‘Lavender Fields‘ is a perfect demonstration of what incredible portral can do.
Coming to Netflix this August 30 and on primetime TV, on September 2, the series, dubbed by ABS-CBN, as the powerhouse drama of the year, is as flawlessly-acted as many expected to be.
From the opening frames, the series has anchored upon the enormous talents of its lead stars, Jericho Rosales and Janine Gutierrez, dazzling the screen with their conviction and grace in pulling off their early moments. Their scenes are a goldmine of emotions, proving their versatility and power, to carry sequences that demand wide array of sentiments.
Sta. Maria, whose artistic brilliance is no longer a surprise, owned her scenes. From the ‘kilig’ she felt when her relationship with Rosales started to blossom, to confusion, when suddenly things get murky, and to regret and pain, when she realized she fell to the lies of a dangerous man. Sta. Maria navigated these emotional demands and pulled them off beautifully. When danger and fear started to pursue her, she mustered strength, determination, ans hope altogether, proving yet again her mettle in tackling big and sensitive scenes.
Rosales isn’t called the ‘Asian Drama King’ for nothing. He is sensational in all his dramatic moments, imbuing them with restraint and nuance. A scene where he parted ways with Sta. Maria, may be one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the cinema cut of the series, and Rosales certainly nailed it. That said, Lavender Fields seems to be a story that would keep audience clueless of the next heartbreaking point, which makes it even more exciting. Together, Rosales and Sta. Maria’s incredible artistry drives the plot forward, allowing it to foster in mystery and intensity.
Janine Gutierrez is spectacular in this new role. It’s amazing how much she has grown as an actress in the past few years alone, and in Lavender Fields, she flourished in skillfulness and grace, showing what she can do as a competent actor. Watch out for her action scenes with Sta. Maria, as she they’re both gritty as an action star needs to be.
And that’s what I love most about the female leads of Lavender Fields. They do not show inhibition and hesitation, when it comes to performing action scenes. The action sequences they pulled individually and together, brim with tension and danger, and like their male counterparts, they move with well-executed choreography. Individually, they are feisty and tenacious in their scenes, but together, they both soar when it’s time to go head-to-head and confront each other.
Maricel Soriano, delivered as expected. Known for her mastery in pulling off impactful lines, she definitely devoured. Her one liners, alone, are overflowing with assuredness and power. Edu Manzano portrays here, a man with questionable integrity and principle, and he provides the covertness of the role, through sheer control and commitment. Albert Martinez, who plays a central figure in uncovering the biggest secret of the plot, is as collected as any private investgator is usually projected to be, but he makes it even more compelling with his means and cleverness in pursuing the answers he is after. Martinez, himself, described his role, as something he has long dreamed to perform, and he’s certainly making the best out of this opportunity.
Magdangal’s character is yet to develop in the coming episodes, but there are hints, this early, of the size her character will soon become.
Lavender Fields, however, isn’t solely driven by the greatness of its cast. It also finds strength in the elegance of its visual design. Storytelling is top notch. There is a satisfying pace and momentum, allowing the plot simmer in the first half of the cinema plot, only to explode in intensity, in the second half. Watch out again for the action scenes shared and executed by women, because they will make this series soar!
Lavender Fields premieres on Netflix on August 30, and iWantTFC on August 31. Watch it on its regular television airing, beginning September 2, on A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, and TV5.
