Film Review: ‘Sour Candy’ directed by Mar Pawlowsky
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Mar Pawlowsky’s “Sour Candy” premiered at the PÖFF SHORTS 2023 competition during the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, earning a respectable rating of 3 out of 5.
The narrative unfolds around Roc and Sara, orchestrating their encounter through a dating app. Despite prior discussions about their intentions, both characters grapple with a palpable blend of nervousness and uncertainty as they confront the societal pressure to shed their virginity. Opting for an evocative setting—an abandoned farm on the city outskirts—Roc and Sara embark on a cinematic journey symbolizing the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
Roc, portrayed as an apprehensive youth, engages in a subtle dialogue reflecting his scholarly demeanor, evident in his studious appearance with black-framed glasses. Sara, introduced with an alluring presence, adds an enigmatic quality as meaningful dialogue eludes the encounter, heightening the tension with her sole inquiry, “Shall we?”
The visual metaphor of a blue inflatable mattress, held by Roc, underscores his lack of both mental and physical maturity, marking him as a virgin. Conversely, for Sara, the mattress becomes an intermediary symbolizing Roc’s path to maturity, as she seeks her own growth through intimate connection.
Dialogue between the characters reveals their initial connection through an online dating app, uniting over a shared objective—to relinquish their virginity.
The film provocatively poses fundamental questions: Does maturity hinge solely on physical experiences? How does one attain mental maturity, and why is the intersection of maturity and virginity loss pivotal for these adolescents?
The revelation of Roc’s falsehood regarding his sexual experience introduces an additional layer, unraveling the film’s exploration of identity acceptance, particularly in the realm of sexual orientation.
As Roc and Sara navigate the intricacies of intimacy, Roc’s bashful demeanor and aversion to eye contact suggest an internal struggle, driven in part by the fear of being perceived as homosexual and a hesitance to confront this aspect of his identity.
A shared realization surfaces as both characters acknowledge the act fails to deliver the anticipated pleasure. Unwilling to hastily discard their teenage years, a playful interlude involving sour candy prompts a whimsical chase through a field, reigniting the laughter and joy reminiscent of childhood. This pivotal moment underscores the narrative’s poignant message—urging the characters to savor their youth and resist the hastening into a phase for which they are ill-prepared.
In conclusion, “Sour Candy” delicately explores themes of sexual identity, acceptance, and the profound significance of embracing the arduous journey into maturity. While falling short of cinematic greatness, the film’s nuanced treatment of these themes renders it a thought-provoking and worthwhile cinematic experience.
