Caregiver is a 2008 Filipino medical-drama film. The film stars Filipina actress Sharon Cuneta portraying the role of Sarah, a mother who left her son in the Philippines and also a teacher who relinquished her profession in lieu of care giving in London, in hopes of augmenting her salary. Chito S. Roño directed the film and Chris Martinez wrote its screenplay.
It is one of the top-grossing Filipino movies of the year. The film also receives mostly positive reviews from critics.
Production
The film is based on real-life stories of Filipino caregivers abroad. Director Roño searched for stories of their lives abroad and personally talked to some who shared their experiences. Roño has friends who work as caregivers; their real-life scenarios were directly depicted in the film.
Eighty percent of the film was shot in Littlehampton, West Sussex in three straight weeks. Shots in Littlehampton include the snow scene, upon many others. The cast includes British actors namely; Saul Reichlin, Matthew Rutherford, and Claire Jeater.
The rest of the film was shot in Roosevelt College Rodriguez. The scenes here include the part where Sarah was still studying as a caregiver student.
Plot Summary
Sarah (Sharon Cuneta), a grade school English teacher, joins the 150,000 Pinoy OFWs working in the United Kingdom to support her husband, Teddy (John Estrada), in making a better living for their family. More than just a chronicle of the Filipinos' experience working as nurses and caregivers in the UK, this story also charts Sarah's journey to self-discovery – from a submissive wife who makes sacrifices to make way for her Teddy's aspirations to an empowered woman who finds dignity and pride in a humbling job as a caregiver in London.
The story begins as Sarah says goodbye to her familiar world. After finishing an arduous course in caregiving, she bids farewell to the Grade 5 classroom, where she teaches English. She buys a winter coat for her son Paulo and promises that he would use it once she can afford to take him to London. In typical Pinoy fashion, she shares tearful goodbyes with her whole family at the airport when she finally leaves for the United Kingdom.
Finally, Sarah arrives in London. At their small flat, she and Teddy share a passionate reunion. With a honeymoon mood, he takes her to the beautiful sights in London. While window-shopping at a famous mall, Sarah meets Sean (Makisig Morales), a spunky Filipino boy, as she catches him trying to shoplift chocolate bars.
After that fleeting period of excitement, she experiences the hard challenges every Filipino caregivers face every day: the icy weather, the dirty work, the difficult patients.
Meanwhile, Teddy also struggles with the daily grind in the hospital as he works.
Despite the difficulties of adjusting to London life, however, Sarah faithfully stands by her Teddy. She tries to make the most of the situation by giving her best in her work, and in this way, earns the respect of Mr. Morgan, his wealthy old ward. However, Teddy is oblivious to her success, as he is absorbed in his own problems with work. Sarah finds solace in her friendship with Mr. Morgan and his son David, who seems to appreciate her more than Teddy does, and with little Sean, who somehow eases her longing for her own son.
Tensions rise between Sarah and Teddy as the stress of London life takes its toll on their marriage. Because of the mounting conflicts both at work and home, Teddy decides to give up. He tells Sarah that they are going back to the Philippines.
Sarah finds it very hard to accept Teddy's decision. She knows that staying in London is the best thing for their family, because returning to the Philippines would only mean going back to the same problems they had before. Will Sarah choose to remain by Teddy's side to keep her family intact? Or will she find the strength to stay in London to continue seeking a better life for her son, even if it means losing her marriage?
The movie ended showing Sarah in a park in London, after Teddy went back to the Philippines.