Pure Vanilla – Movie Review & Summary

Gabriel is a cafe owner. His small business specializes in selling homemade cakes and pastries. Gabriel has only one employee. His assistant, Charlie, works full-time and helps him around the kitchen. Together, they prepare the food and discuss new recipes. They are recently busy with creating a special menu for Valentine's Day.

Unbeknownst to Gabriel, Charlie has a secret crush on his boss. Despite describing his employer as "annoying", he also finds Gabriel pretty cute. Lately, Charlie has noticed enigmatic glances from his colleague. He wonders if that may be a sign of reciprocal feelings. However, Charlie also worries he may be overthinking their platonic relationship with his imagination.

The cafe is in the middle of a promotional campaign. Gabriel has set up several interviews with the media. Alex, one of the interviewers, arrives at the shop. Alex and Charlie are surprised to see each other since they used to be classmates. The two are excited to catch up, making plans to meet tomorrow. However, Gabriel seems bothered by their bond and reacts irritably.

Pure Vanilla consists of two parts. The first film introduces the protagonists who run a cafe. It explores their enigmatic relationship, teases the sexual tension, and ends on a cliffhanger. The sequel, Pure Vanilla: Recipe for Romance, resumes the story while adding a new rival. As the love triangle escalates, the final scene culminates in a climax and provides definite closure. The thirty minutes of combined content form a sweet, simple romance. This review will discuss both movies, treating them as one entity.

The plot is straightforward. One of the characters harbours a secret crush on a colleague. The story asks the typical questions. Does he feel the same way? Am I overthinking our friendship? Although the narrative follows a familiar trajectory, the uncertainty of the romance creates a compelling tension. It's intriguing to analyze the ambiguous signals, from observing their body language to deciphering the dialogue. Since the leads work together, their professional boundaries add another complication. There's enough material to keep you speculating about their relationship for half an hour.

Throughout the two movies, we hear Charlie and Gabriel's inner thoughts about each other. This effective storytelling technique provides intimate insights into both protagonists. Viewers can quickly understand their perspectives and empathize with them. Sometimes, the schmaltzy monologues sound like they are plucked from a sappy romance novel. Nonetheless, I respond well to beautifully lyrical lines like, "Every moment spent together is better than any experience that can follow." Pure Vanilla uses eloquent prose to capture the essence of love.

Unfortunately, the stiff acting performances undermine the writing. The leads deliver their lines like they read off a script, especially during chats. They're missing the brisk momentum and effortless spontaneity of a natural conversation. The flaw is noticeable in the second movie, which contains significantly more dialogue. Several scenes seem amateurish, like I'm listening to a school play recital. Gabriel's actor (Braven Yeo) is passable and conveys some emotions as he speaks. However, his costar (Soh Deng Xun) appears less fluid and contributes to the clunkiness.

This project comes from a small filmmaking studio, yet the production quality remains poised. I adore the dreamy visuals, displaying warm colours, soft focus, and intimate close-up shots. The cozy ambiance sets the stage for a serene love story. The first film maintains an enchanting atmosphere and emphasizes the couple's attraction. In contrast, the sequel brings a cliched love triangle and portrays Gabriel in an unflattering light. While I don't mind the storyline, this conflict disrupts the blissfulness. The romance seems less idyllic due to the relationship drama.

Gabriel and Charlie grow distant in the second film. I almost start to question whether they should be together. Maybe Alex, the rival, is the better choice. Fortunately, the last scene resolves the conflict in a meaningful way. I enjoy the couple's warm interactions enough to dismiss their earlier feud. The happy ending leaves me with fond feelings. Overall, this love story isn't complex. I can predict everything that happens. Despite its simplicity, Pure Vanilla captures a romantic spark in a sweet, delicate package. It's a cute little BL movie to invest a half hour of your time.