
Candy
An art film by Per Arnoldi about a wide range of things with redundant, non-functional ornamentation and banal beauty: Cakes, candies, lollipops, mechanical toys, slot machines, paper hats, masks, noses, fireworks, streamers, artificial flowers, pranks, flags and much more more. It is terrific that such ornate things are produced, on top of that by machine, and add appetizing and purchase-promoting properties to them. And in terms of beauty, this very banality can be accepted as fully as anything else. (DFI)
Insights
Plot Summary
Candy, a beautiful and naive young woman, journeys through a series of increasingly bizarre and sexual encounters after leaving her wealthy, isolated father. She falls for a poet, a paraplegic count, a drug-addicted doctor, and eventually a Texas oilman. Each encounter leaves her more disillusioned and jaded, highlighting themes of exploitation and the loss of innocence in a permissive society.
Critical Reception
Candy was met with largely negative reviews from critics, who found its attempts at satire and sexual humor to be sophomoric and unsuccessful. Despite its star-studded cast, the film was criticized for its disjointed narrative and offensive tone. Audiences were also divided, with some finding it shocking or amusing, while many were put off by its explicit nature and lack of substance.
What Reviewers Say
- Often cited as a prime example of late-60s 'sex comedy' excess, lacking genuine wit or coherent storytelling.
- The film's star power couldn't salvage its shallow exploration of sexual liberation and exploitation.
- Critics found the humor to be juvenile and the overall message to be muddled and offensive.
Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be a bizarre and over-the-top experience, with some appreciating its experimental nature and daring subject matter for its time, while others found it to be tasteless and poorly executed.
Fun Fact
The film was based on the controversial 1958 novel of the same name by Terry Southern and Mason Hoffenberg, which was known for its explicit content and satirical take on counterculture.
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