dend

Is anyone not ready?

Aff or neg? I’d say no one was ready for what was about to happen between two rival academic achievers. Especially those who have tons of arguments that I could not personally follow through with. What can I even expect from someone who speaks 400 words per minute? 

The movie, Candy Jar (2018) directed by Ben Shelton, is a comedy and romance film that showcases two high school academic achiever debaters who learn to compromise and work together despite being on each other’s toes. Candy Jar captivates you with its witty conversations and the intense rivalry between Bennett and Lona, starred by Sami Gayle and Jacob Latimore.

It is a film wherein Bennett Russell and Lona Skinner are two extremely competitive debaters. Although they come from different backgrounds, they are both motivated by the same goal of attending an Ivy League university. Their intense competition is what gives the movie a lot of its initial drive. Their guidance counselor who sees their potential and thinks that working together might bring out the best in them, encourages them to work together despite their dislike for one another, and they begin to share deeper personal struggles and concerns that they both have. But as the story progresses, it becomes evident that “Candy Jar” is about more than simply getting into college and winning debates. It goes more deeply into the lives of the characters, exposing the pressures from their families, personal challenges, and high standards for themselves. Through this journey, they gradually get to understand one another better, turning their rivalry into a support system where they can now rely on each other.

The Candy Jar film was set in a high school environment in an unnamed city. The scenes in the film are mostly done in the debate room, the characters’ houses, and the guidance room. In the poster, the two characters are inside the debate room where they usually spend their time practicing their speeches and arguments with one another. One can see the difference in the facial expressions of these two. Bennett is slightly smirking as he may find his rival, Lona, rather amusing or one can also see that he may be challenging her. While Lona gives off an expression in which she is unpleased. From the poster, you can already tell they are competing with one another based on the colors that Bennett and Lona are wearing, which are blue and red. Blue and red are two opposite colors. Blue is usually associated with tranquility, intellect, and stability. In the contrary, red is associated with aggression, passion, vigor, and even danger. It often provokes strong emotional responses and is associated with traits that are aggressive or competitive.

The written codes in the film are the subtitles which consistently match well with the dialogues of the characters in the film. This helps the viewers to follow and understand the plot without having to replay the scene. There was also another way in order to present the lines of the characters especially when they are in debate. It has been shown a lot in the debate scenes wherein they speak fast. What the production did is genius as they put the speech as a background and highlight word per word what the characters say. They speak really fast and having this element helps the viewers in order to understand or know at least the context of their debate motion. 

As for the technical code, it is the camera work in the film. I will be talking about mainly two camera shots, close-ups and wide shots. Close-ups are usually used in the characters’ heated debates. The shifts of the close-up shots between Bennett and Lona truly capture the clashing of ideas the two characters have. It focuses on the characters’ expressions which helps draw the viewers to the intense exchange of arguments in their debates. Wide shots are used to distinguish the place where it is set. Specifically in the scenes set in high school, the characters’ houses, the theatre, and the guidance room. It focuses on highlighting the many settings that influence the characters’ lives and ambitions while also offering context and contrast. The wide shots are also used for sentimental and wholesome moments wherein it is refreshing to see the main characters not fighting each other.

The film initially portrayed Bennett and Lona’s relationships as two rival debaters. In terms of personality traits, Lona is portrayed as someone who is disciplined and fiercely passionate about winning. She is someone who strictly follows a routine to keep her body and mind organized and in the zone. Coming from a family with only a single mother thriving to support her has played a huge role in shaping her to who she was from the start of the film. Her perception of success and intense motivation have led her to achieve her own definition of a better future. Meanwhile for Bennett, who comes from a more privileged family, is portrayed as being as ambitious. Because they have different approaches but the same goals, he and Lona frequently argue. Despite Bennett having the privileges, he also has his own struggles–pressure and expectations that comes from his mother. Pressure and expectations. Yale and Harvard. Triumph and success. Things the two main characters share the same goals and sentiments. Throughout the story, they have improved individually and as teammates. The difference between the first time they worked together on team debates and the second time they worked together was immense. Their first was full of bickering and disagreements. But to now, they are getting along, compromising, and sharing their fondness for sweets. From the last competition wherein Lona believed that speaking slowly and having an anecdote was not helpful at all and would give the opposing team a win into actually doing the exact same thing in the state competition. When they lost, they both accepted defeat. Lona and Bennett both had realizations about their opponents’ speeches. We are not robots. They may have realized that their entire life, they have been preparing for 18 years even though they are not legal to drink and all. Although they did not win, it is something to be proud of as well. It was their chance to speak based on their feelings and not based on facts. Losing does not mean it is the end of the world. It is a pause. A rest. For one to actually realize what they need to look through again, what they should have done and should not do. Another is that it could also mean that it is not yet their time for them to win. Or just maybe that winning the state championship was not really the only way for them to achieve their dreams.

As a senior high school student myself, I can also resonate with the main characters in the film. College is another milestone achieved and the door opened for new adventures and opportunities. The expectations and pressure you have and the people around you will be there, one way or another.  It is really pressuring to get into your dream college and course but the film is also a reminder to not be afraid to be vulnerable. There will be times when one can always be tough. There will be times to have breakdowns. This experience will help you get to know yourself more and motivate you to stand back up from any setback that will eventually come your way. The film ‘Candy Jar’ has taught me to not be afraid to reach out to others. It is not only you fighting for your dreams, but those who care for you and your future as well.