Sean Baker gives a rare look behind the curtain of the ‘the happiest place on earth’ in this bleak and eye-opening film
When thinking of Florida, there a few things that come to mind, theme parks, beaches, oranges, but this film peels away the tourist facade and instead shows a grittier reality of life in the sunshine state.
The Florida Project stars Willem Dafoe as a defeated motel manager Bobby, who has a close relationship with permanent resident Halley (Bria Vinaite) a brash but loving mother of one. But the big players in this film are the tiny but powerful six-year-olds who lead the majority of the scenes. Brooklynn Prince is the epicentre of this playing Moonee, a wild child who hangs about with her two best friends Jancey and Scooty (Valeria Cotto and Christopher Rivera) around the parking lot of the motel where they all live.
As a trio, the kids often wander further afield, mostly to get ice cream which they pay for by asking holidaymakers for money. They are mischievous, mostly led by Moonee and often run in to trouble like shutting off the power to the whole motel. But these actions rarely have consequences, Moonee’s mother, Halley is young and unemployed, and more concerned with finding next weeks rent money than the antics of her child and her friends.
This rings true for many of the parents in the motel, doing whatever they can to provide their families, their children are often left to their own devices. Unsupervised and free to act as they please, the kids are somewhat responsible for their own lives, with no real sense of the dangers that surround them.
The vibrant and cartoonish landscape of the outskirts of the vacation hub make it hugely enjoyable to watch
Luckily the kids are somewhat protected by Bobby, who is closest the children have to a father-figure. Although often telling them off for their bad behaviour his manner is ultimately protective, hiding many people’s residencies at the motel from his boss and helping them out with payments. His parental skills however are not reserved for just the kids, he looks out for Halley too, which causes them to have a turbulent relationship. Halley is hotheaded and insulting to most, but is always kind to her daughter, even with no money she still tries to make Moonee happy with simple pleasures like watching fireworks from the side of a road.
The most interesting thing about this film has to be the childlike over-exaggerated visuals. The vibrant and cartoonish landscape of the outskirts of the vacation hub make it hugely enjoyable to watch. The bright discount memorabilia stores along the side of the highway and the gigantic gaudy gift shops, give a real sense of the reality behind the dreamland fantasy.
This is shown best through the run-down ‘Magic Castle Motel’ where the characters reside, an unsightly lilac structure modelling itself after the famous Disney kingdom. It’s facade is crumbling and it’s rooms are tiny and dim, acting as a stark contrast from the unlimited breakfast buffets that tourists enjoy only steps away.
The Florida Project shows the grim reality of the wealth divide that exists in the most visited city in America. It’s a heavy ride with a somewhat uncharacteristic ending, but this film shines a light on the hardships of those on the breadline and shows that for some, Orlando isn’t the place where dreams come true.
The Florida Project is showing at Broadway Cinema until Thursday 23rd November
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
