'The Florida Project' Review
The Florida project – 7/10
The Florida Project focuses on the childhood of poverty, set in a motel near Disney’s Utopic land. The contrast between the deprivation of the motel and the perfection of Disney World is always present in the mind of the audience and is a main theme within the film. Sean Baker’s idea of focusing on childhood really does enlighten the tragic fate of America’s lower class.
Moonee (played by Brooklynn Prince) is the life of the film, her performance is truly amazing, and you can see that when you realise how she actually is in real life and what a transformation she made. Her character shows us that it doesn’t matter how bad or poor a child’s life is as long as their imagination and adventures are alive they can be happy. Moonee’s lines were perfectly delivered and very well written having an element of mischief that makes you love her but only to a certain extent. Halley (played by Bria Vinaite), also a new actress in Hollywood, really gives this realistic look to the film, making us feel sorry for her but also disliking her to a certain point just because of the lack of respect she has and how she passes that to her daughter.
Honestly, I think that whole cast delivered all their lines in such a hilarious manner and they all worked so well together. Their look and wardrobe just fit so well with the sets and locations. All these elements brought everything together and made it all so realistic
The best thing about this film is that it raises and talks about an actual problem about poverty in America, especially in Florida, that is filled with tourists every day but still suffers badly from the lack of a proper social welfare system. Sean Baker interprets this problem through the best way ever and that is by showing the childhood that kids are forced to have when they are in poverty. Nevertheless, Moonee shows us that you don’t need much to be happy, just ice cream and adventures. My favourite scene of the movie was definitely Moonee talking about the fallen tree, it just showed us that even though her innocence was being stripped away due to the life she had, she still could see the beauty in the simplest things.
One great things about this film is that you can’t watch it without feeling guilty and privileged, I know that is sort of bad to think about, but it makes you understand that there are many injustices in the world that need to be confronted. I know that Sean Baker does this on purpose and I believe that the best way to show society an issue is by putting it through Hollywood or the media, and Sean does this terrifically, it’s just such a shame that they are lacking on awards especially when they deserve it.
Maybe this is just my European side coming out a bit too much but I love that it shows you that America isn’t that great, as they have a terrible welfare system which forces so many people to lead terrible lives and maybe even forcing them to resort to illicit activity.
It’s wonderful that Sean Baker didn’t romanticize the situation and showed us an element of rawness. I just couldn’t get over the ending, and how much of a cliff hanger it was, as you grow such a connection to Moonee you just want to know if she will be ok. Also, Willem Dafoe’s performance was outstanding, however that is no surprise, but I do believe that he shouldn’t be the only receiving awards.
Signed, S
