7 sundays movie review tagalog

Hanapan ang Blog na Ito

Pagsusuri sa pelikulang pilipino.

• Kunin ang link
• Iba Pang App

SEVEN SUNDAYS

Pagganap ng mga tauhan

Main cast edit.

• Aga Muhlach as Allan Bonifacio
• Dingdong Dantes as Bryan "Bry" Bonifacio
• Cristine Reyes as Charity "Cha" Bonifacio
• Enrique Gil as Dexter "Dex" / "Baby D" Bonifacio
• Ronaldo Valdez as Capt. Manuel Bonifacio.
• Donita Rose as Bechay Bonifacio
• Kyle Echarri as Marc Bonifacio
• Kean Cipriano as Jerry
• Kakai Bautista as Baby
• Ketchup Eusebio as Jun
• Jeffrey Tam as Mr. Kim
• April Matienzo as Camille
• Kin Billote as Kath
• Angelica Cruz as Leila
• Angelee Cruz as Sofia
• Gabriel Iribagon as Zac
• Alyanna Angeles as Yna
• Menggie Cobarriubias as Dr. Nelson
• Cameo Appearances Edit
• Iza Calzado as Juliana Smith
• Edward Barber as Gian Smith
• Ryan Bang as Mr. Kim

Seven Sundays

Mga Komento

Ano ang layon at gamit ng salita(tanyag ng mga linya o kataga na may kaugnayan sa tema o pinapahayag ng tauhan sa pangyayari)?

Mag-post ng isang Komento

• Videos Videos
• Local News Local News
• Foreign News Foreign News
• Kuwentong Kakaiba Kuwentong Kakaiba
• Cabinet Files Cabinet Files
• PEP Troika PEP Troika
• Labandera Chronicles Labandera Chronicles
• Arts and Culture Arts and Culture
• Movies Movies
• Music Music
• Television Television
• Beauty Beauty
• Fashion Fashion
• Parenting Parenting
• Health & Fitness Health & Fitness
• Travel Travel
• Celebrations Celebrations
• Lifestyle Lifestyle
• Extraordinary Extraordinary
• Peptionary Peptionary
• Headliner Headliner
• Promo Codes Promo Codes
• Anong Chika Today? Anong Chika Today?
• PEP Outtakes PEP Outtakes
• About Us About Us
• Terms of Use Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy Privacy Policy
• Sitemap Sitemap

NPC Seal of Registration

PEP.ph has been granted the NPC Seal of Registration in recognition of the successful registration of its DPO and DPS

REVIEW: Seven Sundays features strong performances from its lead actors

Star Cinema's family drama Seven Sundays is hardly original in subject matter and treatment, but it is bound to resonate with moviegoers.

Anybody who has suffered estrangement from family will find himself drawn to this movie directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina.

Aging barangay captain Manuel Bonifacio (Ronaldo Valdez) is told on his birthday that he is suffering from lung cancer and has only seven weeks to live, prompting his four adult children to make room in their busy lives so their father can spend his remaining Sundays with them.

In these supposed last weeks of togetherness, the family members awkwardly and painstakingly try to create a semblance of normalcy, but unresolved issues and hidden trouble threaten to shatter their already fragile dynamics. Enrique Gil, Cristine Reyes, Dingdong Dantes, and Aga Muhlach bring life to the Bonifacio siblings who try to reconnect with each other amidst this family crisis.

THE GOOD. As with most family dramas, Seven Sundays centers on a dysfunctional family, which makes the plot all too predictable.

In an effort to perhaps differentiate itself, the story unfolds in a way that tugs at ones’ heartstrings.

It succeeds, thanks largely to the fantastic acting and the script’s reflection of universal family issues as well as those that are unique to Filipino families such as parental absence due to overseas work.

Star Cinema assembled a powerhouse cast that meshes so well, it feels like a real model for a not-so-normal family.

Ronaldo Valdez plays Manuel with substance, befitting a father trying to assert his authority while attempting to get his estranged children to spend more time with him in his twilight years. Even when it all blows up in his face, he keeps a delicate balance between parental pride and regret.

Matching him in terms of screen presence are Aga Muhlach as Allan, the eldest of his children, and Dingdong Dantes as Brian, the more successful second child. Aga has finally surrendered to roles that capitalize more on his acting ability rather than good looks, disappearing behind the character of a middle-aged father struggling to provide for his family while secretly jealous of his younger brother’s success.

