F#*@bois

This film was definitely difficult to watch as it very well could have been true in its time and place. It begins on a very frivolous tone that gives the viewers a baseline as to how shallow and predatory the entertainment industry is in any culture. The fact this is set in the Philippines, a country where human life is cheap and expendable, underscores the logical direction that this industry can (and does) take. The lead actors are superb in their roles and despite the tone come off as extremely sympathetic. The entire film does an excellent job of illustrating how power is abused in a society where willing participants simply look the other way when it is to their immediate benefit.

I really enjoyed this film. The storyline was intriguing enough to keep you watching (not to mention the cast was beauiful), and the acting was believable. The buildup to the climax was well paced and it should give viewers the chance to sympathise with the main characters. There is room to develop the characters to see how they came to end up in the predicament they were forced to experience. The ending leaves a lot of questions. Therefore, I hope there will be a part two.

A lengthy beginning in the midst of pageantry, young muscles, social media and hopes of fame sets us up in a frivolous world. This lightness gradually disappears as we are led in the dark depths of a corrupt system and toxic behaviours.

What's makes this movie so troubling, and successful as a work of art, is precisely the apposition of innocence, beauty, ingenuity and corruption, lust, exploitation,

A really fine work of cinema, in all its aspects (actors, photography, rhythm, cinematography, intention). As I stumbled on this movie after investigating pinoy drama I wasn't expecting something that rich and well-crafted.