The Florida Project: Movie Review
"The Florida Project" is the story of White America, at the lowest common denominator. There isn't any redeeming qualities or intellectually capable pieces of dialogue, but a disturbing and often headache inducing look at the lowest class of America. The film is so set on making these characters disgusting and vile, that there isn't anything to get attached to as far as plot or character development. Other than Willem Dafoe, it's incompetent indie trash.
Relying entirely on one note, "The Florida Project" takes place during the hot summer, where 6 year old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) creates mischief with her friends around the outskirts of Disney World.
Director Sean Baker (Tangerine) uses amateur filmmaking to great pretentious lengths. It's a Kevin Smith-esque display of "anyone can pick up a camera" type filming. While it might work for some, I found it nauseating, and frustrating, and add in the piss poor display of acting by Bria Vinaite (Moonee's off the rails mother), and it's an acting disaster as well.
But it's Willem Dafoe's (Oscar Worthy) performance who truly saves the film from taking a dive off the deep end. He plays Bobby, the paternal over keeper of the hotel (attracting every low life known to man), and he's an absolute marvel to watch. But it's one scene with a lurking pedophile, that really shows off Dafoe's acting chops, and it will haunt you for days to come.
"Precious" in 2009 was a triumphant classic, showing the poverty of American life in the 80's. It gave us a thought provoking reason to care and feel bad for the characters on screen. "The Florida Project" is about American poverty, but gives us every reason to despise the characters on the screen. From the kids who spit on cars and use profanity to a dizzying degree, or the adults who are all drug addicts and prostitutes, there isn't anything to elicit a positive response towards these characters.
And when I couldn't think of it getting any worst, the last five minutes blew away my expectations. Quite possibly the worst ending of any movie ever, the "The Florida Project" is a disaster from start to finish. There are some shining moments by Dafoe's character, but I would recommend for most people to stay away, its that bad.
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