Dingdong delivers an earnest performance as a well-meaning but under-appreciated family member struggling to prove his worth to his family.

Cristine Reyes, meanwhile, sheds her sexy image for her role as middle child Cha, who hides her personal troubles for fear of rebuke.

Enrique Gil, as the younger son Dex, is adorable as he feigns indifference, touching the hearts of moviegoers with his fragility. This film features strong performances from the cast members, but they can only do so much when the story falls into the trap of conventional dramas.

THE BAD. Seven Sundays falters because of the perpetual need to wrap things up cleanly and amicably in an effort to reinforce moral values or provide an emotional cleansing for the audience.

However, doing so leaves the film with a clumsy ending, undoing the skillful unfurling of its dramatic sequences.

There is a dance showdown in the end, which is hilarious but is farcical at its best and is entirely unnecessary. THE WORTHY. Still, the film gets a breath of fresh air from its male leads, who throw more drama than the women.

For a change, men here are portrayed as sensitive family members, unlike your typical indifferent brother or son more often seen in other family drama films.

See Seven Sundays with your siblings if you dare—you just might find yourself in the shoes of one if its characters. Seven Sundays is graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board.

Ed's Note: The "PEP Review" section carries the views of individual reviewers, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the PEP editorial team.

Featured Searches:

• Maine Mendoza-Arjo Atayde
• AlDub breakup
• Catriona Gray
• Assunta De Rossi
• Encantadia 2005 Sang’gres
• Rhian Ramos in New York
• Coco Martin Instagram

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on PEP.ph. By continued use, you agree to our privacy policy and accept our use of such cookies. Find out more here .

Malayang Lakambini

What is life without a little risk

Seven Sundays: A movie review

My brother asked me to make a movie review for “Seven Sundays” a film by Cathy Garcia-Molina. It’s actually not a timely review. But since it’s one of my favorite family movie, I’ll be posting this anyways. The review is written in Tagalog. 

SEVEN SUNDAYS

Mula kina Popoy at Basha ng “One More Chance”, Cali at Gio ng “My Ex and Why’s”, at  Kenji at Athena ng “She’s Dating the Gangster”. Paulit-ulit tayong sinaktan, pinaluha at muling pinaniwala sa pag-ibig ni Cathy Garcia-Molina sa bawat pelikulang kanyang ginawa. Mula sa mga tumatak ng linya ng mga karakter hanggang sa mga makabasag pusong eksena sa bawat pelikula nya. Eton a ata ang nagging tatak ni Direk Cathy sa ating mga Pilipino. Ngunit muli tayong pinaluha at pinangiti ni Direk sa kanyang pelikulang “Seven Sundays” na taliwas sa mga nakagawian nating pelikula nya.  Tumatalakay ito sa relasyon ng magkakapatid sa kanilang Ama at relasyon nila sa isa’t isa.

Kapwa abala sa kanikanilang buhay ang magkakapatid na Bonifacio kaya hindi na nila nadadalw ang kanilang ama na ginampanan ni Ronaldo Valdez. Ngunit nagkasama-sama ulit ang apat na magkakapatid ng malaman nilang malapit ng mamatay ang kanilang ama dahil sa sakit nitong kanser. Napagdesisyunan nilang magkita-kita tuwing lingo para mapagbigyan ang hiling ng kanilang ama at para mapasaya na rin ito. Sa muli nilang pagsasama sa ay mauungat ang ilang nakaraang hidwaan at hindi pagkakaunawaan . Nasasalamin ditto ang iba’t iang mukha ng magkkapatid. Si Allan na ginampanan ni Agah Mulach ang panganay sa magkakapatid. Bilang panganay ay sa kanya iniwan ang negosyo. BIlang isa padre de pamilia sa kanyang sariling pamilya ay may mga pagkakataon na nagigipit sa pananalapi si Allan. Ngunit bilang panganay sa magkakapatid ay ayaw nyang humingi ng tulong sa mga kapatid nya. Lalo na kay Bryan na ginbampanan naman ni Dingdong Dantes. Isang successful businessmen at walang pamilya. Trabaho, trabaho, trabaho. Yan ang pagkakakilala nila sa kapatid nilang si Bryan. Siya rin ang pinaka nakakaangat sa buhay sa kanilang magkakapatid. Si Cha na ginampanan ni Christie Reyes ang nagiisang babae sa kanilang magkakapatid. May sarili na ring pamilya si Cha ngunit lingid sa kaalaman ng kanyang mga kapatid ay matagal na silang may problema ng kanyang asawa na ginampanan ni Kean Cipriano. Alam niyang may ibang babae ang asawa niya pero hindi nya ito magawang hiwalayan dahil sa kanilang mga anak. At ang bunso na si Dex na ginampanan ni Enrique Gil. Lumaki syang madalas mag-isa mula ng mamatay ang kanilang ina. At dahil nga sa layo ng edad niya sa mga kapatid ay nagkaroon siya ng distansya sa mga ito.

