Tropic Sprockets / The Florida Project

By Ian Brockway

Director Sean Baker has another film to his credit and “The Florida Project” is as engaging and as heartfelt as his first feature “Tangerine.” With colorful and evocative cinematography that puts childhood and innocence at the center, the film is nothing less than a slice of life within the bright kitsch of Kissimee, Florida. Day Glo vibrating colors abound revealing situations and characters that are sinister yet quirky.

Moonie (Brooklynn Prince) is a six year old living with her single mom (Bria Vinaite) in a cheap motel near Disneyworld. Moonie spends her time accompanying mom selling knock off perfumes or stolen Disney passes, then she often walks with her friends Scooty (Christopher Rivera) and Jancey (Valeria Cotto).

Halley, Moonie’s mother, is not the wisest or most responsible parent but she truly loves her daughter, although her oversight lapses from time to time. Moonie does as kids usually do, exploring places they shouldn’t, like abandoned houses, but for the most part, she’s a good kid: glib, honest and eternally curious.

Though faced with some drear and boredom, Moonie is an engine, always open, inquisitive and ready. Her mom’s steady solicitation with men and goods doesn’t seem to faze her. The child may scamper away with Scooty and heckle for free ice cream, but Moonie always returns home to her shared small room.

The essence of this story is in its concept of childhood as a period of daring and resilience, imagination and joy. The children are refreshingly portrayed as edgy and mischievous and at times, even amoral, as they push against the status quo of an adult world. Every grown-up in the film is hard put with struggle one way or another. Halley is a hooker while her best friend Ashley (Mela Murder) is overworked in a lackluster job. Willem Defoe is a stressed out manager. Here, the gyroscope of play makes a compelling antidote and though this is by no means a downbeat film, it has the courage not to omit danger. Pale creeps wander among the fields and their pathetic qualities are shown along with their malignancy.

The young actor Prince in her debut role makes this film gripping and immediate. Her immersive performance reveals the magic of childhood in all of its transparency and her emotion hits with tears. Moonie is visceral, wild and wrenching bringing the core of what it is to be a kid, a unique time at once irreverent and free.

Sean Baker’s courage is a rare thing in film,choosing to show the full spectrum of human life, no matter be it one of youngsters or adults, either suburban or on the fringe of society.
“The Florida Project” is a brave study in drama throughout as bold in its imagery depicting life in saturated color as it is in meaning.

The clap of its ending is a real surprise and a testament to the willful optimism of each young person.

Write Ian at [email protected]

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