By Reni M. Valenzuela

A nation’s character cannot be far from the kind of movie it produces, watches and the films it awash with accolades.

On New Year’s Day, I watched the movie, “Family Matters,” with my family in the cinema. We enjoyed every bit of it as there was no dull moment.

The film has depth.

Everyone in the theater seemed to be in a state of perpetual anticipation, looking forward to what will happen next and how the story might end.

There were a few laughs in between and, sometimes, tears in the eyes and a prick in the heart.

I seldom appreciate a movie for its overall quality, but this one, for me, should have received the awards. Though, in fairness to the other Metro Manila Film Festival entries, I haven’t seen any one of them.

Having said that, it’s a huge, huge wonder why “Family Matters” didn’t win a single award except for the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award, whatever that award means.

Worse, its actors and actresses didn’t even get a nomination when they performed so well, and I thought they had very good chances of winning the best acting and best supporting acting awards as they are all natural before the camera, including the children.

“Family Matters” can be likened to the 1975 movie, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” starring Jack Nicholson. It was a light but poetic drama. There were no spectacular scenes and acting in the movie, but it was aptly applauded in the Oscars and it was a runaway winner, having bagged 35 awards, including best picture, best actor, best actress and best director.

The only difference is that “Family Matters” lost, and it lost big time during the MMFF awards night. And I’m curious about it.

“Family Matters” is an excellent light drama movie without being excessively dramatic to be entertaining and win hearts.

It has profoundness in its story and script, and in the manner it was directed. Except for the part wherein the male members of the family were drinking.

I give the movie a 10, or even 11.