The Bling Ring

 

Directed by Sofia Coppola

With Katie Chang, Israel Boussard, Clarie Jullen, Taissa Famiga and

Emma Watson

 

A most timely crime drama, “The Bling Ring” tells the story of celebrity-obsessed teens in the Hollywood hills who go on shopping sprees by burglarizing the homes of celebrities. 

You probably read about or have seen news coverage about the thefts that took place in 2008-2009. It’s all true.

The group of five wayward 16-year-olds included Marc (Isreal Boussard), Chloe, (Claire Jullen), Nik i(Emma Watson), Sam (Taissa Farminga) and ringleader Rebecca (Kathe Chang). 

They followed the social/celebrity media on the Internet and knew when their victims would be out of town. Believe it or not, some of the celebrities, which included Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Orlando Bloom, and Megan Fox, left their keys under the front doormat.

Once inside the homes, the gang would stuff clothing, jewelry and shoes into duffle bags, often spending time marveling at the lavishness of their victims’ homes. For example, Paris Hilton had giant silk cushions emblazoned with her photos in her ‘nightclub room.’ Actual footage of the inside of Ms. Hilton’s house is used in “The Bling Ring,” and the characters are shown going through her real closet.

The teens would post photos of each other wearing the loot on the Internet. They spent most of the money they pilfered in L.A. Clubs or on drugs. They amassed $3,000,000 worth of plunder.

“The Bling Ring” is Sofia Coppola’s critique of materialism, teen amorality, weak parenting and the celebrity culture. The kids lead unmotivated lives, devoid of financial hardship. Without moral compasses, they feel they can get away with anything.  

And no matter how much they get, they want more. They spend their days watching TV reality shows (keeping up with the Kardashains!), looking at slick fashion magazines, and browsing gossip websites. The nights were for clubs and drugs. The robberies were “shopping expeditions” to them.

Unfortunately, these teens became outlaw heroes to many. Their admirers want to somehow be connected to the rich and famous.

Ms. Coppola does not analyze, explain or excuse her subjects’ behavior. Her approach is impartial. The parents are mostly absent in the film. The parents you do see are intimidated by their kids and do not question their behaviors.

The acting is right on target. There is not much depth to the teens: they are shown to be shallow, fame obsessed teens gorging themselves on other peoples’ possessions. They are not happy just being wealthy. They envy the super rich,

Finally, they do get arrested. They do a little time and pay some restitution to their victims. And now they have the celebrity they were seeking.

“The Bling Ring” is a disturbing chronicle of materialism gone berserk.

Sofia Coppola has nailed it.

 

FRANCES HA

 

Directed by Noah Baumbach

Written by Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig

With Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner, Adam Driver, and Grace Gummer

 

Greta Gerwig, who stars in “Frances Ha,” is like the puppy you always wanted to adopt. This beguiling film tells the story about a 27-year-old woman who is not quite ready for adulthood but too old for college.

Frances (Greta Gerwig) lives in New York with her best friend Sophie (Mickey Sumner). The film begins with a montage of the two of them doing laundry, fake fighting, watching movies in bed, smoking cigarettes on the fire escape, knitting and, mainly, laughing. This is female bonding at its best.

The sweet and rather clueless Frances dreams of being a dancer in spite of her questionable talent. She works as an apprentice for a small dance company. Frances never gives up chasing her dreams. It never occurs to her that she may fail. 

She is crushed when Sylvia announces that she is moving to a better apartment. Next Greta is cut out of the dance group. But, never bitter, she moves on with a childlike optimism.

She lives in a series of apartments, always with friends, never with her name on the lease. She is always agreeable, helpful, never a pessimistic note, but she messes things up for herself. After charging plane fare she cannot afford to her maxed credit card, she flies to Paris for a weekend. Because of her jet lag she takes a sleeping pill. And sleeps though the weekend.

“Frances Ha” feels like Woody Allen’s earlier films. It is shot in crisp black and white in locations throughout the city. And like so many of Allen’s characters, Frances is on a crusade to find herself.

 

Director Noah Baumbach is known for his indie films (“The Squid and the Whale,” “Greenberg”). Greta Gerwig is his girlfriend and this film mightily showcases her appeal. Her character is effervescent, always honest and hopeful, often very funny, always appealing. 

There is a lot of cigarette smoking in “Frances Ha,” which viewers might find disturbing. It would be unfortunate if this is a trend among the 20 somethings.

The film is really about a moment in life, a timeless tale about the joys and sadness of youth. “Frances Ha” is a delight that makes you feel hopeful about life (except for the smoking!). The meaning of “Ha” is revealed in the very last moment of the film. Only a scrooge could watch it without a feeling of delight.