Review of The Florida Project (2017) by Steviegjd — 25 Oct 2017

Baker makes movies about people whose stories are not oft told and whose lives many people do not care about. Just like with his first film Tangerine, The Florida Project ("TFP") tells such a story with compassion and insight, but without judgement or condemnation.

TFP delves into the lives of people who live in low cost motels because they can't afford to get permanent housing. The story is told mostly from the perspective of a precocious, and completely unsupervised six-year old, Moonie, who explores her world without fear.

The only recognizable actor is Willem Dafoe, who is excellent portraying the motel manager who cares for the property, enforces the rules (mostly) and protects his tenants and their children. Though Moonie is portrayed by a young girl who has worked as an actress, her mother and her best were found by Baker on social media and in a Wal Mart with her mother, respectively.

There is a genuineness to every performance that is very compelling. I suspect that some people will dislike this movie because it is not narrative driven; it is a slice of the lives of the characters.

Things happen, but the events seem to be less the point than the insight of how the characters in this story react, both to the events and to each other. This is a film about week to week motel tenants, close to Disney World, living their lives and trying to get by.

If that idea appeals to you, then you'll enjoy this low budget indie film, if it does not, you should probably go see Geostorm.