The eighties--- The nation is in the throes of an economic depression. Banks are closing. Companies are folding up. There is a high rate of inflation. Mello (Ronaldo Valdez) is among those laid off. His company had to close due to the high cost of imported chemicals and the scarcity of dollars. His supervisor, Nato (Jess Ramos), transfers to a newly incorporated company and promises to get him once it gets on its feet. He receives a separation pay of Pl50,000 --- a substantial amount which he invests in a financial scheme upon recommendation of his close friend, Rick (Menggie Cobarrubias). Unfortunately, the Chinese president of the financial institution decides to abscond with the money.
The news hits Mello’s family hard. They have to dispose of some of their luxuries. They sell their car and move from their Merville home to a small apartment. Mello finds that he has to borrow money from his family and friends. He refuses to allow his wife, Emma (Pilar Pilapil), to work, but, given their financial situation, he has no choice but to swallow his pride.
Emma works for a friend, Connie, in a travel agency. Her job is to take care of tourists --- which her husband frowns on as it might lead to infidelity. She is critical of her husband’s machismo mentality which has kept her in the house. Their new status also affects the children. Dino’s (Aga Muhlach) girlfriend, Sandra (Janice de Belen), has her own family problems and lately has been cool to him. One day, he sees her hitching a ride in the car of Benjie Cortez. Dino takes this as a signal for their breakup.
Dino now has to work. He is a waiter at Jollibee. One night, Sandra and Benjie have a snack at the fastfood restaurant. Benjie is condescending; Sandra feels guilty.
Some nights later, Sandra waits outside the restaurant to talk to him. She has been calling him up but since he moved, she had no way of getting in touch. She apologizes for her behavior. Her mother, who works in Singapore, is about to be married to an Englishman.
Dino’s sister, Cynthia (Emily Loren), is often scolded for her lack of interest in schoolwork. She prefers to pay attention to her boyfriend, Jimbo (Tani Cinco). One day, she asks him to set up house but he turns her down.
Mello cannot get a job. He finally listens to his friend, Charlie (Tom Olivar), who tells him that he could find work in Saudi Arabia. His application is arranged by Charlie’s friend, Nanding. With Mello gone, Emma finds it difficult to make ends meet. Mello’s remittances don’t come on time, if they come at all. She tries to pawn her jewelry to Charlie, who gladly gives her money for the upkeep of the house.
One night, in Emma’s moment of weakness, he clutches her cheek with the most loving touch. Cynthia comes home late and sees the parked jeep. She sees Charlie leave her mother’s room. She takes this as a cue to be out of her mother’s moral authority. The following day, she is full of contempt for her.
There is another temptation for Emma. She is being courted by Willy Ledesma (Charlie Davao), a married man. He takes her out for lunches and sends her roses. He always asks if she still loves her husband--- a question which she doesn’t answer. But after her affair with Charlie, it is easy to succumb to Willy’s advances. The two begin to see each other regularly.
Cynthia now comes home very late. Sometimes she gets off cars of middle-aged men. She is away for several days without informing anyone in the house. Emma confronts her but her daughter is fiill of accusations. She leaves the house and shacks up with an older man.
Dino still doesn’t understand why his sister is so petulant towards her mother. One night, he sees her in a hotel with Willy. Dino is unbelieving.
Mello finally returns after his frustrations in the desert. He is being given a job in Cebu. He tries to bring Cynthia back to the fold but she is pregnant. He senses a strain in the marriage as Emma refuses to join him in Cebu.
One day he pretends to take his plane. Instead, he tails Emma’s taxi to the hotel. He acts
as a repairman and finds Emma with Willy. Emma runs after him but she is given a thundering slap. The two continue their argument in the house.
Emma hits him on his double standard, stating that he has affairs too. As the two are squabbling, Dino comes down with his bags. Mello thinks he is joining him but he announces that he was leaving the family.
Dino is now with Sandra. Uncertainty lies ahead for him. Is he going to college? How will he survive?
(Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times)
"Napakasakit, Kuya Eddie" (1986)
Special People Productions
Release Date March 20, 1986
Story and Screenplay Jose Javier Reyes
Film Editor Ruben natividad
Production Design Edel Templonuevo
Cinematography Pedro Manding
Theme song sung by Roel Cortez
Composed by Jerico Rimas, WEA Records
Musical Director Homer Flores
Produced by Boy C. De Guia
Direction Lino Brocka
Cast Pilar Pilapil, Ronaldo Valdez, Emily Loren, together with Janice de Belen and Aga Muhlach/ Also Starring Mona Lisa, Dexter Doria, Koko Trinidad, Tani Cinco, Tom Olivar/ Guests- Charlie Davao and Tessie Tomas
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