Review of The Florida Project (2017) by Ryan B — 18 Jun 2018

All I truly know about this movie is that I haven't stopped thinking about it since I saw it in October. It's as funny and bright as any other movie you will see, and yet as you peel away the perspective and look at the reality, it's utterly heartbreaking.

The Florida Project takes place in a month-to-month hotel on the outskirts of Orlando. Where a congregation of people, on the verge of homelessness, live their lives in the shadow of the most magical place on earth.

Told through the eyes of a six-year-old named Mooney. Her world is an adventure, and nothing is off limits. Willem Dafoe, the surrogate father figure of the community (and a strong contender for best supporting actor) struggles to command the respect of his tenants while at the same time performing a thankless job.

The movie is worth seeing for Dafoe's character alone. For a guy who has made a substantial portion of his career as either evil or creepy or both, his character in The Florida Project is so genuine in the way he cares for other people.

Not because he's some benevolent hero; he's just a good guy trying to do his job who can't help but care. His limits are often tested by a precocious little scamp (Mooney) and her careless, immature mother, who despite her mistakes and misguided efforts, cares deeply for her daughter.

The Florida Project demonstrates the innocence of youth in abundance, but it's always outlined in harsh reality. Director Sean Baker is making a name for himself as a filmmaker who tells the stories of people often overlooked, and although the accounts are honest and unfortunate, the movie never feels preachy or manipulative.