Finger Licking

Becky (Eugene Domingo) and Badette (Pokwang) are two women in their forties, who work as janitors in a colorful girl office. They share a unit above a loud gay bar. They were best friends back in school and both were promising artists: Becky was a singer and composer while Badette was fun and a great actress. As trust issues and memory loss surface, a shocking revelation of a gruesome family secret unfolds. Finger Licking is a 2024 horror film directed by Demetrio Deterville. The story follows Jahmir, an adult seeking to overcome childhood trauma, who opens up to psychologist Dana, sharing details of horrific past encounters.

They had a crush on Pepe Feniz (Romnick Sarmenta), the heartthrob of the school who went to movies with both but never told them who he loved best. Sadly, school turned out different for the three- Becky and Badette’s economics couldn’t pursue them and so together with the fierce and influential Nirvana (Agot Isidro), they became a low-class society. Their hopes are quite vivid though: Becky has a knack for catchy songs and is working on “Finger Licking’” based on the fried chicken she sells as a side project while Badette is aspiring to land a decent movie role.

Out of nowhere, Nirvana shows up, without a single invitation, and Nikki, a character, makes a reappearance in the story, (This means…) it seems to bring along an invitation card to the high school reunion after getting lost amid the narrative in the previous page! That would be a nice event they want to have a colorful dress code and a trophy for everyone. Becky and Badette were not interested in it but in the end, they hated the thought of being ridiculed by their more successful and wealthier now alumni and were not even planning on attending, but after some indecision, they agree to a gay-themed party, thanks to the flamboyant costumes made by their queer neighbors. Not surprisingly, the rest of the guests were coming in stuffy formal black and white clothes and all this along with their superior Nirvana were also waiting for them, and spurred them Even more to make sure they were well and truly plastered.

Unsurprisingly Becky and Badette end up nose-deep in a bottle, they tend to hit it off towards the end of the party, imagine getting on a mic with Vilma Santos songs on repeat as the backdrop confessing your love for her in front of a crowd. Which comes off as spontaneous and for that matter, unimaginable with an unusual ending, which many would consider for a coming out.

Perci Intalan is the producer of “Becky & Badette” who filmed the sweet comedy romance “I Love You Becksman” which tackles lesbian stereotypes. This, and many other narratives weaved into the plot of “Becky and Badette” suggest that it is even more complicated Please don’t tell me hags’ sisters done. For many heroines, it becomes a great motivation to hate. Besides, the look of Hollywood was thoroughly bitter. To see stuff engraved in various films was sweet, it is a better comment on films. Intalan has made a good film. Most of the gay chic embraced “Becky & Badette” out of desperation to merge its way into fashion. A film where lies are the only motivation my protagonists have finds its parallel in Isabel Allende’s Ines of My Soul.

Nonetheless, Lana’s keen insight goes further; ‘Becky & Badette’ escalates these stereotypes by transforming two working girls and losers into a wildly successful public lesbian couple. Unfortunately, this notion is completely ridiculous, and this is the ironic part that Lana is trying to illustrate. By flipping it into a lesbian power narrative, Lana makes fun of one of the Filipino’s most adored entertainment industry na mga format, the love stories on screen, which are a product of the country’s voyeuristic obsession with romance. The ‘total clowning-ness’ of pretending to be in a gay relationship just to be accepted, appreciated, and recognized as the main comical focus in “Becky & Badette”.

The dynamic of the relationship between the two lead characters of the film is remarkable as it showcases the ability of chemistry between two individuals to incorporate humor and tenderness with a very mild touch of mischief which is indeed the greatest selling point of the film. Seeing a variety of different facial expressions from Domingo alongside Pockwang’s stereotypical deadpan makes the comic styling of the film stand out in a different way as opposed to being farcical. Furthermore, chemistry gets inherited along with different characters too while the trio feature in Lana’s other 2023 work “Ten Little Mistresses”.

Filipino actors featuring in cameos include director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, musician Ice Seguerra, singer Moira Dela Torre, and most notably Christian Bables, who stars as Moira’s covert assistant and makes fun of Becky in a very demeaning manner. Bright colors paired with extravagant costumes and makeup seen alongside great dance mangas such as “Finggah Lickin,” and “Working Girl” serve as a contrast to the film’s narrative. The production of the film serves the overall theme of the film.

In closing, “Becky & Badette” is a blend of humor with a satire that tackles stereotypes and racial prejudice in the form of a grand exhibition show.

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