Expensive Candy: Sex Work is Work

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Expensive Candy_Movie Poster.jpg
I will love you only in a dream, because in my dreams I control what happens; image source: Viva Films FB Page


There are three reasons why I decided to give this movie a watch: 1.) a dear friend recommended this to me, 2.) I'm really curious about the life of a sex worker and 3.) Julia Barretto. This is the first time that I'm doing a movie review so forgive me if I'm not quite doing this right. I have so many feelings for this movie that I decided to make a post about it here on Hive to hopefully convince you to go and give it a watch, or not, I can't really tell you what to do. There are spoilers ahead so continue reading at your own risk.

Storyline

The story revolves around a 30-year-old history schoolteacher named Toto and a sex worker named Candy. Toto, played by Carlo Aquino, was being poked fun at for being a girlfriend-less virgin. This was the opening of the trailer of the film, which you can go watch here. In Toto's defense, he had no interest in dating because he couldn't afford it. Being the eldest child and a schoolteacher here in the Philippines meant that most of his already meager salary will go to his immediate family. He spent most of his time making dolls as this kept him entertained and preoccupied. His mom wanted him to date around so he can find a life partner. She gave her 500PhP (8.47USD) to take a girl to dinner.

He went out alright, but he chanced upon the "Area" which was like a little red light district near his place. At first, he had no interest to trade his money for a few minutes of pleasure until he saw Candy who he fell in love with at first sight. Candy, Julia Barretto's character, was the hottest and most expensive girl in the Area. Upon hearing that Toto was 200PhP (8.47USD) short of her service fee, she compromised since the business was kind of slow during that time.

Toto, after going back and forth with himself, decided to lose his virginity to Candy and it opened a whole new world for the guy. He was head-over-heels for Candy and it inspired him to look for ways to make money to book more nights with her.

Candy_First Scene.jpg
In my two years of working here, you're the only one who's greeted me "Good evening." image source: Viva Films FB Page


Candy was clearly in it for the money, but she couldn't help but feel that Toto's feelings for her are sincere. She decided to go see him after her shift and the two bonded over dinner and a late night walk.

Toto Ice Candy.jpg
Aren't your earnings as a teacher enough? image source: Viva Films FB Page


Toto knew that in order to afford a night with Candy, he had to look for other sources of income. He began to make ice candy and sell them to his students. He broke his piggy bank and he began to ask his mom for more cut from his pay. He also resorted to other means of making money like making his student's theses and asking his estranged dad for financial support. The crazy things we do for love, right? Perhaps the most desperate move that he did was to go into an agreement with his students to let them pass his subject in exchange for money.

Candy and Toto_Club Scene.jpg
If you weren't like that, what would you have been? image source: Viva Films FB Page


He had to go to great lengths now because Candy was already working at a club. So the rate to take her out has gotten higher. Toto worked his ass off just so he can afford to book Candy for a night.

Candy_Bar Scene.jpg
You know where to find me, and the price! image source: Viva Films FB Page


Hotel.jpg
Someone's got a big budget today, are you spending it wisely? image source: Viva Films FB Page


Candy knew her worth, she knew she was good at the job, so she wasn't afraid to ask for her price. There had been a proposal to ask for her hand in marriage but that didn't end well for her. Toto found out about what happened and he decided to go save her and live with her.

His mother didn't approve so he and Candy lived on their own. They were earning from a decent means but life was still hard and Toto got fired from his teaching job.

Toto.jpg
It's so expensive to love you image source: Viva Films FB Page

His mother didn't approve so he and Candy lived on their own. They were earning from a decent means but life was still hard and Toto got fired from his teaching job.

New Life 2.jpg
We're still adjusting, give it time; image source: Viva Films FB Page

At first, they were in it together, they went through hardships together but Candy grew tired. She said that she vowed to not be poor ever again and she went back to taking clients. Toto noticed that she was able to afford fancy things again and he confronted her about it.

New Life.jpg
You're the only one who can sleep with me for free, you're special; image source: Viva Films FB Page

Candy told Toto that when he met her, she was already a sex worker and that he was special because he got to go sleep with Candy for free. Toto couldn't believe what he was hearing. He wanted Candy to himself. In the end, they made a decision to go their separate ways.

