This year’s timely action-drama movie, Tandem explodes on the big screen on Feb. 17 from Tuko Film Productions and Buchi Boy Films, a brainchild of Artikulo Uno Productions, makers of the blockbuster Heneral Luna and Quantum Films, which gave us much-acclaimed movies like Kubrador, Here Comes the Bride, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank, the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival super hit English Only Please!,Walang Forever, and Buy Now Die Later in the recently-concluded 2015 MMFF.
From a story by Zig Marasigan, Tandem is about brother-partners Rex (JM de Guzman) and Roman (Nico Antonio), who make a living by snatching bags and cellphones in Metro Manila.
Rex is more aggressive compared to Roman. Roman is a lot more cautious because his wife, Cha (Rochelle Pangilinan), is heavy with their child while Rex is in an on-off relationship with his girlfriend, Nadine (Elora Espano).
The brothers get ample protection from corrupt police officers Alba and Lucero, who are also runners of a big-time syndicate.
Upon the instructions of the police officers, Rex and Roman plan to rob a construction site. With the help of an informant from the site, the brothers stand to earn a fat sum from the job. But then, things didn’t work out as they planned. Rex kills the foreman in order to save Roman. By some unexpected twist, Alba and Lucero were placed under investigation by the Philippine National Police in a bid to rid its ranks of rogue officials.
Ordered to arrest Rex and Roman, Alba and Lucero instead instructs the brothers to salvage the officers investigating them.
Rex and Roman accept the assignment but fail to accomplish the task. They then decide to escape with their loved ones. The succeeding scenes involve bloody encounters between Rex and Roman and the corrupt cops.
Tandem premieredat Montreal International Film Festival followed by participation in the Vancouver International Film Festival and Cairo International Film Festival.
It is scheduled to have a European premiere in the Fantasporto International Film Festival in Porto, Portugal.
The movie premiered locally at the just-concluded Metro Manila Film Festival New Wave competition. It even got an “A” grade from the Cinema Evaluation Board. CEB members commended the film as a whole, from the acting department to the direction, editing, photography, production design and timely tale.
JM also received a best actor trophy for his outstanding performance in the movie.