I have a problem with most of the comments saying they didn't like the movie because the characters didn't evolve or weren't likable. Guess what, that was the point. Characters don't have to be likable or evolve for a movie to make it's point and still be enjoyable. I really liked it and it gave an in depth look at how even the "normal" people can still lack depth just like the celebs can.
I didn't enjoy this. The characters are obnoxious and unlikable (I can't remember the last time I watched a movie where I loathed every single person in it this much), the story is incredibly repetitive (celebrity gossip scene, club scene, robbery scene, repeat for literally the entire movie), nothing has any meaning whatsoever, character development is completely lacking, the dialogue is vomit-inducing, the acting is mostly over-the-top and almost strays unintentionally into parody territory (particularly from Watson, who I usually like a lot), and the font is Comic Sans.
I get that all this was very deliberate to convey the emptiness of the Bling Ring and celebrity worship culture in general, but that doesn't make the movie any more watchable or entertaining. A few well-structured shots (the long take of the Audrina Patridge house robbery stood out in particular) don't make up for generally lazy cinematography and editing, and Broussard's strong lead performance unfortunately couldn't save the movie in my opinion.
Spring Breakers got the same point across much more effectively than this.
I had a more favourable impression of the movie than camizzle but I think all of her criticisms are quite valid, especially regarding Coppola's usual style of filmmaking being somewhat at odds with this story. It is yet to be seen if Watson can hold up as an a-list actor; she seems miscast in this role, which could have benefited from a bit more subtlety. I think Coppola definitely nailed the fetishism of celebrity lifestyles and especially the allure of beautiful objects, and the vacancy of pursuing them. However that vacancy seems to envelop the entire film and its cast. The characters seem to be empty vessels trying to fill themselves with things, and there is little in the way of development. The one exception is Israel Broussard, who was somewhat relatable and helped to hold a rather sparse film together.
Still, I think it's worth watching, and an interesting story for all its flaws.
this isn't a movie that will make you love the characters. on the contrary - you will loathe them and this seems to be the main goal. we see what the young generation has turned into thanks to yellow press, all the Paris Hiltons and Lindsay Lohans and co.
This would be my least favorite Sofia Coppola movie. But don't get me wrong, this is not a bad movie. I guess the initial repetitive scenes of robbing, partying and shopping make it look like a teenage trash movie. Well thats what the subject of the movie is about anyways.
The movie shifts gear and gets serious in the last 30 mins thats more enjoyable to watch. I would give this a 6.8/10.
Marc Hall (Israel Broussard) arrives to a new school as the dreaded new kid. Not originally from L.A., he's easily picked out as "the new kid" and lightly ostracized. He's shy and he's had trouble in the past regarding anxiety so it looks like a pretty hopeless situation. He's befriended by Rebecca Ahn (Katie Chang) who helps him fit in and guides him towards appreciating fashion, the local nightlife as well as celebrity culture. Marc also gets towed along for the ride when it comes to Rebecca's more criminal endeavors like robbing unlocked parked cars. From then on, things spiral out of control when Rebecca's obsession with celebrities leads to even more thievery.
Review
It's pretty clear that Sofia Coppola has a real talent for filming. She's blessed with a family of movie makers who I'm sure were able to teach her a thing or two but all the same, Sofia deserves some credit. The mise-en-scène as a whole is well done. Paris Hilton gave Sofia Coppola permission to actually film in her house for the movie and what a treat those scenes are. It seems like every fashion designer is represented in The Bling Ring and the excess of L.A. is well on display. The 2008-2009 time period also looks convincing, down to the heavy use of Blackberry phones. The film also raises the question about how can people who are so famous and rich be so lax about security? Leaving a door unlocked when you intend to be away for an extended period of time? Wow.
The Bling Ring can be seen as a bit of a satire of L.A. excess and celebrity worshiping in general. Emma Watson's character Nicki is probably the best example of this. It's absolutely marvelous to see how full of herself her character really is. Her valley girl accent is well put on and I think she succeeds in rising above being a simple side show for the movie which I feared would be the case.
Marc Hall and Rebecca Ahn are the most explored characters though. Sadly, there wasn't enough exploration if you ask me. Marc and Rebecca's actions are explained through some cutting back and forth from an interview with a psychologist that fails to really reach a satisfying amount of depth. There could've been more, for Rebecca especially. Rebecca is the prime catalyst as to why these house break-ins happened and I don't think she's delved into enough here.
As a result of the failure to really go inside the characters' heads, The Bling Ring does at times feel like it's more style than substance. Celebrity house break-in scene followed by a partying scene. Rince, wash and repeat. The whole satirical nature of the movie comes across very easily but there's just a lack of any real character exposition.
For one thing, I would've really liked to see more involving Rebecca betraying Marc near the conclusion which would've been really juicy to see.
The Bling Ring is an interesting movie to be sure but falls short in terms of character exposition. It's definitely pretty to look at and it has some mild but all the same interesting social commentary. I also like the quiet satire of the L.A./valley girl celebrity-chasing culture that Sofia is able to get across. The young leads are effective in their roles but it's definitely Emma Watson who steals the show. With a great score and some sparkly energy, TBR is a pretty good watch.