Production

Expensive Candy.jpg
In my dreams, all of the odds are for us that's why I don't want to wake up; image source: Viva Films FB Page


The cinematography was just amazing for this film - the lighting, the editing, and the sets were close to realistic. It felt like the film took me to the Philippine red light district. Casting Carlo Aquino and Julia Barretto for this film was the winning card for me. They had undeniable chemistry and they both acted so well. I have to hand it to Julia Barretto for getting so good at her craft. The nuisances of being a sex worker, the moves, the confidence, she was able to deliver those in this role. I couldn't take my eyes off her, she was the aesthetic of this film. The movie was rated by MTRCB as R-13, it had sexual references, but the scenes were not sexually-revealing.

Final Thoughts

If my friend were up to it, I would've discussed this film for hours on end. I owe it to my pole dancing background to have high respect for sex workers because I know that what they're doing is not easy. I have curious questions that I want to ask them and I was hoping I could get my answers through this film. I liked that the film talked about the socio-economic conditions of the characters and how working your ass off may not be the ticket to get out of it. Teachers and sex workers aren't paid enough, and this was filmed during the time when a dollar was still worth 50PhP. It's now at 59PhP :(

The movie started to fall short for me when it adopted the point of view of Toto and not Candy's. Toto fell in love, but he wasn't able to fully accept Candy as who she was. She kept telling Toto that sex work was what she loved doing and that she was good at it, but Toto found that too hard to live with. The film could've preserved the respect that is due to that line of work. Sex work is still work. Had the film kept this respect intact, I would've rated it a 4.5/5. For now, I give it a 3/5.

Props to the Philippine cinema for coming up with films like these. I would like to see more of Julia Barretto's mature roles and Carlo Aquino's acting prowess after seeing this film. Expensive Candy provided a fresh take on romance and poverty.


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The Gaillery

She is on a mission to become better than who she was yesterday. A candidate for Masters in Business Administration and a Financial Advisor, she hopes to give value to this space as a motivated individual. She found the perfect marriage between what she wants to do in life and her mission in financial advising. She balances her work and life in the comforts of her home, co-working spaces, and cafes. She loves to meet like-minded people and live her life to the fullest. Watch this space for tales of self-improvement and self-acceptance, per Mark Manson, "the philosophical tightrope."

Being in the crypto blogging space since 2018, she believes that the community is the greatest asset of any crypto-based project. So far, the Hive Community is her favorite.

If you like her content, don't forget to upvote and leave a comment and reblog if you can! She appreciates all forms of love!



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9 comments
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I am interested in exploring Filipino cinema. I don't remember what films I have seen from your country. The actress is the niece of Rocio Durcal, a famous Spanish singer. I have seen the trailer, there are some scenes that remind me of a soap opera from my country. I will look for it to watch it.

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Yes! Maybe you're talking about an old film because Philippine cinema during those times were greatly influenced by Spanish soap operas 😊 Thanks for giving my blog a visit 😊

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I'm not really Into Philippine movies but must confess the story line captured me. I've seen a couple of movies where people fall in love but with a sex worker nah I'm yet to see that.
I've been in Toto's position not about falling in love with a sex worker but being in love with someone that drove me literally crazy,I could do anything for her.
Nevertheless I realized changing people is not as easy a we all think and I figured people like what they can't have. Toto having an agreement with her at the end was the best decision for him although it hurts but it sure is.
Yeah I have to call out the writer for giving us a spoiler on the movie, you probably left no stone unturned.
The pictures used were related and awesome I've got to say that.

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Wahaha! I did a disclaimer before I spoiled everything! Hahaha

But anyway, love is such a tricky little thing. It makes you do things that you otherwise won't do had you not been infected by the love bug. But alas, it makes the world go round. Without it, life would be no fun.

Thanks for reading my blog. Have a good day in Hive!

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You're welcome and thanks for the vote

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Dear @thegaillery,
May I ask you to review and support the Dev Marketing Proposal (https://peakd.com/me/proposals/232) we presented on Conference Day 1 at HiveFest?
The campaign aims to onboard new application developers to grow our ecosystem. If you missed the presentation, you can watch it on YouTube.
You cast your vote for the proposal on Peakd, Ecency, Hive.blog or using HiveSigner.

Thank you!

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Done!

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Thank you for your support @thegaillery, really appreciate it! 👍

Without imposing, may I also ask you to support the Hivebuzz proposal? It is struggling to stay above the HBD Stabilizer proposal and needs help.
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