Expensive Candy: Sex Work is Work

_{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.

_{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.

_{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.

_{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.

_{You know where to find me, and the price! image source: Viva Films FB Page}

_{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.

_{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.

_{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.


_{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

_{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.

---