (as Sir Jett Desalesa)
Anastacio Cruz	...	Nar - Maxi's friend
Roychell Torre	...	Monique - Maxi's friend
Peter Anthony Tumbaga	...	Peter - Maxi's friend
Edwin Pamanian	...	Isko
Rodney Luengu	...	Mang Axel

Storyline

Can a 12-year old lad who wishes he were a girl navigate the mean streets of Manila? Maxi cooks, cleans, and sews for his father and older brothers who are petty criminals. He's sweet, clever and hardworking, at ease with being gay, pinning a flower in his hair, swinging his hips when he walks, vamping with friends. He's seen adults hug and kiss and he's watched romantic movies, so on the verge of puberty, he develops a crush on Victor, a kindly young cop. Maxi's heart and loyalties are on a collision course: Victor is investigating crimes that lead him to Maxi's family. In the land of the morning, is there a place for this child of the sun returning?

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Plot Keywords:

criminal | boy | crush | friend | petty criminal | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Philippines] Zelig Films [France]

Country:

Philippines

Language:

Filipino Tagalog

Release Date:

4 April 2007 (France)

Also Known As:

Feslő bimbó - Maxi legszebb évei

Filming Locations:

Barangay 539 Zone 53, Sampaloc, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,690, 22 September 2006, Limited Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinemalaya Foundation, UFO Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both Nathan Lopez and his identical twin Gammy auditioned for the title role of Maximo Oliveros. Nathan won the part.

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Quotes

Maxi: I bet you're ugly when you're angry.

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Connections

References Gone with the Wind (1939)

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Soundtracks

Silungan
Written by Jaq Esquivias (as J. Esquivias), Brian Sergio (as S. Sergio), Dru Ubaldo (as D. Ubaldo)
Performed by Whatevurittakes

User Reviews

An unexpected delight

I really didn't know what to expect on sitting down to watch The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros. Only knowing a few details of the plot - a young Philippino boy, the slums of Manila, a cop - I was worried that this was not likely to be the feelgood film of 2007!

How wrong I was. This film is one of the most unexpected delights of recent years, anchored by a central performance from 12-year-old Nathan Lopez that is dazzlingly mature and breathtakingly charming. Although the film does veer into melodramatic territory in the predictable conflict between JR Valentin's young cop and Maxi's family of petty criminals, the central storyline of Maxi's crush on the hunky policeman is handled with tremendous sensitivity, humour and warmth.

In a perfect world performances like Lopez's would gather awards like daffodils, but in the absence of any trophies I hope he's happy to have created such a memorable character. If your heart doesn't break watching Maxi's story, chances are you have no heart to break.