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The Florida Project – 2017 Sean Baker
- Baker more than succeeds in making the location, Orlando, and the hotel a living breathing character into the film. It’s a full transportation into the world of the film
- Baker has proven to be a talented auteur giving voice to the poverty stricken and those on the fringes of society
- Beautiful photography- gaudy pastels and street signage—It reminds me a little of Wim Wenders’ Paris Texas though it doesn’t quite have Wenders (and I believe his DP was Mueller’s) photographical eye
- Also reminded me of last year’s American Honey though I found Andrea Arnold’s film to be the superior work… I think David Gordon Green’s George Washington is another and yet another is beasts of the southern wild. They all have some elements of the swirling romances of youth supremely captured
- There are really three fascinating stories going on… The largely depressing story of the mother who is struggling—this is often all we get in these sort of indie dramas. But we also have Willem Dafoe’s story/character caught in the middle and then of course Brooklynn Prince’s “moonee” child who is largely resilient and unbelievably happy. Baker shoots all three stories differently- quite brilliant
- This is description, not evaluation, but it’s a largely plotless indie-neorealism… my evaluation may come in with the last scene which breaks away from that—I’m still mulling it over by my initial reaction was that this was a unwelcomed break from form—not a huge problem with it—it just didn’t rub me the right way upon first blush
- I want a 2nd view before truly evaluating- for now I think it’s a high-end Recommend that isn’t quite up to the quality of a top 10 of the year film. It lacks the poetic sweeping visual style of Baker’s 2015 tangerine.
Drake2017-11-21T20:12:30-05:00
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@Drake- What are the Sean Baker films in the archives now?
@Lionel
2015- Tangerine
2017- The Florida Project
2021- Red Rocket
2024- Anora
@Drake- What was the grade for Anora?
@Lionel- just one viewing- but I have it listed as an HR for now
@Drake & @Malith – what did you both think of the ending of Anora?
@Harry- sort of snuck up on me- How about you Harry?
@Drake – I felt it packed a good visceral punch with the silent eerie cut to credits but the characterisation it went for was also not necessary for me.
@Harry- Unrelated but what is that photo in your profile.Is that a Monkey? Eating something?
@AP – simply that, yes
@Harry- Thank you Harry
My ranking of Sean Baker films
1. The Florida Project – HR
2. Red Rocket – HR
3. Anora – HR
4. Tangerine – HR
@Harry- sort of a compliment overall right? Because Tangerine is a very good film
@Drake – I think it’s an excellent filmography for a 21st century director. Certainly a very consistent voice and visual palette. Tangerine is indeed very good
Is Anora good, there’s so much award buzz about it.
@Drake-Have you seen other Baker films like Red Rocket, Starlet, Anora, Prince of Broadway and Take Out? The latter 3 are in the Criterion Collection.
I saw Anora. And had some time to think about it.
I’d say I was thoroughly entertained but I don’t think it’s his best work nor is it the best realisation of his trademarks we just said above.
The following things are observations and i don’t have problem with any single of these things.
First hour or so feels like a Sean Baker film then after that it gets more comedic than his usual fare. More structured. More of a plot appears than any other of his work. Colours are lost ( Vanya’s house). Gets more wordy.
I overall loved it. Mikey Maddison was really good here as well. Was very very funny. The second half almost plays like a high comedy. So good. Was a very easy watch.
My ranking of Sean Baker’s films:
1. The Florida Project – HR/MS
2. Tangerine – HR
3. Red Rocket – HR
4. Anora – HR
Now I’m really excited for Eggers’ Nosferatu. I’ll rewatch other three of his films as well.
@Drake- what did you think of the ending this time? I didn’t like it.
@M*A*S*H- The ending is a miss
It’s a better film for me if it ended on a hard hitting sad note. But Baker probably wanted to show the magical nature of childhood in the ending.
@Drake- it’s great that you’ve changed the verdict on this film. I think it’s perfect. It’s a HR/ MS level film. I’m watching Anora tomorrow and I’ve decided to revisit The Florida Project.
Baker is a style plus director isn’t he? He creates his own world with a specific colour design/ scheme, specific camera movements & shots and a particular type of story and protagonist.
He’s an auteur, I wish he ends up in your list. He’s up there with Eggers, Aster, Gerwig, Safdies, Kogonada, Shults, Lowry as the new generation of great auteurs (A24 pack).
