Writer/Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Brooklynn Prince and Caleb Landry Jones
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors that achieved fame years ago are as beloved as Willem Dafoe. Ever since his recognition in the 1980’s, Dafoe has become a beloved icon. Whether it is detectives inspecting murders, psychotic killers or green goblins, Dafoe has played several characters. Arguably, Dafoe’s finest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always had the talent for stealing the show in supporting roles which have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a focus of a movie, Dafoe has often left a lasting impression. Although he is most well-known for his famous role as Green Goblin within the Spider-Man movies, Dafoe has proven he can make engaging movies in every genre. Throughout his long-lasting career, Dafoe has created several memorable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Dafoe and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “The Florida Project” is definitely his most meaningful work. Released in 2017, Sean Baker’s film offered a powerful portrait of poverty in Florida. Packed with captivating production, engaging storytelling and bold acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about Florida. At centre of it all is an iconic performance by Willem Dafoe, who plays a troubled manager of a Florida communities centre. Ultimately, what makes “The Florida Project” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Florida, it covers strong themes that everyone will relate to. A fantastic masterpiece about Florida, there are several strong reasons why “The Florida Project” is worth watching.
Set in Florida, “The Florida Project” tells the story of a precocious six year old that grows up in a neighborhood of America. Brooklynn Prince portrays Moonee, a young girl with a strong sense of curiosity. Moonee has often had a strong love for exploring environment with curiosity. However, Moonee’s hopes for adventure are threatened when she gets in trouble with the local hotel manager. Bobby (Willem Dafoe) is a dedicated manager with a strong desire to care for his hotel. Bobby’s hopes for managing his hotel clash with the children. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Moonee questions whether it it’s possible for her to engage with mischievous behaviour.
Sean Baker has often been fascinated with themes of poverty. An excellent filmmaker, Baker has often made engaging films about impoverished individuals which experience dishes. His iconic film “Tangerine” offered a powerful portrait of women in impoverished neighbourhoods seeking to follow a routine. With “The Florida Project”, however, Baker made his first Florida drama. It was Baker’s first attempt to capture the lives of children growing up in a Florida neighbourhood in a state of poverty but he succeeded. Through stunning cinematography, Baker captures a precocious child embarking upon a journey to find identity. Emulating Robert Mulligan’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Baker successfully uses point of view shots to capture tension children growing up in poverty are facing. For instance, POV shots enhance the Florida neighborhood scene. During this engaging scene, Moonee and her friends attempt to explore their Florida neighbourhood. Using POV shots, Baker constructs a portrait of a Florida neighborhood that’s engaging. POV shots are tricky techniques. As Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” claimed, POV shots enhance comic book movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using captivating visuals, Baler created a portrait of Florida that’s compelling.
Another admirable aspect of “The Florida Project” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Baker’s decision to shoot the film in real-life locales in Florida is risky but pays off immensely. For instance, the Florida locations elevate the child missing scene. During this intense scene, Moonee goes missing causing her mother to face tension. Through stunning Florida locations, Baker created a portrait of America that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Lorne Balfe’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing the burden which poverty-stricken families bear. Through stunning production, Baker captures hardships that children in Florida are facing.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Florida Project” is a film about Florida that’s compelling. The film is extremely well written, and successfully employs silence to capture tensions kids in Florida experience. Inspired with Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood”, Baker effectively uses silence to capture the tension experienced by children in a Florida neighbourhood. For instance, silence suits the kids farewell scene. During this heartfelt scene, Moonee bids emotional farewell to her friends in her neighbourhood. Through silence, Baker crafts a portrait of childhood that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. As Oliver Stone’s “Platoon” suggested, silence often enhances movies about the Vietnam wars. Robert Eggers’ “The Lighthouse” suggested that silence enhances period pieces about isolation. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Baker captures the lives of children facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Willem Dafoe delivers one of his best career performances as Bobby. Dafoe first earned appreciation for playing conflicted soldiers in Vietnam war. With “The Florida Project”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray the owner of a hotel in Florida facing adversity but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever watched him before: charismatic, emotional and vulnerable in his most iconic role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, fear and resentment of a Florida hotel manager. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Willem Dafoe, the supporting cast is great and worthy of praise. Brooklynn Prince is brilliant, capturing charisma of a girl that endures a dilemma growing up in Florida. Bria Vinaite is spectacular, capturing the protective nature of a mother struggling raising her daughter in a poverty-stricken neighborhood facing disaster. Lastly, Caleb Landry Jones deserves appreciation. As a hotel manager, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “The Florida Project” will earn the praise of everyone for capturing Floridan women on a project. Unlike most movies which are set in Florida, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It covers strong themes including ambition, poverty and trauma which would resonate among everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Florida to admire it. Therefore, “The Florida Project” is one of those rare films about Florida everyone will adore.
Fans of Willem Dafoe will enjoy “The Florida Project” and so would audiences seeking engaging entertainment. A captivating drama about Florida, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about poverty-stricken kids seeking to live in a neighbourhood in a Florida, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor with charisma that has earned a following by his abilities to portray compelling heroes in memorable movies which always attract audiences to the cinema.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 