Love on a Budget (2023)

Love goes beyond materialistic desires and possessions.

'Third World Romance' is not the typical romantic movie we’ve seen before. Everything about it is the complete opposite of the usual romance clichés. Through the lens of a romantic story, this film tackles important social issues that are prevalent in our society today. It doesn't shy away from portraying the harsh realities of poverty and the class gap, shedding light on the struggles faced by many individuals in the lower socio-economic group. By weaving these themes into a love story, focusing on the simplicity of nurturing love through small acts of kindness, understanding, and compassion, it also effectively brings attention to these pressing issues in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

Apart from the love story between Bree and Alvin and the struggles they go through, this film also portrayed a healthy non-conformity to the traditional Filipino family. Alvin lives with his chosen family, consisting of his transwoman father and siblings who have diverse sexual orientation and gender identity. Credit to the director for showcasing queer family representation.

The outstanding portrayals by Charlie Dizon and Carlo Aquino maintain the authenticity of their characters' struggles while also conveying a sense of happiness in their love story. The only flaw about them is that, despite being a real-life couple, their chemistry on screen seems lacking. Their companionship feels more platonic than sweet. But Charlie Dizon did an excellent job here. She's remarkable at giving the character so much depth through her expressions. Her character is relatable and human, making the audience empathize with her journey throughout the film.

Overall, this movie is well-crafted and well-acted. It will make us take a moment to ponder and see beyond the love story and appreciate the deeper messages that it conveys. In a world where materialism reigns supreme, it is easy to fall into the trap of believing that wealth is the key to happiness and fulfillment. But this film simply shows that love goes beyond materialistic desires and possessions.

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A beautiful love story.

Third World Romance is a medium-paced slice of life with a happy ending. The movie tells the reality of living in a country with a broken system through the glasses of Britney and Alvin. It shows the unfairness they have to go through, the discomfort they have to bear, and the hard decisions they make to survive.

The movie has a lot of romantic and heartwarming moments. I often felt warmth surging, even when Britney and Alvin shared simple moments, such as making their version of the Korean BBQ experience with homemade food. The excellent performance by the cast made their love believable. Their chemistry is superb, and they brought the couple's love alive. It felt real and raw. The relationship takes time to grow, so it doesn't feel forced.

The movie is well-written and has good dialogue that criticises the broken system, society's expectations for women, and many more. The topics flow naturally in the dialogue and don't sound preachy. Therefore, you can understand everyone's train of thought and relate to their struggles. Additionally, the couple shows character growth, which makes the ending satisfying.

There's nothing I particularly dislike about this movie, but I wonder if things would have been different if Britney knew Alvin pretended to be Sir Dodong in the beginning. The movie said nothing about this, but I guess it's not that important.

Overall, Third World Romance is easily a beautiful and recommendable movie. I added it to my list of comfort movies. It will remind me that no matter how hard life drags me down, everything will work out in the end.

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