⭑⭑/⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Summary: I tried my best to enjoy this film since I fit the demographic, but I lost interest in its promising titular characters when the plot was weighed down by a screenplay that often felt mediocre, undercooked, and too reliant on asking the audience to suspend their disbelief.
Becky & Badette, a 2023 Filipino comedy by Jun Lana, promised a laugh riot with a dash of social commentary. Starring comedic titans Eugene Domingo and Pokwang as Becky and Badette, lifelong best friends who concoct a fabricated story for instant fame, the film had all the makings of a crowd-pleaser. Unfortunately, it sputters, fizzles out, and leaves a lingering sense of unfulfilled potential.
Despite belonging to the target demographic, I found myself quickly losing interest in the promising central characters. The screenplay, riddled with mediocrity, felt like a retread of well-worn comedic tropes. The plot relied heavily on unbelievable scenarios that demanded the audience suspend their disbelief to an unrealistic degree. The humor, instead of offering witty freshness, descended into tired tropes and groan-worthy puns like "Pepe Feniz" – a play on genitalia that felt cringe-inducingly obvious.
Becky & Badette stumbles further by failing to capitalize on its potentially explosive themes. The film brushes against issues like queerbaiting and cancel culture. These are topics ripe for comedic exploration, but the film squanders a chance for sharp social commentary by leaving them as mere whispers.
Similarly, the film attempts to incorporate "camp," a comedic style known for over-the-top acting and exaggeration. However, Becky & Badette lacks the finesse to pull it off. The overacting feels forced and in-your-face and misses the mark on true camp, which often relies on a subtle wink towards the audience. As a huge fan of Jun Lana's previous work, especially the groundbreaking Die Beautiful, I'm deeply disappointed to find that Becky & Badette feels like a significant step back. The film lacks the same originality and boldness that made Lana a standout and relies instead on familiar comedic crutches.
While there are sporadic moments of amusement in Becky & Badette, they are fleeting and fail to sustain a consistent level of humor. The overall comedic tone feels uninspired, and it is especially evident in the protagonists' repeated attempts to reenact characters from Vilma Santos' films. This recurring theme, although intended to be humorous, feels overused and lacks originality. It ultimately diminishes the impact of these scenes and contributes to the film's struggle to deliver fresh comedic content.
Becky & Badette had the potential to be both hilarious and thought-provoking. Unfortunately, its reliance on tired jokes, underdeveloped themes, and repetitive references was disheartening. It's a missed opportunity that fails to live up to its comedic powerhouses, Domingo and Pokwang, who deserved a better script that would truly maximize their talents.
Photo Credit: The IdeaFirst Company