Watch A Dangerous Life

  • 1989
  • 2 hr 42 min

A Dangerous Life is a 1988 movie directed by Robert Markowitz and written by David Williamson, with a star-studded cast of Gary Busey, Johnny Delgado, and Roy Alvarez. The film portrays the political tensions in the Philippines, showcasing the dramatic lead up to the fall of President Ferdinand Marcos and the rise of Corazon Aquino to power.

The film began with an American journalist named Tony O'Neil, played by Gary Busey, who takes up the position of a Manila correspondent in the early 1980s. He arrives in the Philippines thinking he knows everything about the country, but rapidly realizes that the political situation is more complicated than he had initially assumed.

O'Neil was initially skeptical of the opposition movement's claims of widespread human rights abuses, and he believed that the Marcos regime was genuinely popular with the people. However, as he began to delve deeper into the story, he discovered widespread corruption, censorship, and even murder.

As the movie progressed, we see O'Neil doing his best to report the events as he sees them. He attempts to interview all sorts of people involved in the opposition movement, including opposition leaders, military defectors, and even members of communist guerrilla fighters. With his dedication to uncovering the truth, he gained many sources, including the union leader Domingo P. Soliman, played by Roy Alvarez, and his sister-in-law, a staunch opposition supporter.

Throughout the film, we see the tension in the country slowly increase, showing riots on the streets as well as military crackdowns against the opposition. Still, O'Neil keeps working with his sources, doing his best to report the events as they happen to the best of his ability.

As things continue to heat up, O'Neil realizes that he has become a target himself, which leads to him establishing both a love affair with his sources and a surprising friendship with Marcos' life-long friend, former Chief of Staff General Fabian C. Ver.

A Dangerous Life provides a snapshot of the events that developed until the eventual fall of Marcos. It exemplifies the danger of reporting on locations where there is political upheaval as it shows the extent to which journalists may risk their lives to bring the truth to light. The film depicts individuals demonstrating an incredible bravery and humanity that serves as an excellent reminder of why independent reporting is so crucial.

The movie's ending provides a stark reminder of how genuinely dangerous reporting the truth can be, leading many people to suffer dire consequences. It emphasizes how important journalists' roles are in democracy to tell both sides of the story and report an independent voice on the events without being subjected to censorship or forced into silence.

Throughout the film, the performances of the lead actors, Gary Busey, Johnny Delgado, and Roy Alvarez, were top-notch. Gary Busey's portrayal of the determined journalist was captivating and convincing, effectively bringing the character of O'Neil courageously to life. The local Filipino actors, Delgado and Alvarez, worked harmoniously, resonating the life depicted in those specific situations in the Philippines during the late 1980s.

A Dangerous Life is an exemplary Filipino film that showcased the country and its people's richness and its unfolding events that changed the Philippines forever. While it may be considered a historical drama, the lessons it conveys remain relevant today, making it a worthy watch, even after more than thirty years since its release.

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Description
  • Release Date
    1989
  • Runtime
    2 hr 42 min
  • Language
    English