Watch Candiland

Candiland is a 2016 movie directed by Rusty Nixon and based on the novel "Candyland" by Elizabeth Engstrom. The film stars James Clayton and Chelah Horsdal in lead roles, with Gary Busey in an important supporting role. Candiland is a psychological thriller that revolves around the relationship between two former lovers, Peter and Lily, who meet after many years, and the series of events that follow their reunion.

The movie begins with Peter (James Clayton), a struggling artist, who is living a lonely life in the city after the end of his relationship with Lily (Chelah Horsdal), a woman he had loved deeply. Peter's life takes a sharp turn when he receives an unexpected message from Lily, asking him to meet her at a local bar. Peter, who is still in love with Lily and longs for her, agrees to meet her.

When Peter meets Lily after all the years, he is immediately surprised by the striking changes in her personality, which are marked by apparent spiritual fulfillment, financial success, and artistic accomplishment. As the night progresses, the two old flames begin to open up about their lives and reminisce about the past. However, the tension between them begins to rise as they both come to terms with their differences and secrets. Lily reveals to Peter that she is now in a dominant-submissive relationship with her artistic mentor, Candy (Gary Busey), who has sexual control over her, which alienates Peter further from her.

As the night proceeds, Lily reveals more about her recent achievements and the people in her life while Peter finds himself getting drunk and losing his grip on reality. The movie starts to get eerie as it becomes evident that Peter is seeing hallucinations, and his fixation on Lily pushes him over the edge. The movie takes the audience on a ride through the psychological breakdown of Peter, who reaches a breaking point towards the end.

Candiland deals with some adult themes that may be uncomfortable at times for sensitive viewers, as it engages with a complex dynamics of psychology, sexual politics, and identity issues. The movie exposes the underside of romantic relationships, sexual fantasies, and the search for control and power that can develop between lovers. The movie's world is grey and grimy, and the atmosphere is dusty and grim, which sets an appropriate tone for the events that unfold.

James Clayton delivers a nuanced performance as Peter, a man grappling with emotions, frustrations, and the harshness of reality. Chelah Horsdal plays Lily, a woman who is confident, assertive, and aloof, to perfection. She sells the idea of a woman at odds with her own sexuality and the turmoil that it can bring. Gary Busey steals the show as Candy, the eccentric and sinister artist with a profound influence over Lily. Busey's charisma is on full display, and his performance deserves a lot of credit for the film's success.

The movie's pacing is steady, but slow, which might put off some viewers who are looking for a more fast-paced thriller. However, the slow-burning pace is necessary for the film to build up the tension and suspense. The movie's cinematography is minimalistic, with the emphasis on character rather than the surroundings. The movie's score is haunting and adds to the movie's mood.

Overall, Candiland is a fantastic movie that is equal parts unsettling, suspenseful, and thought-provoking. The movie is not for everyone, but if you are a fan of psychological thrillers that push the boundaries, Candiland is a must-watch.

Candiland is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.1.