
Review
Precocious 6 year old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) lives with her mother
Halley (Bria Vinaite) in a shabby motel called The Magic Castle. Halley
struggles to make ends meet, often going to questionable lengths to get by,
but Moonee is just having fun spending the summer days hanging out with
friends Scooty (Christopher Rivera) and Jancey (Valeria Cotto), causing
trouble and annoying the long suffering motel manager Bobby (Willem Dafoe).
As well as the slightly false advertising of the motel's name (as one
honeymooning couple arriving discover to their disappointment), there are
reminders of the World of Disney everywhere, from cheap merchandise sold in
stores along the highway, to a Seven Dwarfs Lane road sign and the
fireworks Halley takes Moonee and Jancey to watch from outside the park.
Even the film's title is a reference to the top secret code name given to
the amusement park before it was built. Though here it also suggests the
low-rent accommodation that people have no choice but to live in. Despite
the proximity, Disney World might as well be a million miles away from the
motel and its slightly seedy surroundings.
A little more money and being clearly shot on something a bit fancier than
an iphone doesn't seem to have affected Baker's knack for capturing those
that live on the margins of society in a loose and unsentimental fashion.
Those wanting a clear linear plot should go elsewhere but if you settle
into its episodic rhythm, there are plenty of treasures within. Beautifully
directed and shot, capturing the often garish and unique Florida
architecture in bright colours, the film is visually interesting
throughout.
While a great, mostly unknown, cast impress. Like Tangerine before it, The
Florida Project shows Baker's ability to get amazing performances from
inexperienced actors. Brooklynn Prince steals the film as Moonee,
rebellious and out of control but still very much a kid, it's a wonderful
and very funny performance. Bria Vinaite is also very good as Halley, more
a big sister to Moonee than a mother and prone to some pretty disastrous
choices when it comes to making money, she also clearly loves Moonee and
the two actresses have fantastic chemistry with each other. Valeria Cotto
and Christopher Rivera also make fine debuts as Jancey and Scooty.
The casting of a name actor amongst the unknowns could have been jarring
but Willem Dafoe is utterly convincing as Bobby, a man who has clearly seen
his fair share of Halley and Moonee's come and go in the motel but can't
help but be protective towards them, no matter how frustrating they can be.
Blue Ruin's Macon Blair and Caleb Landrey Jones also have brief but
memorable roles.
Overall this is a beautifully made film that manages to remain true to the
harsh realities of fringe living, whilst conveying the almost magical and
carefree way kids have of dealing with it. Another glorious and unmissable
feature from Sean Baker.
By Kevin Knapman
The Florida Project (15)
1h 55m
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Brooklynn Prince, Bria Vinaite, Valeria Cotto, Caleb Landry Jones
UK Release: Friday 10th November 2017
The Florida Project - No Harm No Fowl Clip
The Florida Project - Story Featurette