The various events and occurrences leading up to and during World War 2 have left us all with countless stories of heroism, human kindness and sacrifice and unbelievable feats that all deserve to be remembered. with the cinematic landscape in particular featuring an array of worthy stories that have been showcased for audiences through the medium of film.

The newest addition to the World War 2 cinematic library is Quezon's Game, a low-budget affair that tells that non-mainstream true story of Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon, who through the goodness of his heart worked with his trusted team of servants and countrymen to shelter 1000's of refugee Jews that were escaping persecution in the Nazi occupied lands of Europe before the heat of WW2 properly began.

It's a fascinating story, one that deserves some limelight in a space often littered with higher profile stories of a similar ilk, but despite having its heart in the right place and some emotionally charged moments, Matthew Rosen's film is too soapy and melodramatic too really do this story full justice.

No doubt hampered by its low funding, Game is littered with many a dialogue heavy scene, filled with little flair or presentation throughout and while it has a few picturesque Philippines set locations showcased during its two hour runtime, the film is often a victim of it's behind the scenes circumstances as it struggles to bring energy or gripping elements to its examination of a an extremely interesting man and subject matter.

Portrayed by Raymond Bagatsing, Manuel L. Quezon is given very little time to shine in Rosen's film and while we are intrigued and even inspired by what the president did during his time (whilst also battling tuberculosis),Rosen and Bagatsing fail to dig deep into what made the president tick and often act in ways that wasn't always the popular decision or in ways that didn't endear him to his own party members.

The failure to fully explore this intriguing real life character is in many ways a metaphor for the films inability to make the most of the opportunities available to it, elements like Quezon's friendship with then military adviser Dwight Eisenhower and the heartbreaking decision to pick and choose which Jewish refugees would be chosen to bring into the country all feel half-cooked, a shame for the film as it has moments that are genuinely moving and unique in the WW2 cinematic cannon.

Final Say -

Well-intentioned, this shining of a light on a little known component of the WW2 story falls victim to the circumstances that have seen it make it to the big screen, as Rosen and his cast can't shake the more amateurish natures of its delivery that hold this true story back from being a must-watch feature.

2 ½ office coughing fits out of 5

Greetings again from the darkness. I've stated it many times before, and it's proven true again here ... WWII continues to be a source for stories big and small. Stories of heroes, and stories of victims. Some of these stories are very personal, and some have historical significance - even if we may only know fragments of the full events. The first feature film from Matthew Rosen combines these elements as he brings to the screen the fascinating role of Philippines President Manuel Quezon in providing asylum to Jewish refugees.

The film is bookended with an ailing President Quezon (played by Raymond Bagatsing) watching a Holocaust newsreel with his wife Aurora (Rachel Alejandro) as he convalesces at Saranac Cove Cottage in 1944. He turns to her and asks, "Could I have done more?" We then flashback six years to 1938. The screen explodes with vibrant colors as we land in Manila, the Capital city of The Philippines.

Jewish-American Ambassador Alex Frieder (Billy Ray Gallion) receives a telegram warning from Germany, and what follows is a glimpse at the behind-the-scenes political maneuverings, rather than a direct focus on the atrocities of concentration camps. President Quezon (and his wife) are presented as compassionate and empathetic towards the plight of the Jews in Germany. They are committed to helping even if it's not a prudent political approach and it goes against their advisors. Someone does mention that Germany is "technically not our enemy" ... "no matter how much we hate the SOBs."

It's especially interesting (and probably unknown to the majority of Americans) that U.S. High Commissioner to the Philippines, Paul McNutt (James Paoeli),played a key role in what basically amounted to going against the orders of the U.S. Government in arranging safe passage for the Jewish refugees. McNutt had seen himself as a successor to FDR as President of the United States - a dream that ended when FDR ran for a third and fourth term. Also playing a key role was Dwight Eisenhower (David Bianco),who was a military adviser, and even offered the position of Philippines Chief of Police by Quezon. Of course, after the war, Eisenhower went on to serve two terms as President of the United States.

Co-writers Janice Y Perez and Dean Rosen, along with director Rosen, have uncovered a terrific piece of history, and with the steady stream of white suits, fat cigars, and clinking cocktail glasses, the film has the right look for a historical drama. It's really the dialogue and execution that come up short. We never quite believe these situations are anything but staged, which results in a negative impact on the drama and tension. The Philippines were under U.S. control from 1898-1946, and Quezon was fighting for his country's independence at the same time he faced other challenges internal to the country, his own health issues (tuberculosis),and possible ramifications for defying the U.S. The obvious comparison here is to SCHINDLER'S LIST, and while not at that level, Quezon's actions provided asylum for 1200 Jews and make for a story that deserves to be told. The closing credits are filled with clips of survivors telling their stories ... the perfect ending.

Raymond Bagatsing stars in this movie entitled,"Quezon's Game". The movie tells a story about a little known legacy of the late President of the Philippines - Manuel L.Quezon - with regards to providing help to the Jews who are trying to escape from the ghettos of Austria and Germany after they are being hunted by Adolph Hitler and the Nazis.

What seems to be a minor help to these Jews would rather be like an astronomical hurdle that Quezon has to do in order to get them made. Added to that screenplay is Quezon's fight for independence of the Philippines from the United States and his personal battle with tuberculosis.

The movie definitely is a good one considering that it highlights the Filipino's virtue of hospitality to the viewers of the film for which the Philippines is known for. it also magnifies one of the little known legacy of a great Filipino man in Manuel Quezon,who was well-known for his fight for independence for the Philippines. It could have been a masterpiece but too bad that it fell short in some parts of the film.

Despite the fact that it firmly establishes Quezon as a great man and it highlights his help to the Jews,I felt that the movie is somewhat lacking in realism in some parts of the screenplay. One thing that is somewhat misunderstood is the fact that the Philippines is far from a flourishing country in Asia particularly during the advent of World War II considering that it fell under the Japanese occupation. Added to that,it somewhat fails to highlight that Quezon and the people of his government are relocated in the United States which makes them a government-in-exile. As for the film,I felt that the production design was somewhat clinical and lacking in surgical fashion as white becomes the primary color in the background to define the time of the events.

With the things that I have mentioned above,it somehow felt short of becoming a Filipino masterpiece.