One special thing I noticed from the trailer of ‘Expensive Candy’
Have you watched the new talk of the town, Expensive Candy’s official trailer? Expensive Candy delves into the sex work industry. It stars Julia Barretto who takes the role of Candy, a sex worker. Meanwhile, Carlo Aquino portrays a virgin school teacher.
He falls in love the moment he becomes her client. However, both face conflicts regarding the nature of her job and his social status. The upcoming film is written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, known for his 100 Tula para kay Stella, The Day After Valentine’s, and Just a Stranger.
As I watched the trailer, I got hooked by its interesting plot. Because the movie brings out a taboo subject in our country, the sex work industry. Then, I noticed one special thing about the trailer – its similarity to the 2004 Mike Nichols film, Closer. This, of course, includes the visuals and storyline.
Noticing the similarities between Expensive Candy and Closer
Persona as a stripper
Julia Barretto wears a green, short bob wig with bangs and a skimpy one-piece outfit in the Expensive Candy. She wears this as she continues working as a stripper in a club. This mirrors the persona of Natalie Portman in Closer, having the same job in London. The iconic look of Portman in the said film is a pink, short bob wig with bangs. She wore a revealing outfit too.
The MPDG Trope
Both female protagonists of Expensive Candy and Closer embody the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope in films. A female character who acts whimsical and quirky to serve as inspiration or savior of a lone guy protagonist away from his brooding life.
Julia Barretto fits the MPDG trope as she seemingly portrays a lively woman who looks positively in life. She will aid the transformation of Carlo Aquino who doesn’t have a sexual experience.
Meanwhile, at the beginning of Closer, Natalie Portman has red pixie hair and an outgoing personality. She intrigues the male protagonist, Jude Law, an obituary writer. Portman tries very hard on acting as MPDG to change Law who cheats on her.
Similarities in Storyline
Carlo Aquino quickly says “I love you” to Julia Barretto when he becomes her client. Meanwhile, the latter seduces him as seen in the movie trailer. His usage of the line is somewhat similar to the scene of Clive Owen in Closer, the other male protagonist. Owen also utters the line to Natalie Portman, seemingly out of the blue while acting as a client in the club.
On the other hand, Barretto tells Aquino in Expensive Candy that she will always work as a stripper. She seeks a comfortable lifestyle and wants to earn money easily. This reflects the storyline of Portman in Closer on why she settles on working in a strip club for a living, too.
While the trailer of Expensive Candy doesn’t reveal the whole plot, we have seen a glimpse of its storyline. From the things I have pointed out, Closer is surely a close inspiration for this upcoming film. But, as a matter of fact, there is no new concept in the film industry. Just a requirement to add twists on concepts is needed for it to be different.
