SHARON CUNETA'S CAREGIVER
Caregiver is a 2008 Filipino drama film. The film stars Filipina actress Sharon Cuneta portraying the role of Sarah, a mother who left her son in the Philippines and also a teacher who relinquished her profession in lieu of care giving in London, in hopes of augmenting her salary. Chito S. Roño directed the film and Chris Martinez wrote its screenplay.
It is one of the top-grossing Filipino movies of the year. The film also receives mostly positive reviews from critics
The film is based on real-life story of Filipino caregivers abroad. Director Roño searched for stories of their life abroad and personally talked to some who shared their experiences. Roño has friends who work as caregivers; their real-life scenarios were directly depicted in the film.[1]
Eighty percent of the film was shot in Littlehampton, West Sussex in three straight weeks. Shots in Littlehampton include the snow scene, which was in the Littlehampton beach. The cast includes British actors namely: Saul Reichlin, Matthew Rutherford, and Claire Jeater.[1]
The rest of the film was shot in Roosevelt College Rodriguez. The scenes here include the part where Sarah was still studying as a caregiver student.
Caregiver is released under Star Cinema, which marks the company's fifteenth year in service. The year 2008 also marks Cuneta's thirtieth anniversy in the industry, and the film serves as offering to fans.[1]
The film was also released in international cinemas. Caregiver had its premiere in Alex Theatre in Glendale, California on May 31, 2008. Many Filipino caregivers working far from California travelled in to watch the film.[2] It was released in late June and early July 2008 to several Middle East countries, including Qatar and Dubai.[3]
After four years, megastar Sharon Cuneta comes back to the big screen with the Star Cinema movie, ‘Caregiver‘.
This is no ordinary movie. I can already see just from the trailer that this is a must-see movie. I don’t know of anyone who cannot relate to its subject. Don’t we all know someone who has worked or is working as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW)?
‘Caregiver’ brings to the fore the challenges and triumphs of those legions of our countrymen who give of themselves beyond the call of duty.
Along with Sharon, the movie also stars John Estrada, Rica Peralejo, Jhong Hilario, Boots Anson Roa, Mickey Ferriols, Lotlot de Leon, John Manalo, Makisig Morales, and Monique Wilson. It was directed by Chito S. Roño. The caliber of this movie is such that was awarded an “A” rating by the Philippine Cinema Evaluation Board.
Here is a synopsis:
Sarah (Sharon Cuneta), a grade school English teacher, joins the 150,000 Pinoy OFWs working in the United Kingdom to support her husband, Teddy (John Estrada), in making a better living for their family.
After that fleeting period of excitement, she experiences the hard challenges every Filipino caregivers face every day: the icy weather, the dirty work, the difficult patients.
Meanwhile, Teddy also struggles with the daily grind in the hospital as he works in the hospital.
Despite the difficulties of adjusting to London life, however, Sarah faithfully stands by her Teddy. She tries to make the most of the situation by giving her best in her work, and in this way, earns the respect of Mr. Morgan, his wealthy old ward. However, Teddy is oblivious to her success, as he is absorbed in his own problems with work. Sarah finds solace in her friendship with Mr. Morgan and his son David, who seems to appreciate her more than Teddy does, and with her little friend Sean (Makisig Morales), who somehow eases her longing for her own son.
Tensions rise between Sarah and Teddy as the stress of London life takes its toll on their marriage.
Will Sarah choose to remain by her husband’s side to keep her family intact? Or will she find the strength to stay in London to continue seeking a better life for her son, even if it means losing her marriage?
The Megastar must have been really missed by her fans because until now, the movie is going strong in the theaters nationwide and also internationally. Unfortunately, this movie of the host of Sharon was not able to top the local box-office on its second week but it already surpassed the P100 million bracket making it this year’s no. 1 Pinoy movie so far beating the record of My Bestfriend’s Girlfriend.
But if were talking overseas that’s a different story. This is because the Philippine Box Office from June 4 to 8 reports that for its second weekend, Caregiver continues its lead at $2,495,391 over Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull at $2,301,526 on its third week. For the June 4 openers, The Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian grossed higher at $1,036,190.
This is in comparison to Kung Fu Panda at $884,823. This makes Caregiver the biggest grosser in the last eight weeks, also toppling Iron Man at $3,891,901 (six weeks), When Love Begins at $1,992,788 (6 weeks) and The Forbidden Kingdom at $1,513,825 (8 weeks).