Ang dapat masaya nilang reunion ang magiging masakit dahil sa pagkakaungkat ng mga nakaraang hinanakit sa isa’t isa. Mga Sama ng loob na hindi magawang sabihin noon. Sa bawat linggong nagkikita-kita sila ang lalong lumalalim ang mga hidwaan at sakit na nararamdaman para sa isa’t isa. Pero sa huli, silang magkakapatid din ang magtutulungan at magdadamayan.

Magaling ang pagkakalinya ng mga karakter sa kwento at ang mga gumanap na artista. Lalong nabigyan ng buhay ang kwento dahil sa galling na ipinakita ng mga gumanap. Mapapansin na mula sa iba’t ibang henerasyon ang mga gumanap na artista. Pero dahil ditto ay mas lalong nabigyan ng kulay at puso ang bawat karakter na ginampanan nila.

Makabagbag damdamin. Nakakaiyak. Ito ang tipo ng pelikula na gugustuhin mong umuwi sa bahay niyo at maramdaman ulit ang saya ng pagkakaroon ng pamilya. Tagos sa puso ang bawat tagpo at bawat linya. Dinagdagan pa ng kantang “Batang bat aka pa” ang lungkiot at saying mararamdaman mo habang pinapanuod ang pelikulang ito. KAhit ang mga lugar na pinili para sa bawat eksena at patok na patok sa kwento. Simple pero may kwento.

Pasok sa panlasa ng mga Pilipino ang ganitong klase ng pelikula. Tungkol sa pamilya, pagpapatawad at pagmamahal. Ipinapaalala nito ang kahalagahan ng pammilya na kahit anong mangyari, andiyan ang pamilya mo para sumuporta sayo sa lahat ng pagkakataon.

Share this:

Published by M A R Y A

Makata at Manunulat Isang lakambining pilit lumalaya sa mgarehas na binuo ng tadhana at ng sarili niyang luha. View all posts by M A R Y A

Leave a comment Cancel reply

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

About the Blogger

Author social links.

• The Manila Feed
• Entertainment

Full width home advertisement

Post page advertisement [top], seven sundays movie review.

No comments:

Post a comment, bottom ad [post page], advertisement, this just in, life and style, most popular.

• ' href='http://www.youtube.com/c/SceneZone' target='_blank' title=' '>
• ' href='https://twitter.com/themanilafeed' target='_blank' title=' '>
• ' href='https://www.facebook.com/chard.mark' target='_blank' title=' '>
• ' href='https://www.instagram.com/themanilafeed/' target='_blank' title=' '>

Latest Happening

Contact form.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Seven Sundays

The Bonifacio siblings reunite when they learn that their father has been diagnosed with cancer. In the process, they must deal with their unresolved issues before it's too late. The Bonifacio siblings reunite when they learn that their father has been diagnosed with cancer. In the process, they must deal with their unresolved issues before it's too late. The Bonifacio siblings reunite when they learn that their father has been diagnosed with cancer. In the process, they must deal with their unresolved issues before it's too late.

