The Florida Project - Movie Review

The Florida Project is a low-budget ($2 million) independent film designed to win awards. The film is off to a slow start in limited release, but is likely to be a money-maker and might even make it into wider distribution. The film reminds me a little bit of Beasts of the Southern Wild due to the young protagonist and the marginalization of adults in her life. It is a serious film that manages to be heart-warming, engaging and fun while also feeling a bit incomplete.

At six years of age, Moonee (Brooklyn Prince) has the run of the town. Or at least the strip of low-rent motels in the shadow of Disney. Her best friend, Scooty (Christopher Rivera) joins her on dangerous adventures and impish shenanigans. Early in the film, we catch the spitting on a car and calling the owner a "beyotch." Raw language for six-year-olds. Interestingly, the owner of the car has a little girl the same age as Moonee. Moonee becomes quick friends with the girl, Jancey (Valeria Cotto). The trio explore their surroundings with a freedom not normally granted to such young children. Moonee's mother, Halley (Bria Vinaite) doesn't have a job, making rent by hustling. She is the epitome of an unfit mother. The motel has a surrogate father, a kind-hearted manager (Willem Dafoe) with a blindspot when it comes to Moonee and her deadbeat mother. Poor decisions and a dangerous environment lead to consequences followed by loose ends that are never tied together. This is one of those films that leave the ending to the viewer.

The Florida Project is a character study. And maybe, in some sense, it is an allegory as well. Or a paradox. The ending sort of left that to the imagination. The film is set in the shadow of Disney. The magic of the kingdom appears to end at the front gates. But the setting is also filled with bright colors and interesting shops that add a bit of glitter (or fool's gold) to the otherwise bleak neighborhood. The film rests on the performance of a six-year-old. Moonee is the central character in this story, which leaves Brooklyn Prince with the weight of carrying this film. She definitely rose to the challenge. The writers made her simultaneously a foul-mouthed troublemaker and a lovable child. It is a dichotomy that works on the power of Brooklyn's performance. The characters have the kind of complexity necessary to make a film like this work. If not, the film would be a waste of time. Instead, we get some harsh realities along with the stuff that warms your heart.

Brooklyn Prince has three films coming out in 2017. But she is a newcomer. At six, that makes sense. With her performance, it also makes sense that she is in demand already. She manages to maintain the innocence of a six-year-old while delivering the aggravation and hijinx of a teenager. Her body language and facial expressions often defied her age. I am sure the Director, Sean Baker, had a lot to do with getting those reactions out of her, but they made this film. The other child actors in this film also carried it. Cotto and Rivera were both rock solid. The trio had a friendship that seemed genuine. These kids had to be friends off set. They went so far as to lick the same ice cream cone. No trick photography there. Just kids enjoying one ice cream, cooties and all. Willem Dafoe was the steadying presence one would expect. His character seemed stuck in a rut, but incredibly kind. His empathy was visible in many small ways, and sometimes portrayed more extremely. Vinaite was frustrating in the way that her character should have been. She is the person we all know who is not capable of making a good decision. The cast was exceptional. For a character film, the casting was spot on. It made the film work and added credibility to the characters.

This is a film driven by child actors. But it is not a film for children. The MPAA gave The Florida Project an R-Rating. The rating is based on plenty of foul language, drug use, alcohol use, prostitution, sexual situations, a potential child predator situation (which was one storyline I thought could have been better) and violence. The rating is properly applied. I would consider teenagers to be mature enough to handle this film. It may be a bit much for younger viewers.

I enjoyed The Florida Project. I enjoyed it enough to suggest it is worth seeing at the theater. It won't lose anything if you wait for it streaming, but it is just a solid film. Brooklyn Prince is a phenomenal actress. Her performance put this film over the top for me. The story was interesting, if not frustrating at times. The pacing was a bit slow at times, but the story was engaging enough to hold your interest. The scene with the child predator was a bit confusing. The acting was done in a way that suggested a mental disorder or cognitive disease. I wish it had been played a bit more "straight." Overall, this was a warm film about growing up near the magic kingdom without the faerie dust. There was probably a message here, but the ending left me wanting a bit more closure. My recommendation is high regardless. 8/10.