Coming-of-age stories are always fun to watch especially if they mirror experiences we’ve all gone through.

Thop Nazareno’s Edward is captivating simply because it’s a story we can all relate to because it’s set here. Unlike Boyhood or Lady Bird, there’s a sense of a little disconnect they are not like us; their experiences vaguely resemble ours.

Edward, on the other hand, can literally be any one of us.

It deals with something prevalent in our culture: patriarchy and the invisible bonds that tie each and everyone of us to it. There’s probably no one who can’t relate to the plight of our young protagonist.

Edward (Louise Abuel) is a young lad who spends his days running around the halls of a public hospital–running errands for nurses or simply goofing around with his buddy (Elijah Canlas). He’s everywhere except the place he needs to be: beside his estranged father (Dido Dela Paz) who’s clearly suffering from something similar to tuberculosis. The reason: he just doesn’t care about his dad.

One day he meets a girl, Agnes (Ella Cruz), whom he develops a strong affection for. Naturally, it turns to puppy love and that sets off a series of personality and emotional changes in the young boy.

Propelled mostly by external plot elements, the story takes us on a fun journey as Edward slowly transforms into a less reckless lad and more compassionate son.

Abuel portrayed Edward with such charm and believability, his struggles become yours–even when he doesn’t want to pay attention to them. He was under an enormously stressful situation and because he’s a kid, who doesn’t really care for his dad. He pours all his time and effort being compassionate to everyone else.

Until he is forced to face his issues. It’s good how the script made the turn of events easily digestible amid the many things happening on the side. Edward is not just coming to terms with his daddy problems, he is also adjusting to being in love and developing a more matured sense of compassion for others–while still being young and reckless. And when the movie reaches its climax, it’s easy to understand the reasons behind Edward’s actions.

It’s supposed to be heavy, I believe. The premise alone is too devastating and when you put a young boy in the middle of it all, it becomes more heart-breaking. And then there are the struggles of the sick and their families. The awful situations presented by Nazareno as embellishments in the tapestry he’s trying to weave are very very sad. Yet, they don’t feel like a statement; they are more like a reminder.

But despite all these–and that gut-wrenching ending–the movie has this bright cheery feel to it thanks to the young lead star’s infectious charm.