The Bling Ring Review

Rated R (Teen Drug and Alcohol Use, and for Language including Some Brief Sexual References)

Running Time: 1 Hour & 30 Minutes

Cast-

Israel Broussard-Marc Hall

Katie Chang-Rebecca Ahn

Emma Watson-Nicki Moore

Taissa Farmiga-Sam Moore

Claire Julien-Chloe Tainer

Leslie Mann-Laurie Moore

Georgia Rock-Emily Moore

Carlos Miranda-Rob

Gavin Rossdale-Ricky

Annie Fitzgerald-Kate from Vanity Fair

Paris Hilton-As Herself

Kirsten Dunst-As Herself

Directed by Sofia Coppola

Thieves have never looked so stylish.

Note: For those of you interested in the "Vanity Fair" article that inspired the film, you can go here.

'I'm a firm believer in Karma, and I think this situation was attracted into my life because it was supposed to be a huge learning lesson for me to grow and expand as a spiritual human being. I see myself being like an Angelina Jolie but even stronger, pushing even harder for the universe and for peace and for the health of our planet. God didn't give me these talents and looks to just sit around being a model or being famous. I want to lead a huge charity organization. I want to lead a country, for all I know.' This little sound-bite was provided by then-eighteen year old Alexis Neiers a week before her arraignment regarding her involvement with the 'Bling Ring,' a group of affluent teenagers who burglarized the homes of several celebrities in the Los Angeles county area in California between October 2008 through August 2009. I have to say, this is one of the most vapid statements I've ever heard out of somebody's mouth and what's worse is that Neiers wasn't even being the slightest bit ironic. She clearly meant every word and believes in every word she said! Now the infamous 'Hollywood Hills Burglars' are the subject of Sofia Coppola's latest film, the appropriately titled "The Bling Ring," based on the 2010 Vanity Fair article The Suspects Wore Louboutins by Nancy Jo Sales. Since her directorial debut in 1999 with "The Virgin Suicides," Coppola has built her career on exploring the ennui and corruption of the over-privileged, whether it'd be historical figures (2006's "Marie Antoinette") or actors who live out their lives in expensive luxury suites (2003's "Lost in Translation" and 2010's "Somewhere"). Flipping her gaze from the rich and famous to those who obsess over them, "The Bling Ring" doesn't offer much insight into its characters but the film remains a stylish picture that provocatively captures the zeitgeist of our current generation's empty-headed, selfie-snapping, celebrity-obsessed culture.

Expelled from his previous academy due to having excessive absences, Marc Hall (Israel Broussard) is sent to a remedial high school in Calabasas, California where his parents hope he will have a fresh start. Although he isn't the sociable type, Marc manages to capture the attention of Rebecca Ahn (Katie Chang) on his first day of class. The two immediately hit it off and become close friends as they indulge in their love of celebrity fashion and hang out at the trendiest Hollywood nightclubs. Marc is introduced to a world of crime as his new pal spends her nights brazenly swiping wallets and purses from those who are foolish enough to leave them in their unlocked cars. When Marc reveals to Rebecca that Paris Hilton will be out of town, she decides to up her game and pay a visit to the wealthy socialite's house. Armed with the hotel heiress' address thanks to a simple Google search, the two easily waltz into Hilton's home and start helping themselves to whatever money, clothing, and jewelry they can get their hands on. Flaunting their ill-gotten gains through social media, Marc and Rebecca invite Chloe Tainer (Claire Julien), as well as her homeschooled acquaintance Nicki Moore (Emma Watson) and her adopted sister Sam (Taissa Farmiga), on their next incursion to Hilton's house. As the group widens their net and begin targeting other celebrities—from Audrina Patridge to Lindsay Lohan—they quickly become caught up in their own material excess, with their burgeoning notoriety blinding them from their impending arrests.