• Cathy Garcia-Sampana
• Vanessa R. Valdez
• Roumella Monge
• Kiko Abrillo
• Ronaldo Valdez
• Aga Muhlach
• Dingdong Dantes
• 8 User reviews
• 4 wins & 21 nominations

Top cast 17

• Manuel Bonifacio

• Allan Bonifacio

• Bryan Bonifacio

• Dexter Bonifacio

• Cha Bonifacio

• Bechay Bonifacio

• Marc Bonifacio

• Juliana Smith

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

User reviews 8

• kengkoythegreat
• Oct 23, 2019
• How long is Seven Sundays? Powered by Alexa
• October 27, 2017 (United States)
• Philippines
• Star Cinema
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 8 minutes

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Agosto 09, 2024

• Tanka Testament
• August 09, 2024
• Gospel Germs
• August 08, 2024

Agosto 08, 2024

A Perfectly Imperfect Family: Film Review on Seven Sundays

A PERFECTLY IMPERFECT FAMILY FILM REVIEW ON SEVEN SUNDAYS

By Meanne M. Mijares

SEVEN SUNDAYS

Starring Ronaldo Valdez (Manuel Bonifacio), Enrique Gil (Dex), Cristine Reyes (Cha), Dingdong Dantes (Bryan) and Aga Muhlach (Allan)

Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina

Produced by Star Cinema

I am fond of good and heartwarming stories about family-whether in book form, theatrical adaptations, musicals and films. One of my favorite past times is watching quality films and Seven Sundays is certainly one of them for it delves deeper connections that are opulently gratifying and fulfilling. I was excited because the movie trailer immediately got my attention with the all-star grouping of actors with fine histrionic chops that were gathered for this film project. No actor upstages his fellow actors in here, they had their own defining and shining moments in the film. Now that I have already seen the movie, I am giving full positive credit to the director and scriptwriter for this exceptional, intensely motivated masterpiece forming results that really made this film even more unique than it already was on a fat gray matter.

Since we Filipinos are family oriented, the story tugs right at the heart strings because it is about love in the family. It is about Manuel, a father who is dying of lung cancer and asks his four children to spend seven Sundays with him before passing on. The four Bonifacio siblings Allan, Bryan, Cha and Dex with families of their own and leading and living their own lives, come together to spend seven Sundays with their beloved patriarch and tried their best to set aside their issues and differences with each other.

But as the story went along, they were able to patch things up for real as they help support one another’s problems most especially when the father bridges the gap between Allan and Bryan to save the family store from financial breakdown and restore to the grandeur that it was to keep the legacy alive and relevant to the times. What the head of family said struck me: “Gusto kong nagtutulungan kayong magkakapatid.”

The exchange of dialogue in every scene was filled with true to life emotionally charged statements and sentiments interwoven through the various stories (or subplots) of the film’s lead protagonists.

This one said by Allan in one scene with his eldest son, Marc is my favorite:

Allan: “Kung naging mabuting kuya ako sa mga kapatid ko, hindi sana ito nangyayari.”

Marc: “Pero Dad, hindi pa naman huli para makabawi kayo sa kanila, diba?”

Allan: “Oo naman.”

We all have families, which is why the story connects and resonates very well with the movie goers. It is rich in experiences that the major characters went through and able to resolve them that somewhat inspires people that no one is alone or left behind because they have a family to back them up. In a world that is complex and broken, you have no one but God through your family. That is why God created families. He is a part of a Family, the Holy Trinity the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Virgin Mary with her spouse Saint Joseph.

The family has such power because it is bonded by love, and this is why the family accepts and forgives many times and stands through the test of time. It just came to me that maybe the film’s title is Seven Sundays, reminds me of the Lord’s answer to Saint Peter’s question on how to forgive, which is, seventy times seven times. Without it, there would be no healing. The family may be tried and tested in rough and turbulent waters but will remain strong and united as they face it together head on, game on.

Since members of the family have different quirks and personalities, it still manages to reach out to one another to co-exist peacefully and harmoniously despite being imperfect but that is what makes families special because those imperfections and frivolities are the ones that endear themselves to one another, to help, empower, respect and support each other. Sometimes we need to disconnect in order to reconnect and rebuild family ties and come out stronger because of it. The film proves this saying: Ang magkapatid, magaway at magkagalit man magkakabati at magkakampi pa rin sa bandang huli . No one can ever take that away!

The films aptly states that love is spelled as T-I-M-E. Quality time well spent with one another! One of the scenes I find very touching is that when they all headed to the beach and read letters addressed to the patriarch, those that he had not read because he was away from them at the time all tucked inside a large biscuit tin can. I like this scene a lot because it is a bonding activity that is worth doing to forge stronger family ties and connections that are gratifying. I like the balance of the use of social media here as well. Not all too far or too near.

