Title: The Bling Ring
Directed By: Sofia Coppola
Starring: Israel Broussard, Katie Chang, Emma Watson, Taissa Farmiga, Georgia Rock, Leslie Mann, Gavin Rossdale
“The Bling Ring” isn’t as slick as “Spring Breakers,” but it benefits from a boost in credibility courtesy of its outrageous factual source material.
Being the new kid at school isn’t much fun for Marc (Israel Broussard) until he crosses paths with Rebecca (Katie Chang). She immediately takes him under her wing, introducing him to her friends, bringing him to parties, and giving him something he’s always craved, a true best friend, so when Rebecca suggests they sneak into Paris Hilton’s house while she’s away, Marc follows right behind. What starts out as innocent albeit very illegal fun turns into a risky habit, Marc, Rebecca, and their friends Nicki, Sam, and Chloe (Emma Watson, Taissa Farmiga, Claire Julien) returning to Hilton’s home and “shopping” at Orlando Bloom, Rachel Bilson, Lindsay Lohan, Megan Fox, and Audrina Patridge’s places, too, ultimately accumulating over $3 million in stolen high-end goods.
Just like the Bling Ring’s obsession with celebrity culture, and the world’s for that matter, the concept of a group of kids breaking into A-listers’ homes, enjoying a grand tour, sorting through their personal property and taking what they want has a reprehensible charm to it. Trouble is, if you walk into “The Bling Ring” blind, the introductory material might not be engaging enough to carry you through to the action.
Marc is our main man. There’s something innocent and sweet about him, but he’s also painfully superficial, too. While he does seem to have a decent head on his shoulders, writer-director Sofia Coppola is a little heavy handed when it comes to highlighting Rebecca’s toxicity, leaving you wondering what Marc sees in her rather than understanding why he might succumb to the prowess of a popular girl. But even then, both Broussard and Chang manage to deliver strong enough performances that you’re still well aware of the wheels turning in their heads, making the film a little more thoughtful and not just a lengthy music video or sketch trying to pass as a feature narrative.
Nicki and Sam are another story. These two are reprehensible through and through. They’re snotty towards Nicki’s mother (Leslie Mann), are totally self-centered, shallow, and reckless. Both are entirely one-dimensional and experience no arc whatsoever, but in Watson’s case it works because she’s Emma Watson. While every other member of the Bling Ring is an up and coming young actor, in real life, Watson could very well have been someone the Bling Ring might target. While it does take away from the illusion, it’s still a highly effective and entertaining casting choice.
And that’s really what “The Bling Ring” is overall, mindless entertainment and nothing more, and in that sense, it works. Who cares if these characters are almost entirely unlikable, feel like caricatures, and don’t seem to learn a single thing from the experience? It’s a blast watching them essentially ruin their lives for the sake of a thrill and fancy pair of sunglasses. Coppola does manage to spice things up further with some novelty shot choices, a stand out of which is one that chronicles Rebecca and Marc’s exploit in Patridge’s home through a single extreme wide shot. Coppola also opts to highlight the film’s catchy soundtrack through a number of music video-esque montages and while they’re all notably absorbing, she falls short of matching Harmony Korine’s handle on the style.
It isn’t necessarily fair to go on comparing “The Bling Ring” to “Spring Breakers,” but considering the two share so many similarities and arrived so close to one another, it’s impossible not to keep connecting the dots. Points to “The Bling Ring” for its factual source material, more demanding performances, and a properly formatted script, but it’s glaringly obvious that Korine has a better grasp on this type of material and tone compared to Coppola. That’s not to say Coppola doesn’t put forth some notable achievements in “The Bling Ring,” but when considering the ups and downs of both films, it’s easy to recognize that “The Bling Ring” didn’t achieve its full potential and that Korine might have been the guy to get it there.
But there’s no point in wishing or wondering now. “The Bling Ring” is due for a limited release on June 14th and if you’re looking to watch “Spring Breaks” with characters that could have come from “My Super Sweet 16” rob celebrities to a soundtrack similar to the one in “Project X,” you’ll be satisfied.
Technical: B+
Acting: B+
Story:
Overall: B+
By Perri Nemiroff
