Final Rating: 3.5/5
Paying For It, directed by Sook-Yin Lee, is an interesting look into an alternative form of relationships. In what feels like an exaggerated B-Plot of a Seinfeld episode, Paying For It takes a look at the life of Chester Brown (Dan Beirne) who is finished with the expectations of traditional romantic relationships. Throughout the movie, he journeys into a world of hiring prostitutes to fulfill his sexual and emotional desires. Meanwhile his recent ex-girlfriend, roommate and best friend Sonny (Emily Lê) engages in a string of romantic relationships in an attempt to find fulfillment.
It’s a very strange premise, which turns out to have a relatively straightforward plot. The movie is very slice of life, preferring to engage in an analysis of these two types of relationships, rather than provide a structured plot. While it is fun to see both types of relationship mindsets in action, the movie does meander in some ways. There are few surprises once the initial plot is set up, and the movie offers little in themes once it’s all wrapped up.
Where the movie excels, is finding humanity in this odd period in both Sonny and Chester’s lives. Throughout the many, many intimate interactions with the characters in the movie, none of them have a picture perfect Hollywood feeling. These are all very real people just trying to get through life, and find some solace in these small, intimate moments. Which then helps us take a look at our own lives, and wonder whether the various relationships we have give us what we want, or what we are supposed to want. Whether we do things out of obligation for those we love, or because we actually want to. And whether relationships requiring financial transactions are any better or worse than those that involve emotional transactions. It makes you think.
Paying For It was seen during the 2024 Vancouver International Film Festival.
