Sugar Babies

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source: Sugar Babies

This film was made in 2015. Dating rich men because they need money? Really? So even if this was made prior to #Metoo why is it still airing. Just because the men seem nice and are handsome and not that old doesn't mean it's a theme you want your daughter watching.

I thought this movie was good. The background music made it sound like a hallmark movie so that made me laugh. And there was a plot twist that came out of nowhere when one of the sugar daddies just dies. But I enjoyed it.

A life time movie you say? Well it was on Prime so I gave it a look. But I do agree with one of the other reviewers (at least, I haven't read all the reviews)! Predictable and melodramatic as expected I reckon. And very PG too, if that is something you care about (or rather like to avoid? Choice is yours). I personally don't understand why it has to be "babies" and not babes. Babies is not something I consider when I would describe something admirable, in a relationship kind of way, but that is me I guess. And this tries to get something out of something slightly scandalous I reckon. Don't get your hopes up though ... strictly business it is ...

In this film, the relationships depicted in a college escort service were not made credible for a single moment. Yet the cast deserves credit for creating a set of interesting characters and for keeping the pace flowing in this film in desperate search of a message. It appeared as though the filmmakers wanted to depict the college escort girls as becoming addicted to the swanky lifestyle while hanging out at the Sky House and connecting with wealthy older gentlemen. But this thesis was never demonstrated because the relationships were all too wholesome. It was especially the connection of the business major Rochelle to old Saul, a CEO and a moneybags, that was essentially no more than an executive assistant, as Rochelle was given important tasks to perform that gave her invaluable experience in the business world. Appropriately, she received a letter of recommendation from Saul for study in a prestigious MBA program. Their relationship was non-physical until Rochelle pressed the matter and ol' Saul dropped dead of a heart attack on a hotel bed! The relationship of Sasha with Ken actually culminates in marriage. Even Tessa, who has a falling out with Leo because he goes bankrupt, continues as an escort after she moves to New York City. Contrary to the intent of the filmmakers, the experience of SugarBabies came across as glamorous and lucrative with the young women never in danger of being exploited. Even for the protagonist, art history major Katie, her attraction to James seemed like a fairly conventional relationship until he vanishes from the scene. But Katie obviously holds a special place in his heart, as apparent in his guilt when she returns the $7,000 he advanced her for an internship in Florence. If there is any real villain in the film, it is the current exorbitant costs of a college education, where Katie racks up over $700 in textbook expenses on her first day at school. One can truly see why Rochelle, Tessa, Sasha, and Katie are desperate to going into a staggering debt before they graduate. A central reference point in the film was the recurring image of a Renaissance painting of a Venetian courtesan. The Renaissance courtesans were actually urbane and talented women, who could hold enlightened conversations as well as conduct shrewd business transactions. Whether intentional or not, the filmmakers were creating a fictionalized version of a group of modern courtesans that obviously do not exist at Montlake University or anywhere else on the planet today.

So the theme is bunch of college sl-ts who sleep around with sugar daddies. Does not take introvert good girl Katie to foolishly fall for a young sugar daddy! She becomes a sugar baby. She breaks her parents' hearts. The only smart one with self dignity is Saul's red haired sugar baby. Why does Hollywood promote this theme?!

You know what made this movie so good? With subject matter that we deal with here, one would think that there would have been violence, but in a refreshing turn, there is no violence here, and the only really tense scene is the death of Saul, an elderly gentleman, who dies while in bad with one of the companions. A very good film dealing with how a young girl in college is drawn into this club and the guy that she falls for, a wealthy English gentleman, helps her out financially, but of course she always has to be ready to be with him when he needs his fulfillment of companionship. This is true for the other girls. It's a story of what a group of girls go through until many realize that they also need true love in their lives. A sad commentary on American life and what some women will resort to in order to fulfill financial obligations. These girls had goals in life that they believed would be enhanced by these men. At least, as well, there are no drugs or shots being fired.

This is "Babysitter's Black Book" in a college setting instead of high school, with only a slightly different plot device to drive it along. Tiera Skovbye is super attractive, so it's worth watching just for her. Other than that, don't expect anything great. It's a Lifetime movie. They all follow a formula, so you should know what to expect.

Katie Woods (Alyson Stoner) from a poor family starts college. She is befriended by simple college guy Sean and aspiring model classmate Tessa Bouillette (Tiera Skovbye) with rich tastes. Tessa and her boyfriend Leo Granger introduce her to rich James. Tessa has signed up all her friends onto an internet sugar daddy service. Her other friend Rochelle Cranston is a business major recruited to date widower business tycoon Saul Williams and makes it clear that she's looking at him only as a mentor. Katie is given an opportunity to study abroad but she has no way to cover the cost other than to ask James for the money. This is a limited Lifetime movie. The girls are mostly fine but Stoner lacks the sexiness compared to the other girls. She is good as an awkward innocent but is different from a beautiful innocent. The subject matter is dark but the movie doesn't go dark enough. In fact, most of the movie has a strangely light touch. It's one way to tackle this material but it's not the most compelling.