We need not wait for a tragedy or death to happen to be united through force or love or get our act together. The best time is always N-O-W! This film will make you go hug and kiss your loved ones and say I love you to them in our own special way, every day.

What I like about this film is the “ bali ” to it. Typical of a Filipino film, I suppose. It shows that we are a happy and resilient people. Its final scene at the ABCD’s Family Store, sees a complete chunky unwieldy dance showdown between the Bonifacio family and Mr. Kim with his cohorts, made me felt uneasy and uncomfortable given the intensity of drama prior to it but I presume it is there to end the story on a positive note.

Quoting the patriarch in the film, I rate it as ALL GOOD!

November 22, 2017

November 23, 2017, related articles, pang araw-araw.

Ebanghelyo: Mt 16: 13-23*Pumunta noon si Jesus sa may dakong Cesarea ni Filipo. Tinanong niya ang kanyang mga alagad: “Ano… Read more...

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Ebanghelyo: Mt 16: 24-28At sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Kung may ibig sumunod sa akin, itakwil ang kanyang… Read more…

GOSPEL GERMS

TANKA TESTAMENTS

MARY’S MISSION

Not Just Ang Senior Life

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

FILM REVIEW

“A THOUGHT-PROVOKING MOVIE ABOUT THE POWER OF FAITH”

17th Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards

WORD CONFERENCE 2024

CCFI AWARDS

2014 Copyright. Claretian Communications Foundation Inc

Seven Sundays

Four estranged siblings are asked by their dying father to get together for seven Sundays, forcing them to confront their issues.

Rebyu: 7 rason bakit kailangan mong mapanood ang 'Seven Sundays' | ABS-CBN News

Entertainment

Rebyu: 7 rason bakit kailangan mong mapanood ang 'seven sundays'.

ADVERTISEMENT

Seven Sundays

In Theaters: October 27, 2017 (limited)

2h 8m | Drama

Seven Sundays  tells the story of the Bonifacio siblings, Allan ( Aga Muhlach ), Bryan ( Dingdong Dantes ), Cha ( Cristine Reyes ), and Dex ( Enrique Gil ), who reunite after their father ( Ronaldo Valdez ) is diagnosed with cancer and have to deal with unresolved issues among themselves in the process.

• Subscribe Now

Stars of ‘Seven Sundays’ reflect on family issues

Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

MANILA, Philippines – There are sensitive themes tied in with the film Seven Sundays : strained family relationships, a terminal illness, impending death, and imminent loss. Aga Muhlach, Dingdong Dantes, Cristine Reyes, and Enrique Gil play 4 siblings who reunite according to the wishes of their dying father, played by veteran actor Ronaldo Valdez.

During a press conference organized by Star Cinema, scriptwriters Kiko Abrillo and Jorell Gonzaga said they interviewed doctors and cancer survivors so they could provide the necessary context regarding the father’s condition. But they were quick to clarify that the story focuses more on the family’s situation rather than the sickness itself.

Director Cathy Garcia-Molina said she specifically tried not to get into too much detail regarding the father’s condition.

“This is not a movie about [the sickness]. The premise is you have a dying father, and then what do you do? So regardless of the sickness, kung ano man ‘yan – que cancer, que lung, que prostate, que ano – (whatever illness it may be, whether it involves cancer, the lungs, the prostate) it doesn’t matter,” Garcia-Molina explained.

“The point of the movie is beyond the sickness. So as much as possible, we avoided going into detail about it precisely because there could be mistakes… especially when it comes to medical terms, those that are not in layman’s terms,” she added in a mix of English and Filipino.

From the trailer alone, one gets the impression that Seven Sundays was created to touch the hearts of viewers. It also makes one wonder from where the actors drew the emotions required for heavily dramatic scenes.

Enrique credited what he assumes are pent-up emotions that didn’t surface when his father succumbed to cancer in 2008.

“Ako kasi, hindi ako iyakin. Even when my dad passed away, hindi ako nakaiyak,” he said. (I don’t cry easily. Even when my dad passed away, I didn’t cry easily.)

Enrique recalled refusing to offer a eulogy during his father’s funeral. But Seven Sundays called for his character to deliver one, and that’s when he broke down.

