Last week, I went to my local theater to see "The Bling Ring," which happened to be the only theater in lil' Rhody playing it. I was very excited to see this movie because of all the promotion it was getting due to it being based on a true story. Also, Emma Watson is in it, so that's a given.
This movie is based on the story of a group of teenagers from Los Angeles who robbed celebrities houses, such as Orlando Bloom, Rachel Bilson, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, and more. The movie, directed by Sofia Coppola, was filmed very well, showing the personal perspectives of the teenagers as well as the media/society perspective. Coppola is a great director, proving once more how great she is with "The Bling Ring." Nevertheless, the movie did receive mixed reviews, and has a 61% on Rotton Tomatoes, making it "fresh." Here are some critics' statements I disagree with. One critic from the Boston Globe, Ty Burr, states, "What does Coppola want us to think about these beautiful young idiots? What does she think? She's too cool or too wary or too close to her subject to engage." Well, Ty, let me answer your questions. Here is what I thought about these "beautiful young idiots." The way the script was written, and the way these characters are acted, I think of them as having a mentality where they are deeply self-involved in how they look. They live in "reality," but their version of reality is skewed and misguided by the celebrity culture that everyone, even me, is drawn to. Albeit, I am on the opposite side of the scale as these girls (and boy). I don't plan on robbing anyone or have a deep desire to wear the clothes they own, or even be them. The Hollywood Burglars do. And really, Sofia Coppola is a sophisticated woman, and I don't believe her wanting us to think about these teenagers a certain way--she gives us plenty of evidence and information for us to formulate our opinion about these teenagers. Onto the second question, the way the movie is filmed, it is similar to a mockumentary, and is satire. Some of the dialogue in the script is satire, because the people these characters are based on would say those things, and it's what comes out of their mouths sometimes that is hilarious. For example:"I'm a firm believer in Karma and I think that this situation was attracted in my life because it was supposed to be a huge learning lesson for me to grow and expand as a spiritual human being. I want to lead a country one day for all I know" (said by Nicki~ Emma Watson). That line of dialogue is almost word for word from an Alexis Neiers interview. So, she tells us what she thinks if you pay enough attention, and like I said above, she gives us plenty of evidence and information for us to formulate our own opinion, therefore, if we can, hers is definitely evident in the movie.
Betsy Sharkey of the L.A. Times stated in her critique, "Make no mistake, it is lovely to look at this celebrity bedazzled bit of L.A. crime history for a while. But the movie ultimately leaves you feeling as empty as the lives it means to portray." Okay Betsy, great simile, but I'd have to disagree. I have no idea how you can feel "empty" after seeing this movie, because I certaintly did not. I felt disgusted, appalled, and knew that I would instantly dislike anyone I met who was remotely like those girls (ESPECIALLY Emma Watson's character). It amazes and disgusts me how there are people like that who take everything for granted, are spoiled, self-conceited, drama queens, and materialistic to an obsessive degree, all at once. I'm appalled at the fact that these parents don't do much of parenting, and don't realize the sudden influx of designer clothes and being out in the wee hours of the morning. Some were minors when the burglaring first started, but when they got caught, all were adults. None of them were mature or responsible for their actions. So, as you can see, even a week after seeing the movie, I do not feel "as empty as the lives it means to portray."
Okay, no more rhetoric, and onwards I go with the post. The acting, I thought, for the most part, was great. These actors played the shallow, self-obsessed teens well. I do believe that Emma Watson and Taissa Farmiga were the best, however it was nice to see new faces, Katie Chang, Israel Broussard, and Claire Julien hold their own with established and known actors. I think I have said this a few times, but I'll say it once more--I love the way it was directed, filmed, edited, etc. It was amazing. Another thing that was amazing was that soundtrack. It is EPIC. So epic, that I bought the majority of the songs from the soundtrack. Even the songs Sofia Coppola chose, and the order they are in on the soundtrack, are a great depiction of the movie and the story. The soundtrack starts with the Sleigh Bells' "Crown on the Ground" and ends with Frank Ocean's "Super Rich Kids." Those two "bookends," as well as the "books" in between show the rise and fall of "The Bling Ring."
I definitely suggest that you go see this movie--hopefully it is playing at a theater near you, because it is only in 650 locations. After you see the movie, I would watch a Chelsea Lately interview with Alexis Neiers (one of the convicted burglars) just because Chelsea Handler makes fun of her and her sisters without any of them realizing. Also, watch Pretty Wild (currently on Netflix), and you will see some very familiar scenes. It's a horrible show, and these girls are obnoxious, but it's interesting to see the scenes Sofia Coppola reenacted. Another thing to take a look at is the original magazine article from Vanity Fair that Sofia Coppola used a lot of information from, "The Suspects Wore Louboutins" by Nancy Jo Sales (http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/03/billionaire-girls-201003). A very interesting read!
A key under the front door mat is NOT a good hiding place (ahem, Paris...), even if you are a normal person like me who owns cheap clothes from TJMaxx and Marshalls. Lock your windows. Close your doors. "The Bling Ring" teens had easy access to the homes. Three million dollars later, these teenagers were given their sentences, and celebrites all over the USA bought alarm and security systems. 2010 must have been a big year for those companies...
A key under the front door mat is NOT a good hiding place (ahem, Paris...), even if you are a normal person like me who owns cheap clothes from TJMaxx and Marshalls. Lock your windows. Close your doors. "The Bling Ring" teens had easy access to the homes. Three million dollars later, these teenagers were given their sentences, and celebrites all over the USA bought alarm and security systems. 2010 must have been a big year for those companies...