Review of The Bling Ring (2013) by Orlando O — 17 Sep 2013

The Bling Ring is one of those satirical crime films being based on actual teenagers who broke into celebrity homes and stealing their belongings. The movie felt like it could have been good with that quick paced editing, and an atmospheric partying music. It does have its let downs with fair acting, a story that becomes repetitive after a while.

A movie based on true events begins with lonely teen Marc (Israel Broussard) arriving in a new high school in Calabasas, California. He becomes friends with Rebecca (Katie Chang) who is obsessed with famous people, especially Lindsay Lohan. At a party, Rebecca and Marc begin searching nearby unlocked vehicles to steal valuables such as wallets and money. With the thought of easily stealing from unlocked vehicles, they both plan to visit celebrity homes after they leave to some event, and steal any of their belongings. They soon have Nicki (Emma Watson), her sister Sam (Taissa Farmiga), and Chloe (Claire Julien) to join in their renegade idea of breaking into celebrity homes and steal any valuable things.

The plot was repetitive with these events after one home burglarizing to another. Even if it is based on actual events, it was surprising to see how many people do leave their wallets in an unlocked car, or leaving their home sliding door unlocked when they leave out of state. The movie was very fast paced and had a good mix of the soundtrack that really kept it going. The movie also had that theme of rich spoiled teens always looking for more in a lifestyle by having the materials celebrities use.

Israel Broussard, Katie Chang, and Claire Julien are newcomers to acting. Sure, their first movie debuts with their performances were decent. Taissa Farmiga and Emma Watson both were okay as well. They are good actresses, but their characters did not really have much depth to even care about.

The Bling Ring is a mediocre film, it was quite entertaining to see this energy hyped up about shallow teens stealing from celebrities and following their lifestyle of clubbing, drugs and more partying. But it does lack a few things that could have made it better.