Unlike these he’s a realist (Chloe Zhao as well). Really rare to see an auteur who’s style along with everything is really rooted in realism. Quite special.
I have a question @Drake, does Willem Dafoe qualify as one of the best acting performances of 2017? I think he should, he’s the heart of the film- he’s the show here acting wise. Got Oscar nominated for this.
@M*A*S*H- He’s certainly an auteur- but a style plus director is a different animal – but I agree with the realism distinction.
Dafoe just misses still on list of the best male performers of 2017
@Drake- I’ve started to understand film style. It’s what we call in literature terms as “ornamental”. Baker is not necessarily as ornamental in his storytelling as Eggers or giants such as Scorsese or PTA but he sure has his unique style and voice. A Sean Baker film feels and looks like a Sean Baker film.
About Dafoe. Do you mean he’s one of the best performances of 2017 but misses a mention on your page? Would he get a mention when you update the page with this film as HR/MS?
@M*A*S*H- Good work here- I just wonder if Baker’s films look and feel a certain way because of his style? or because of the content he chooses?
Dafoe will not get a mention on an updated page for 2017- its too slight a role in too slight a film still.
I’m gonna chime in here and say that his films feel a certain way because of his artistic choices. There are plenty of American indie directors who do social dramedies and their films don’t have the same vibe. Baker’s films have a distinct aura. Content helps, sure, but it’s not just that. He definitely has his own voice.
@rxaxp- Thanks for chiming in- I was just posing the question. The good news is- if there is a stylistic “vibe” (a good word- I like that) from Baker that sets him apart- we will be able to break it down into cinematic specifics and point to it in the actual text. If we can’t … he doesn’t.
@Drake- he’s more than just a content based director. His trademarks are editing (he’s absolutely one of the best editors), big splashy color design (say that the poetic realism of the Florida project doesn’t work without the purple and no director but Baker is making that choice), hand held camera all told through realism and specific content for sure.
As I said before, colors+ specific editing+ hand held camera doesn’t equate to the cinematic ornamentation in say a film like Blow Out . But Baker subtly distinguishes himself.
As of Dafoe, i liked him more in the second viewing. I’m a fan of his for sure but his work here is subtle, sparse and minimalistic and he has less screen time but he’s so solid here. Adds to film, his portion doesn’t work without his contribution. This role may feel like less challenging (it’s very straight) but I actually cannot picture anyone else here.
@M*A*S*H- Haven’t seen Anora yet- but the strongest traits of The Florida Project (the splashy color design) and Tangerine (that roving hand held camera) do not carry over to the other films. The “one of the best editors” feels like a stretch but I admire your passion here.
“if there is a stylistic “vibe” from Baker that sets him apart- we will be able to break it down into cinematic specifics and point to it in the actual text. If we can’t … he doesn’t”
Oh, there definitely is. There’s a guy I follow on Twitter who actually uploaded a video on YouTube a couple of weeks ago discussing Baker’s films and what makes him a valuable director, and he made a few interesting points. Unfortunately I can’t share the video with you guys because the video is in Spanish.
I’m confused. Is this the only film you’ve reviewed from Baker? I’m kind of surprised, to be honest. He’s been one of the most acclaimed voices in American indie cinema for almost a decade now.
@rxaxp- there are about 1500 individual films reviewed on the site – so there are a lot of gaps. Right now there is only a page for The Florida Project. There’s a total of 3 (three) Baker films in the archives — and overall I’ve seen four (4) of his films. I have yet caught Anora yet- which I very much look forward to catching.
Interesting. Which one is not archiveable in your mind? I’ve seen five of his films and I really like his vision as an auteur. I would rate his films as follows:
Starlet – R
Tangerine – HR
The Florida project – MS
Red Rocket – HR/MS
Anora – HR/MS
@rxaxp- Starlet is the unarchiveable film– we’re very closer here overall though:
2015- Tangerine- HR
2017- The Florida Project- HR/MS
2021- Red Rocket- HR
@Drake – I’m going to see Anora tomorrow. Never seen a Sean baker film before so might do some catching up after…
@Harry – Nice – please report back
@Drake-Did you upgrade The Florida Project (2017)? I remember it rated as only R.
You’re right. We’re closer than I expected. I would argue that Starlet is archiveable if you see it in the context of his filmography as a whole. And we agree on TFP being his best effort so far.
By the way, where would you rank Brooklynn Prince’s in terms of best acting performances by a child actor in this century?