Die Beautiful (Movie Review)
We, Filipinos often joke that if we achieved our dreams, if we get something that we truly want, we can happily die afterwards.
The movie Die Beautiful took this joke seriously. Trisha Echevarria (played by Paolo Ballesteros) is a transgender beauty queen who mysteriously dies after winning the crown in the Bb. Gay Philippines, perhaps the most prestigious gay pageant in the country. She made a request from her best friend Barbs (Christian Bables) that she wants to be presented as a different celebrity on each night of her wake. However since she grew up in a religious family, her father disapproves of her chosen identity and wants to bury her as a man. Directed by Jun Robles Lana, this Filipino comedy-drama intertwines the past and present, showing the different shades in Trisha’s colourful life.
      What I like about this film is the makeup. I learned that Paolo Ballesteros himself did his makeup since he’s also well-known in copying the look of other celebrities. My favourite one is when he looked like Angelina Jolie. It’s amazing how with just a little brush here and a lip tint there can transform his face into someone else’s. I think the makeup adds to the cinematography of the film. All throughout the movie, I can see how vibrant and colourful every scene is even though we know that the movie is more on the death of Trisha.
Another thing that struck me the most is the acting. Paolo and all the actors did a great job in portraying their characters. They are very satirical yet they presented a pressing issue in the society. The movie reflects our view on the LGBT community. Until now, they are not yet widely accepted. They are still being ridiculed and insulted, and often seen as an aberration in the community. This movie shows a different side of the LGBT family. Trisha proved that you don’t need to be a girl (biologically) to be a mother and to do the things that women usually do.
If you want a funny movie that has content and essence, you must watch this film. It has competed in different film festivals and won several awards so rest assured that this film is truly worth it and definitely not a waste of time and money.
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