Review of Tangerine (2015) by Craig T — 21 Dec 2015

It's films like this that really help show why people need to keep an eye on independent filmmaking as this is unlike anything you will ever see out there. It's not that I would call it the most inventive film of all time, though I would call it fresh and lively, but it takes a look at a group of people that have been vastly under-represented in the movie world and that is transgender people, something that the film's description on this page fails to mention.

Though, with shows like Transparent on Amazon, hopefully that perception is changing. Perhaps Transparent's, a show I haven't seen yet, only fault is the fact that it cast someone in the lead role, Jeffrey Tambor, whom I love, isn't someone who actually identifies with the character he plays.

That's not his fault, of course, and I don't blame him for that, but it is something worth pointing out. This film casts two actresses in the lead roles who actually do identify with their characters in the film and this is so much better of a movie for it.

Their performances are authentic and real and that is always a benefit. The film does a great job in not trying to create stereotypes out of these two people, which is something that a lot of films covering this very sensitive topic can be accused of doing.

It takes a human and poignant approach to these characters. Showing all their flaws, all their roughness, but also showing us who they are as people and what makes them strong individuals. The film, again, doesn't sugarcoat any of Sin-Dee's or Alexandra's flaws, they're right up in your face, but that, and Kitana's and Mya's performances as Sin-Dee and Alexandra respectively, also shows us that they are complex human beings, the film doesn't explicitly tells us everything that's going on in their lives, but you can tell that they, and really every character that's focused on in the film, is really try to make the best of their situation, even if it might seem fucked up to others.

So I thought that was well-done, it's a movie that's manic and it entertains, but it's also one that never forgets to look at its characters with respect. One of the things I liked about the movie, and this is something I tend to like a lot when it's done, is how everything and everyone seems to be heading to the same end.

Like there's a clear endgame in sight and everything in the film is the steps to get there. Because of that, the film is incredibly focused. There's no wasted motion in the film, everything here serves an actual purpose in where they want to go by the ending.

The film, also, is in constant motion so it moves at a really brisk pace because of that, no one sticks around in one place for long. The film was actually shot entirely, due to budget constraints, on three iPhones, which I found incredibly impressive.

I'm not saying that the movie looks as good as some of the bigger budgeted independent films, but it looks pretty damn good. And I'm sure there's a lot of tricks being pulled in post, but the look adds so much to the feel and tone of the film.

It adds to the film's authenticity. I know it's a cliche to say that the city is a character, but I think it really does apply in this cause, because the city affects, perhaps in more subtle ways, the way the characters in the films lead their lives.

Maybe they moved to LA with hopes of grandeur, like many others, only to find themselves in the seedier parts of it, so that worked really well. All in all, this is an excellent film and one that, honestly, really sneaked up on me.

It's one of the sleeper hits of the year, for sure, and one that I would wholeheartedly recommend.