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Who’s afraid of the turning cradle?

Cesar Montano accepts his Best Supporting Award for "El Presidente"

Not all men are created equal. Some are born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Others are abandoned right after they see the light of day.

Manila mayor Alfredo Lim belongs to the latter category. His indigent mother left him in the turning cradle of Hospicio de San Jose when he was a baby. He grew up longing for a mother’s touch until his grandparents plucked him from the orphanage and gave him a happy home.

This is what moviegoers see in the opening scenes of the biopic “Alfredo S. Lim: The Untold Story.” Okay, okay. The opening of the movie (Feb. 27 in theaters nationwide) is right smack in the middle of campaign season, when Lim is battling the popular Joseph Estrada for Manila mayor.

Timeless theme

A man’s triumph over adversity could be a worn-out theme. But the appeal of true-to-life stories showcasing this theme remains as strong as ever.

Cesar Montano as the well-decorated public servant is, as always, right for the job. He is a chameleon of an actor – moving fast against lawbreakers one minute, then softening up in front of his wife and children the next.

One thing remains constant, though: his love for his job as a policeman.

One of the more memorable scenes shows Cesar’s facial expression changing from one of surprise to amusement when he discovers his aparador (closet) waiting for him at the foot of the stairs leading to their house. His wife (played convincingly by Alessandra de Rossi) had the closet brought down to spite Lim, who just comes home to change his clothes.

Instead of taking it against his wife, Lim sees it as a sign that she cares for him enough to spare him the "trouble" of entering the house and changing clothes.

The film tries to break the seriousness of the fight scenes with some bedroom humor – literally.

Sarcastic suggestion

To his wife’s sarcastic suggestion that she bring down the shower as well, Lim’s reaction is, “Matutuwa kaya ang mga kapitbahay o maduduwal?” Or something to that effect.

Assunta, her back against Cesar, smirks and shoots back, “Maduduwal!”

The film, set in the '70s Marcos era, is also some sort of time machine. Images of the breathtaking Manila Bay sunset, a rotary phone, Marcos’ photo on the wall of Lim’s office, and Mrs. Lim’s '70s hairstyle and dresses, depict a colorful page in our history. Even the car the villains drive and the interiors of the house Lim and his family move on to elude death threats, are vintage '70s.

The controversial Krista Miller

A word should be said about Krista Miller, the woman who stirred up a hornet’s nest by posting incriminating messages and photos that rocked Cesar and wife Sunshine Cruz’s marriage.

Related story: Third party issue rocks Cesar-Sunshine marriage

Also read: Did Sunshine kick Cesar out of their conjugal home?

Krista is no bit player. She has several scenes as the hoodlum boss’ (played oh-so-well by Marc Abaya) unfaithful wife. Krista fits the temptress role to a T. Just as important, she landed a pivotal role in the movie. Can you blame Sunshine for seething in her Twitter posts on Krista?

But we digress. Krista’s role is but a subplot to Lim’s story of want and triumph. It is a break from the story of betrayal, forgiveness, family, hope and love.

The actors, led by Cesar, and followed by Assunta, Gloria Romero and Gina Pareno (as Lim’s grandmother and mother, respectivel), Marc and Nonie Buencamino gave excellent performances.

Election season or not, we can learn a thing or two from this biopic.

Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed.