The Florida Project 2017

Welcome to a magical kingdom

7.416 / 10   2609 vote(s)
R
Drama

The story of a precocious six year-old and her ragtag group of friends whose summer break is filled with childhood wonder, possibility and a sense of adventure while the adults around them struggle with hard times.

Homepage https://a24films.com/films/the-florida-project
Release Date 2017-10-06
Runtime 1h 52m
Directors Sean Baker, Joe McDougall, Alexis Zabe, Katye Kalivoda, Marten W. Piccinini
Producers Chris Bergoch, Sean Baker, Alex Saks, Kevin Chinoy, Shih-Ching Tsou, Andrew Duncan, Francesca Silvestri, Dani Johnson, Elayne Schneiderman Schmidt, Samantha Quan, Elayne Schneiderman Schmidt, Darren Dean, David Danesi
Writers Chris Bergoch, Sean Baker

The Florida Project is a beautiful film about people and life and survival. Sean Baker has shown us the underbelly of American culture that we normally don't get to see; these people aren't known and are the outcasts of society. Much like Andrea Arnold's masterpiece from last year, American Honey, this film brings to light many issues that are insanely topical in the current American political climate such as classism and racism.

Gorgeously shot on 35mm, this film is a feast for the eyes. It uses every colour in the crayon box from the gloriously purple exterior to the dilapidated Magic Kingdom motel to the impossibly bright oranges, reds, and greens of the local shops where the kids venture every day. While plasticky and candy-like during the day scenes, the film is even more stunning at sundown - the dusty, sun-drenched shots here are sublime.

Everyone has been abuzz about Willem Dafoe's performance in this. He's absolutely charming and is the glue that holds these dejected people's lives together in this film. He's the father figure to all of them and he does the absolute most with his character. The breakthrough star of this film, however, is 7-year-old Brooklynn Prince. She's an absolute superstar. During the Q&A at the North American premiere she wore a baby blue princess gown and simultaneously waved like Queen Elizabeth II and blew kisses at the audience as they gave her a standing ovation. Child performers lately have been better and better - remember how good Jacob Tremblay was in Room? Just you wait for Prince to wow you in this. She has a scene at the very end of the movie that requires her to break down and cry and it tore my heart out.

jessetaylor

"Sean Baker’s neo-realistic eye for humour, honesty and heartbreak has crafted a slow burn, potent commentary on America’s struggling underclass..."

Read the full review here: http://screen-space.squarespace.com/reviews/2017/10/4/the-florida-project.html

Simon Foster

I think Wayne put it best when he said: "Don't, uh... Don't care much for kids, so..."

Final rating:★★½ - Not quite for me, but I definitely get the appeal.

Gimly