Many of the complaints surrounding "The Bling Ring" have centered on the story's 'shallow' and 'skin-deep' exploration of its characters but isn't that the point of the film—for art to imitate life? To call this group of people 'repulsive' would be a massive understatement and what's worse is that there's no redemption waiting for them at the end of the road. Coppola has always had an affinity for wayward individuals, whether they'd be teenagers or adults, and here she skillfully meshes the insecurities of adolescence with a culture that obsessively worships fame and materialism. She even throws in a subtle jab at how kids today are often hopped up on drugs like Adderall, in addition to cocaine and Oxycodone. The very idea of 'success' is now defined by how many 'things' you have, with how you get them disconnected from any sense of morality whatsoever. In fact, bad behavior is even celebrated, as Marc points out late in the film when he comments on the irony of people creating a fan page of him, putting the teen on a pedestal for stealing. "The Bling Ring" also accurately captures the ubiquity of social media as everyone constantly take pictures of themselves (they're called 'selfies') and upload them online in an attempt to one-up their peers. The thought of fingering themselves in their own crimes doesn't even occur to them. There's a curious dichotomy at play here where the characters hold the celebrities they burglarize from in contempt but they don't steal out of hate; they steal because, as Rebecca so eloquently puts it, 'it's Chanel.' The scene that really best represents the film as a whole is when Rebecca steps into Lindsay Lohan's bedroom and sprays the actress' perfume on her neck in a slow-motion shot. You quickly sense a creepy vibe. After all, these people are invading their victim's privacy, casually rifling through their belongings and even wearing them. It turns "The Bling Ring" into a nightmare as it shows the ugly side of upper and middle-class teenage life through the lens of a morally bankrupt culture.

Impeccably shot by the late Harris Savides and Christopher Blauvelt, Coppola doesn't render any judgment on this group of thieves and even empathizes with them somewhat. Each of the robberies are depicted in a matter-of-fact manner, with the director utilizing lengthy takes and some interesting visual flourishes like a single-shot sequence where Marc and Rebecca break into Audrina Patridge's home and begin stuffing their bags full of valuables as they move from room to room, the lights dimming as they leave. The eclectic soundtrack also deserves attention, with the immersive opening credits set to a montage of close-ups showing designer clothing and jewelry while Sleigh Bells' blaring Crown on the Ground plays in the background. It isn't billed as a comedy but there are several laughs to be had such as Nicki's airheaded mom Laurie (Leslie Mann) home-schooling her children with lessons based on Rhonda Byrne's 2006 self-help film "The Secret," back when it was still in vogue. The robbery scenes themselves are rather fascinating—in the same way train-wrecks are fascinating. These characters walk into other people's homes and behave like they're in a shopping mall. Nicki and Sam even fight over a dress! Moments such as these have a hypnotic, intoxicating quality to them, and probably explain why reality shows like "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" are so compelling to some people.

The cast, largely composed of newcomers, do a great job in their individual roles. Israel Broussard is sympathetic as Marc, a gay teen who desperately wants to belong, although it still doesn't absolve him of his actions. Katie Chang's Rebecca is bit of cipher in regards to her motivations but the actress is convincing as the manipulative ringleader. Seeing her fall apart when the authorities discover all the valuables she stole was certainly priceless. Emma Watson, who has been a major focus in the film's marketing campaign, is given smaller role than what the advertisements would have you believe yet she's the one who makes the most memorable impression. For ninety minutes, I was completely convinced that Watson really was some slack-jawed, glassy-eyed bimbo. Notice the way she says 'I want to rob.' It is without any irony at all and her imitation of Neiers' vacuous 'Valley Girl' accent is dead-on. Rounding out the cast is Taissa Farmiga and Claire Julien, both of whom feel somewhat underserved by the film's story.

Released on June 14, 2013, "The Bling Ring" has received lukewarm reviews with 60% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics noted that it was 'certainly timely and beautifully filmed, [but it] suffers from director Sofia Coppola's failure to delve beneath the surface of its shallow protagonists' real-life crimes.' I don't really agree with that last part because there isn't any profound reason as to why these characters chose to steal. They did what they did out of boredom and entitlement. Compared to her previous film, "The Bling Ring" is definitely a vast improvement and while its subject matter isn't for everyone, Sofia Coppola has crafted a provocative and fascinating picture that holds a mirror to our own cultural decay.

Final Rating: 4 out of 5

"Come on. Let's go to Paris'. I want to rob!"