Afam (2023) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
“Afam” (2023) is a Vivamax original film directed by Linnet Zurbano that presents itself as a sexy comedy but fails to deliver on almost every front. Released on May 5, 2023, the movie attempts to blend humor and romance within the context of two Filipina women trying to improve their lives by seeking relationships with foreign men, also known as “AFAM” (a colloquial term in the Philippines referring to “A Foreigner Assigned in Manila”). Unfortunately, the film suffers from poor acting, a weak script, and an overall lack of coherence, making it one of the most disappointing releases of the year.
Plot Summary
The story revolves around two best friends, Hazel Grace Cunanan (Jela Cuenca) and Daisy Mae Labra (Robb Guinto), who work at the Bukang Liwayway resort under the strict supervision of their boss, played by Giselle Sanchez. Both women find themselves at a crossroads when their respective romantic relationships fall apart. Hazel’s policeman boyfriend, Rex (Roi Alonte), ends their relationship due to the challenges of a long-distance romance, while Daisy discovers that her co-worker boyfriend, Nonoy (PJ Rosario), has been cheating on her with resort guests.
Feeling heartbroken and disillusioned with love, Hazel and Daisy are inspired by their old friend Melba (Katya Santos), who has transformed herself into Madame Mirabella Vaghina after marrying a wealthy Italian man. Convinced that finding a foreign boyfriend is the key to escaping poverty, Hazel and Daisy both start online relationships with American men—Hazel with JJ and Daisy with Jamey. The twist comes when they discover that they are both dating the same man, played by Nico Locco. Rather than breaking off the relationships, the two friends decide to compete for his affections, leading to a series of increasingly absurd and desperate antics.
Performances and Direction
The performances in “Afam” leave much to be desired. Despite having demonstrated their acting abilities in previous projects, Jela Cuenca and Robb Guinto are reduced to playing caricatures of their characters. Their portrayals of Hazel and Daisy are loud, exaggerated, and lack the emotional depth needed to make the audience care about their fates. Instead of genuine chemistry, the film is filled with forced interactions and over-the-top expressions that fail to resonate.
Nico Locco, cast as the charming but deceitful American, delivers a performance that is bland and uninspired. His character is meant to be the catalyst for the film’s central conflict, but his lack of charisma and depth makes it hard to believe that Hazel and Daisy would go to such lengths to win his approval.
Director Linnet Zurbano, in her feature-length debut, struggles to find a cohesive tone for the film. The direction feels inconsistent, with scenes that range from overly bright and awkwardly shot to dark and confusing. The comedic timing is off, and the script, written by Cyril Ramos, fails to provide any meaningful or witty dialogue. Instead, the film is filled with crass jokes, nonsensical scenes, and a storyline that quickly devolves into chaos.
Script and Themes
“Afam” is plagued by a poorly written script that feels more like a first draft than a polished screenplay. The dialogue is clunky, repetitive, and often nonsensical. The film’s attempt at comedy falls flat, with jokes that are not only unfunny but also demeaning and offensive. The portrayal of Filipina women as desperate, gold-digging opportunists is problematic, reducing the characters to mere stereotypes without any consideration for the nuances of their situations.
The film also fails to explore the complexities of the central theme—Filipinas seeking relationships with foreigners as a means of escaping poverty. Instead of offering a thoughtful critique or even a satirical take on the issue, “Afam” resorts to slapstick humor and over-sexualized scenes that serve no purpose other than to fulfill the typical Vivamax formula of softcore titillation.
Cinematography and Technical Aspects
Technically, “Afam” is a mess. The cinematography is inconsistent, with some scenes appearing overly bright while others are too dark. The editing is choppy, with transitions that feel jarring and out of place. The film’s score does little to enhance the viewing experience, often feeling disconnected from the action on screen.
One of the film’s most glaring issues is the overuse of sex scenes, which are poorly simulated and lack any sense of passion or authenticity. Despite being directed by a woman, the film caters almost entirely to the male gaze, with gratuitous shots that exploit the female characters rather than developing their stories.
Where to Watch “Afam” Online
For those curious enough to watch “Afam,” the film is available exclusively on Vivamax, a popular streaming service in the Philippines known for its adult-oriented content. Vivamax can be accessed through a subscription, and for viewers in the United States, it may require using a VPN service to bypass regional restrictions.
Additionally, it’s possible that “Afam” could become available on other platforms as a rental or purchase option, such as Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, or Apple iTunes, especially for those outside the Philippines. However, given the film’s reception, it may not be worth seeking out unless you have a particular interest in the genre.
Conclusion
“Afam” (2023) is a film that falls short in nearly every aspect. With a weak script, poor performances, and lackluster direction, it fails to provide any meaningful commentary on its subject matter or deliver the comedy it promises. The film’s treatment of its characters and themes is troubling, reducing complex issues to crude jokes and over-the-top scenarios.
For viewers looking for quality entertainment, “Afam” is a film to skip. While it may have a certain appeal for those who enjoy Vivamax’s particular brand of content, it offers little in terms of substance or artistry. The movie is ultimately a forgettable entry in the annals of Filipino cinema, one that even its most ardent supporters will struggle to defend.
As always, if you choose to watch, make sure to do so through legitimate channels to support the creators and the industry.