“For some reason during that eulogy… I just wanted to get it out of me, baka I was trying to hold it. Hindi eh, hindi ko alam. But for some reason nung nasa eulogy kami, after how many years, sumakit. Umiyak ako do’n sa eulogy,”  he said.

(For some reason during that eulogy… I just wanted to get it out of me, maybe I was trying to hold it. I don’t know. But for some reason when we were doing the eulogy scene, after how many years, I felt pain. I really cried during the eulogy.)

Like Enrique, Aga has personally dealt with the pain of losing a parent. His mother also died of cancer in 2008. But he has a more pragmatic way of dealing with grief.

“In real life, I have acceptance of death. Death, for me, is part of life. If someone goes, it’s their time,” Aga said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Referring to his mother’s death, he said: “I cried, but hindi ko dinala [‘yung sakit]… Meron akong gano’n kahit sa sarili ko. Nakahanda ako na one day, [I will die]… Sana mas mahaba [pa ‘yung buhay ko] para makita ko ‘yung mga anak ko, magsilakihan pa. But I know, if it’s my time, and when it comes… gano’n eh.”

(I cried, but I didn’t carry the pain with me. I have that mindset. I’m prepared for the time when one day, I will die… Of course I would want to live longer so I’ll be able to see my children grow up. But I know, if it’s my time, and when it comes, that’s just how it is.)

Dingdong, on the other hand, was particularly moved by the family dynamics in the story, rather than the idea of personal loss.

“More than the premise of our father dying, it’s the whole premise that here’s a family where the children are now leading their own lives. In my own family, all of us are adults already. So we’re in the process of establishing our own families, and doing this film is a form of therapy for me because I get to reflect on my own family and see their positions,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“So this may go back to the core of who I really am, to my roots. Because more than romantic love, family love is basic,” Dingdong added. “[It made me] reflect on my family’s own situation. How’s my family doing? How are they now? What have I done for them? And what else can I do moving forward to show my love for them?”

It was slightly more difficult for Cristine to do the film, as she has not personally experienced losing a loved one. She did, however, find the family issues presented in the film quite relatable.

“In terms of family issues, doon marami naman akong pinaghugutan (that’s where I drew my emotions from),” she said.

Seven Sundays opens on Wednesday, October 11. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines .

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

How does this make you feel?

Related Topics

Recommended stories, {{ item.sitename }}, {{ item.title }}.

Checking your Rappler+ subscription...

Upgrade to Rappler+ for exclusive content and unlimited access.

Why is it important to subscribe? Learn more

You are subscribed to Rappler+

• Share full article

Advertisement

The Morning

Global stock market chaos.

Monday’s tumult reflects an underlying reality: The U.S. job market is cooling.

By Ben Casselman

I cover the economy with a focus on the labor market.

Yesterday was the worst day for U.S. stocks in nearly two years. Markets around the globe fell sharply ; the S&P 500 index was down 3 percent.

Stock markets are fickle, and their movements can’t tell you much about the health of the economy. Today, the S&P 500 could fall another 3 percent — or it could erase yesterday’s losses.

But yesterday’s tumult reflects an underlying reality: The job market is cooling.

That cool-down was expected, even necessary, after a wild four years: The early pandemic brought astonishing job losses, followed by a frenetic recovery. Now, the unemployment rate, at 4.3 percent, is basically back to normal. But some recent data has alarmed economists, and it helped spark yesterday’s sell-off.

In today’s newsletter, I’ll explain.

The wild ride

Nearly 22 million workers lost their jobs after Covid struck. By April 2020, the unemployment rate — which had been at a five-decade low of 3.5 percent — jumped to nearly 15 percent. Businesses thought many of those layoffs would be temporary. They expected to reopen quickly and bring workers back.

Instead, the pandemic dragged on. By the time vaccines became widely available in early 2021, many businesses found that the employees they had let go were no longer available. Some had found other jobs, changed industries or started businesses of their own. Some didn’t yet feel safe returning to work or couldn’t find child care. Some had retired or returned to their home countries. Some had been killed or disabled by Covid.

The result was a scramble to hire from a limited pool of workers. There were soon two available jobs for every available worker.

Unfilled job openings and voluntary job quits

Job quits exclude retirements

12 millions

Private-sector wages and salaries

Change from a year earlier

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .