BOSO

Alternate Title: Peep
Country: Philippines
Release Year: 2005
Genre: Erotic / Drama / Comedy
Language: Tagalog
Running Time: Director's Cut ?

[Cast]
Allen Dizon
Ella V
JC Parker
Bembol Roco
Joel Torre
Ronnie Lazaro
Tado
Justin de Leon
Katya Santos
Gwen Garcia
and Jeffrey Quizon

[Director]
Jon Red


BOSO (2005) is a type of movie that is a result of a very clever director, with intricate directing style, and resourceful work ethics. Jon Red is rising up to be one of the many new-wave filipino directors that is re-writing the filipino way of filmmaking. Thank goodness is a positive one. I haven't been much of a filipino cinema fan, at least not as of late but thanks to my Kuya (means brother in Tagalog)he has kept me current in it. Enough anyway to have the knowledge of who's who in Philippine cinema.

Clearly the MacGuffin here is the main character's uncontrollable desire to peep. Hence the title. The lead character is Jake played by Jeffrey Quizon. He is the handyman of a crazy rundown apartment building that's home to the many uniquely weird, and hilarious characters in BOSO.

His desire to peep was an accident. One day the owner of the building, his boss orders him to go up to the attic and place rat poison. Little did he know, this will change his boring life forever. A small hole big enough to see what was going on underneath caught his attention, as he peeped at what was happening down below he started to enjoy it. Especially if it's a hot young filipina chick changing clothes...having the time to watch something like that at his leisure made Jake feel...powerful almost...god-like if you will!

Soon every apartment in the building at its own private peep hole courtesy of Jake.
He soon learned that each and every person who lives in the building has their own private enjoyments, secrets, and their own personal demons within them. Watching Jake peep as he narrates his findings to the viewer is almost sinful, because the viewer really feels like he's actually there with Jake. In fact, it came to the point where he knew about all the details in each and every tenants lives, even the small ones.

Jake, because of his peepings knew who masterbated every night, he knows who get molested, and who's the molestor, he knows who is having sex...at the exact moment, he knows who doesn't like which tenants, he knows who steals habitually, etc. Jake shares this with you...the viewer!!!

Just you and him, and you feel almost as if...he's personally talking to you as he talks about each and every people he's peeping at.It's a very simple technique to grab the viewers' undivided attention. I swear, as I was watching this film I almost felt...somewhat guilty of peeping. That's when you know you're watching quality cinema, where it can transport you to another place, and time.

May I also add that Katya Santos, is a hot little mama!!! She is absolutely gorgeous. She plays Jake's love interest. Which is kinda wierd because she's married in the movie of course. She and her husband are the building's newest tenants whom Jake helps to move in. Newlyweds who just came back from their honeymoon and are taking their first step of their lives together. Of course that wont stop Jake from peeping at their newlywed lives. He's pervert..but...in a way the viewers is able to see why he does what he does. Well, because he explains it to you...he's very convincing to say the least!!!

As a matter of fact, in all of us there's a certain craving of curiousity but are afraid to succumb to. Jake on the other hand embraces the fact, as he shows us how he feeds his appetite for his vouyeristic hunger. Besides the sexual premise of this flick. It should not be missed because it highlights some of Philippines latest hot female newcomers in the entertainment biz, you've got Katya Santos, Gwen Garci, JC Parker (who very much resembles a young Penelope Cruz), and Ella V. The only chick Jake bangs in the flick!!!

However, still BOSO is in a way a landmark in Philippine Cinema because it shows the craftiness of filipino directors at least Jon Red anyway...he uses a Digital Video Camera to film BOSO, and manages to produce a very entertaining sex comedy!

I really hope that future filipino directors learn from this revolutionary director because the one thing that the Philippine Cinema is notorious for, is being cheap. The film companies will only invest a certain amount of money in a given project, unfortunately this age-old habit of the filipino way of filmaking is the ultimate curse that all of them had placed on their movies, and because of this most filipino action movies are crap!

Don't even think of watching a filipino action flick, it will make you sick!!!
No it won't be the acting that will disappoint you. In fact the acting in most filipino movies produced are superb no doubt especially acting performances from genres like Comedy, Horror, and Drama.

However, the one thing that will tick off anyone that watches a filipino action movie is the obvious cheap sets, and crappy explosions, as well as obviously fake sound effects. Don't even ask me about the blood effects...trust me on this!

Kudos to Jon Red in conceiving a thought provoking flick, as well as revolutionizing the filipino way of filmaking at the same time.

BOSO takes the Philippine Cinema to the next level as far production, and quality as concerned.

That means progress people!!

I can't wait to see what's next in Jon Red's bag of tricks. In the meantime, I shall wait in anticipation.

Thankfully the DVD that was released has english subtitles. That way english speakers can enjoy this rare filipino cinematic gem. That is if you can get a hold of the DVD that is.

In short, BOSO is recommended very highly by yours truly.
Highly recommended, and a very clever piece of Philippine movie making.

About frickin' time!!!