BetCin (2021)

Huge potential, poor execution and disappointing ending

Let me preface this by saying this was one of my most anticipated dramas of 2021. From the trailer, it looked like we were finally getting a good sapphic love story with an actual, intriguing plot. I was so, so wrong.

The story revolves around Beth and Cindy, an online couple with thousands of followers. They seem to be the perfect couple in their fans, the Umamis, eyes. But unbeknownst to others, every thing they post is a facade of what they want other to see, with one cheating and the other exploiting their relationship for likes/subscribers. When Beth finally snaps and demands they call it quits so she can move in with the person's she's been cheating with, Cindy reluctantly agrees. Right before they can announce their breakup, fate sends them a message that could change everything. They could earn millions — only if they can convince others they are head-over-heels in love, and therefore deserving of the cash prize in a relationship goals contest.

They only have to pretend for 10 days to achieve this. What could go wrong? A lot, as this drama properly showcased. What could've possibly gone right? A lot, as this drama didn't showcase at all.

This was one of the most toxic relationships I've seen in a series. There wasn't a single moment in the show where I wished they'd end up together. All I wanted to do was put them on opposite sides of the Earth and wish they never interacted with each other again. Cindy was extremely manipulative and never really expressed remorse for her actions. Making bad decisions without thinking was Beth's strong point, as she proved continuously over the span of 8 episodes. At the penultimate episode, there was a small glimmer of hope — maybe they were about to do right thing for once. But the ending completely crushed my hopes. It felt unsatisfying and abrupt. In a way, it also filled me with dread. Every lesson they had learnt was suddenly un-learnt. There was no point in this drama at all.

They tried to distract us from the weak plot and irritating characters with a dash of humour every now and then. Unfortunately, it didn't work. I didn't really notice the music in the show because I was too busy seething with rage. Rewatch value is 1.0 only because MDL doesn't allow a lower rating than that. I wouldn't touch this drama again with a 10-foot pole.

Read More

Breaking up is hard to do...

What do you get when you take a narcissistic social media addict and pair her with a spineless gal who has an affair and tries to break up with her?

A whole bunch of guilt tripping, tricks and some oddly entertaining plots and personalities... The execution is not really good, but they do have their absurdly funny moments. Making you go WTF? They are both fun, lovable, flat and not very lovable at the same time. There is more or less 0 character development and it is more of a laugh at and come on kind of entertaining then relationship goals type of drama (as it was probably was intended), It does however show duality in trying to let go and difficulty moving on whole heartedly after a long and toxic relationship. That part was actually done pretty well...

The high score is more of a this is rare, and oddly entertaining kind of high score not a oooh this is good go watch it... That said it is good enough so for the sake of supporting some GL, you may just want to give it a view.

Read More

I’ve never felt so alone reading comments on a film!TT

I've never felt so lonely reading the comments on a film! It seems like everyone is criticizing it, while I truly believe it’s one of the best GL series out there. Here’s why I loved it:

• Amazing Performances: The leading characters were played so well! Their acting felt so real—you could really feel their sadness and joy, their laughter and tears, and the pressure they faced in their relationship. The chemistry they shared, both before and after their breakup, was incredible.

• Realistic storyline: At first, I found myself judging one of the girls as the reason for their breakup. But by the end of the series, it became clear that both characters had flaws, and most of their problems came from miscommunication and misunderstanding. It really reflected real-life situations where sometimes there’s no clear blame.

• Fresh themes: The show tackled some unique topics, such as how coming out online can impact a couple's real-life relationship? Why shouldn’t we always trust everything they share? and (most importantly, perhaps) what might lead THEM to hide the truth from us?! It also explored the complex and difficult process of breaking up, which is often overlooked in LGBT films that usually focus on the struggles of finding love.

• Not Toxic or Homophobic (as some say!): Lastly, I didn’t find it toxic or homophobic at all, despite what some said in the comments. It seems like some viewers expect couples to either be perfect and stay together forever or be a complete disaster and break up right away! But relationships are usually WAY MORE COMPLICATED than that, and this series shows that complexity in a fun and engaging way;)

I just wish more people would give it a chance. This deserves much more appreciation.

Read More

Maior decepção

"Já olhou para alguém e pensou: o que se passa na cabeça dele?" Essa é minha sensação vendo alguns roteiros filipinos que não fazem o menor sentido.
Como na época que esse GL saiu eu ainda não tinha visto GL's filipinos bons, e percebi que a produção desse aparentemente era melhor que os anteriores, fiquei animada, apenas para me decepcionar a partir do primeiro EP. Até agora estou tentando entender qual a lição que essa série nos deixa... Vc será traído de qualquer forma? Apenas traia e deixe seu par depois de planejar todo o futuro com outra pessoa? A vida é assim mesmo e devemos seguir em frente? Quando perceber que está perdendo seu par envolva-o em algum estratagema escondendo os detalhes de que ele não poderá sair de perto de vc pelos próximos 30 anos? Meu Deus! Essa série é problemática em tantos níveis que é difícil enumerar.

Vamos começar pelo roteiro, não tem pé nem cabeça! Nada faz sentido, vc termina a série e não entende a mensagem que ela pretendia transmitir. As duas protagonistas tem personalidades muito diferentes. Enquanto Beth é alguém racional, centrada, Cindy é fútil e vive para agradar os fãs da internet. É notória a falta de respeito entre as duas... Cindy vive num mundo à parte, e acaba não percebendo os anseios de Beth, e de forma egoísta, apenas a leva junto de suas ideias. Beth, conhecendo o jeito de Cindy, poderia ter tido uma conversa bem séria, com vistas a tentar mudar o comportamento dela, mas ao primeiro sinal de problemas, ela, que foi a pessoa a convidar Cindy para sua vida, simplesmente a traiu, pelo que eu entendi o caso dela durou muito tempo, e ela só tomou iniciativa pela pressão da amante. Uma postura lamentável...
Não vou bancar a puritana, a amante errou, Beth errou, Cindy errou, mas pq tantas mentiras??? E pq arrastar essas mentiras por tanto tempo? Enfim, me deu nojo.

A atitude de Cindy ante o fim do relacionamento foi infantil, e talvez o concurso tenha sido um ato de vingança, já que ela sabia das condições e não explicou a Beth, de forma deliberada, pois se ela sabia e mesmo assim incentivou Beth alegando que ela poderia ser feliz com sua nova mulher, fica claro que ela estava mentindo, e não tiro a razão dela, eu faria pior.

Outro ponto, em determinado momento é possível perceber que Beth não tem tanta certeza sobre seus sentimentos, então, achei injusto esse final praticamente aberto, sem decisões, sem conclusões.

Achei que alguns assuntos interessantes foram abordados, como Cindy sair do armário para sua família. A Filipinas é o único país católico da Ásia, e sua mãe foi de um respeito surreal, quando disse que já sabia, mas aguardou pacientemente sua filha se abrir por vontade própria. Foi lindo! Da mesma forma, senti falta da família de Beth, assim como o final da amante, que ninguém sabe o que fez.

A série também aborda outro ponto. Nem tudo que vemos na internet é real! E os fãs acabam por interferir de forma negativa na vida dos ídolos, pois se esses fazem algo que desagrade, são apedrejados, como se tivessem obrigação de ser apenas o que os fãs aceitam.

Enfim, série mediana (mais para ruim). Aspectos técnicos apenas razoáveis. Eu não pretendo ver de novo. Se gosta de séries sem sentido, fique à vontade.

Read More