On the Job | |
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Theatrical poster for the Philippine release
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Directed by | Erik Matti |
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Starring | |
Music by | Erwin Romulo |
Cinematography | Francis Ricardo Buhay III |
Edited by | Jay Halili |
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Release date
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Running time
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120 minutes |
Country | Philippines |
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Box office | ₱13,459,037 (Philippines) $164,620 (US) |
On the Job (abbreviated as OTJ) is a 2013 Filipino crime thriller film directed by Erik Matti, and written by Matti and Michiko Yamamoto. The film stars Piolo Pascual as Attorney Francis Coronel, Jr., Gerald Anderson as Daniel Benitez, Joel Torre as Mario "Tatang" Maghari, and Joey Marquez as Sergeant Joaquin Acosta. The film was screened and had a world premiere in the Directors' Fortnight at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. The film is a co-production of Star Cinema and Reality Entertainment as part of Star Cinema's 20th year anniversary presentation.
In the Philippines, corrupt politicians and police cause abundant crime and poverty. Hitmen Mario and Daniel murder a man named Tiu. The two are prisoners who are regularly released from prison to perform hits for their boss Thelma in exchange for money. Mario uses his money to support his daughter's law school tuition and estranged wife Lolet. Daniel, the younger and more reckless partner, sends some of his money home and spends the rest on goods and privileges in prison. Daniel has come to see Mario as a mentor and father figure. After the hit of Tiu, they are sent back to prison. Tiu's murder case is assigned to NBI Agent Coronel through Congressman Manrique, who is Coronel's father-in-law. Coronel's father, also a policeman, died amid rumors of corruption. When Coronel and his partner, Bernabe, arrive at the local precinct, Sgt. Acosta, a 20-year veteran who feels the case was taken from him for political reasons, resists them.
Mario and Daniel are released and kill a woman named Linda. Upon hearing of his wife's murder, Linda's husband, Pol, immediately calls Acosta. Acosta reveals that Tiu's murder is just one of several murders ordered by General Pacheco, a high-ranking military officer who is running for the Senate, and a close friend of Manrique's. Pacheco runs a murder-for-hire operation using prisoners, killing anyone else involved to protect his campaign. Acosta agrees to protect Pol and heads to the station. While Coronel and Bernabe confront Acosta, Daniel shoots Pol, but his gun jams before he can deliver the fatal shot. The three officers converge on them, forcing Daniel and Mario to flee. At a hospital, Daniel creates a distraction and allows Mario to kill Pol. The two split up and flee. Coronel and Bernabe chase Daniel, and Acosta goes after Mario. As the two escape, Bernabe is shot and Mario sprains his ankle; Acosta relays Mario's face to the police, which unknowingly stuns Mario's family.