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!"
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