MOONEE: You know why this is my favorite tree? JANCEY: Why? MOONEE: 'Cause it's tipped over, but it's still growing.
I adore The Florida Project (2017). Director and writer Sean Baker's well-crafted tonal and thematic blend of social commentary on poverty, the grimy over-saturation of commercialization and their products, the jubilant innocence of childhood, and the heart-wrenching pains of growing up is exceptional. Almost every frame of this film symbolically tells a story about what living life in poverty is through a child's eyes and imagination. This movie's widescreen format and saturated color schemes resemble that of a classic animated film from Disney, which I not only admire, but I also find appropriate given that this film's title references Walt Disney's original working title for Walt Disney World. However, one of this film's many standouts is the exceptional character dynamics, as they are realistic yet intimate, from Moonee (played by Brooklynn Prince)'s mother-daughter relationship with her single mother Halley (played by Bria Vinaite) to Halley's rocky yet loving father-daughter relationship with her father and motel manager Bobby Hicks (played by Willem Dafoe).
As Moonee, Prince's performance is exceptional, for her natural charm and emotional range as an actress genuinely impressed me. I cannot wait to see what lies in store for this powerhouse of talent and personality. Dafoe brings a rough-and-tumble warmth and a sense of protectiveness that never overshadows the young talents in this film. This film's biggest surprise is Vinaite, who brings a natural sense of grittiness to her well-meaning but financially struggling character of Halley, thanks to Sean Baker's excellent direction.
From what I have learned about this movie, most of the scenes involving the children playing and their interactions were genuine. Also, I have noticed that the constant flying of helicopters past several of the scenes was unplanned. Surprisingly, I found myself so engaged with their world that they became rather endearing. In no way did I ever feel that the improvised dialogue detracted from the lively yet grounded atmosphere; instead, it made the emotional payoff at the end well-earned. Another one of The Florida Project's greatest strengths come from its fusion of the uncompromisingly heartwrenching commentary on social and economic hardships with the lighthearted yet emotionally profound portrait of childhood escapades like playing in abandoned houses and accidentally lighting one on fire, two of the characters' casual exchange of the attached quote at the beginning of this review, and lengths Halley goes to provide for Moonee. While the easy-going pace may serve as a test of one's patience to some, it only adds to this movie's endearing quality despite its graphic portrayal of sex, drugs, deteriorating relationships, and profanity. This film is a must-watch.
Final Score: 10 out of 10
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