Writer/Director: Sofia Coppola
Starring: Emma Watson, Leslie Mann and Katie Chang
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have earned the recognition of Emma Watson. Following her rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Watson has been a strong icon. Whether it is magical teenagers, political leaders or fashion designers, Watson has portrayed countless powerful characters. Arguably, Watson’s strength as an actress has always been her powerful presence. She is one of those rare actresses that has always had a talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Even when she isn’t a main focus of a movie, Watson has always left a lasting impression. Although she is arguably best known for her renowned role in the Harry Potter franchise, Watson has proven that she can excel in every genre. Through her abilities to play strong characters that are compelling, Watson has built a strong legacy that’s lasting. Throughout a long-lasting career, Watson has made many memorable movies that are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Watson and adore all films that she has created in her career. However, “The Bling Ring” is my favourite. Released in 2013, Sofia Coppola’s movie offered a strong portrait of thieves committing grim robberies. Packed with breathtaking production, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best fashion films ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Emma Watson, who plays a feminist thief that faces tensions. Ultimately, what makes “The Bling Ring” a masterpiece is broad appeal. Unlike most fashion films, it discusses strong themes everyone will relate to. A riveting masterpiece about thieves, there are several strong reasons why “The Bling Ring” is a movie that’s worth watching.
Based on actual events, “The Bling Ring” tells a story of fame-obsessed teenagers that face heists that are terrifying. Emma Watson plays Nicki, a smart teenage girl with strong love for fashion. Nicki has often had an obsession with the lives of celebrities that she regards with an intense affection. Assisted by a group of small friends, Nicki seeks to commit robberies of her favourite celebrities. However, what appears to be a fairly simple task soon turns deadly when robberies cause disasters. Attracting attention of police authorities, Nicki questions whether it is safe to commit robberies. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Nicki questions her strong devotion to celebrities that she used to treasure. Faced with obstacles which prove to be frightening, Nicki questions her love for her bling ring.
Sofia Coppola has always been fascinated by lives of women. An iconic filmmaker, Coppola has often made engaging movies about lives of women facing disaster. Her iconic film “Lost in Translation” offered a bold portrait of lonely women whose lives are lost in translation. With “The Bling Ring”, however, Coppola created her first fashion drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture hardships faced by women committing robbery but she succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Coppola captures a woman’s journey. Evoking David Frankel’s “The Devil Wears Prada”, Coppola successfully uses montages to capture women seeking to pull off a robbery. For instance, montages elevate the robbery scene. During this memorable scene, Nicki and her friends seek to commit a tense robbery. Using captivating montages, Coppola creates a portrait of fashion which is engaging. Montages are tricky techniques to use in films. As Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” proved, montages elevate coming of age films. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through captivating visuals, Coppola captures tensions that thieves committing robberies are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Bling Ring” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Evoking Steven Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s Eleven”, Coppola effectively uses costumes to capture the lives of thieves which commit grim robberies which cause tensions. For instance, costumes elevate the clothes robberies scene. During this unforgettable scene, Nicki and her friends seek to commit an intricate robbery in tension. Through stunning costumes, Coppola creates a portrait of fashion that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Daniel Lopatin’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden fashion designers bear. Through captivating production, Coppola captures the lives of thieves which experience tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “The Bling Ring” is a film about fashion that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the lives of fashion designers facing tension. Throughout the movie, Coppola effectively uses silence to capture the lives of thieves facing a dilemma. For instance, silence enhances the profession farewell scene. During this memorable scene, Nicki and her friends bid farewell to the lives of celebrities after committing robberies. Using silence, Coppola creates a portrait of thieves that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a complex technique to use in movies. As Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women” proved, silence often enhances movies about strong women. Darren Aronofsky’s “Noah” demonstrated that silence enhances films about religious messiahs. That being said, it works immensely. Through a bold screenplay, Coppola captures thieves facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Emma Watson delivers one of her finest career performances as Nicki. Watson first achieved appreciation for playing magical teenagers in fantasy films. With “The Bling Ring”, however, she took on her most comedic role. It isn’t easy to portray a woman that commits robberies of celebrities but she succeeded immensely. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her in the past before: intense, charming and moving in her most iconic role. Its a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of a comfort zone by playing a character that’s far removed from Hermoine Granger. It’s a superb performance by one of the most celebrated actresses that is working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Emma Watson, the supporting cast is also excellent and worthy of appreciations. Katie Chung is captivating, capturing the bravery of a woman seeking to commit robberies causing adversity. Leslie Mann is magnificent, bringing tension to a woman whose life isn’t often going according to plan. Last, Taissa Farmiga merits appreciation. As a rebellious teenage girl, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “The Bling Ring” would earn the praise of everyone for capturing obstacles fashion figures are facing. Unlike most movies about fashion, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It discusses powerful themes such as identity, teamwork and consequences that will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the world of fashion to enjoy it. It delivers a thoughtful message about fashion that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Bling Ring” is one of those fashion films everyone would adore.
Fans of Emma Watson would absolutely enjoy “The Bling Ring” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting fashion drama, it celebrates an actress with charisma.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about women seeking to commit robberies in a bling ring, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actress that has earned a huge fan following for her abilities to portray compelling characters in engaging movies which are absolutely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 