Having watched the reality show "Pretty Wild" about 3 times I was pretty excited to see this. Unfortunately, this movie was terrible. It lacked SO MUCH. It was interesting to see how a few of the lines and scenes were straight out of the reality show, but sadly, they almost made the movie a little bit worse. Don't waste your time one this and instead indulge on "Pretty Wild".
I find it really good. The idea of it, the message behind all the "superficial" stuff its actually our 21 century society. The young people of nowdays are dying for be like the "celebrities", the rich and famous. Its exactly what the film shows us. It's by far way better than Spring Breakers, since both have almost the same theme but different plots/situations. This one it's something real that actually happened, its a true story and a crime. Of course it's not the best film I've ever seen, but it's definitely watchable and good. Emma Watson its just hilarious. 8/10
I think the idea of this film is great, it's just lacking the direction and structure Sofia Coppola normally gives us (Somewhere, Lost in Translation). This film gets repetitious and the characters doesn't evolve - they don't give us much. Which might have been intentional as a critic to a society and "day and age", but still you have to give the audience someone to chair for. The characters acts as artifical as the celebrities being portrayed in the film (Rachel Bilson, Audrena Patridge, Paris Hilton, Megan Fox etc). Could have been something good. Personally I also missed the emphasizing on style that Sofia normally gives us.
Dear Emma, you just tried too hard in this boring workpiece of Sophia Coppola. And others too. Pretty faces but none of the characters would be memorable.
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 15 of 26
taylorannephotography
I have a problem with most of the comments saying they didn't like the movie because the characters didn't evolve or weren't likable. Guess what, that was the point. Characters don't have to be likable or evolve for a movie to make it's point and still be enjoyable. I really liked it and it gave an in depth look at how even the "normal" people can still lack depth just like the celebs can.CSSCHNEIDER
Feels like an assignment; devoid of passion, empty but delivered on time.lachyas
I didn't enjoy this. The characters are obnoxious and unlikable (I can't remember the last time I watched a movie where I loathed every single person in it this much), the story is incredibly repetitive (celebrity gossip scene, club scene, robbery scene, repeat for literally the entire movie), nothing has any meaning whatsoever, character development is completely lacking, the dialogue is vomit-inducing, the acting is mostly over-the-top and almost strays unintentionally into parody territory (particularly from Watson, who I usually like a lot), and the font is Comic Sans.I get that all this was very deliberate to convey the emptiness of the Bling Ring and celebrity worship culture in general, but that doesn't make the movie any more watchable or entertaining. A few well-structured shots (the long take of the Audrina Patridge house robbery stood out in particular) don't make up for generally lazy cinematography and editing, and Broussard's strong lead performance unfortunately couldn't save the movie in my opinion.
Spring Breakers got the same point across much more effectively than this.
the3rdman
I had a more favourable impression of the movie than camizzle but I think all of her criticisms are quite valid, especially regarding Coppola's usual style of filmmaking being somewhat at odds with this story. It is yet to be seen if Watson can hold up as an a-list actor; she seems miscast in this role, which could have benefited from a bit more subtlety. I think Coppola definitely nailed the fetishism of celebrity lifestyles and especially the allure of beautiful objects, and the vacancy of pursuing them. However that vacancy seems to envelop the entire film and its cast. The characters seem to be empty vessels trying to fill themselves with things, and there is little in the way of development. The one exception is Israel Broussard, who was somewhat relatable and helped to hold a rather sparse film together.Still, I think it's worth watching, and an interesting story for all its flaws.
kellyoung
This feels like Coppola wrote a story with placeholders for the characters and forgot to go back and add the actual characters.Vesohag
As always with Sofia Coppola, it's an "almost-a-movie".Reira-chan
this isn't a movie that will make you love the characters. on the contrary - you will loathe them and this seems to be the main goal. we see what the young generation has turned into thanks to yellow press, all the Paris Hiltons and Lindsay Lohans and co.filmyjo
This would be my least favorite Sofia Coppola movie. But don't get me wrong, this is not a bad movie. I guess the initial repetitive scenes of robbing, partying and shopping make it look like a teenage trash movie. Well thats what the subject of the movie is about anyways.The movie shifts gear and gets serious in the last 30 mins thats more enjoyable to watch. I would give this a 6.8/10.
CinemaDump
SynopsisMarc Hall (Israel Broussard) arrives to a new school as the dreaded new kid. Not originally from L.A., he's easily picked out as "the new kid" and lightly ostracized. He's shy and he's had trouble in the past regarding anxiety so it looks like a pretty hopeless situation. He's befriended by Rebecca Ahn (Katie Chang) who helps him fit in and guides him towards appreciating fashion, the local nightlife as well as celebrity culture. Marc also gets towed along for the ride when it comes to Rebecca's more criminal endeavors like robbing unlocked parked cars. From then on, things spiral out of control when Rebecca's obsession with celebrities leads to even more thievery.
Review
It's pretty clear that Sofia Coppola has a real talent for filming. She's blessed with a family of movie makers who I'm sure were able to teach her a thing or two but all the same, Sofia deserves some credit. The mise-en-scène as a whole is well done. Paris Hilton gave Sofia Coppola permission to actually film in her house for the movie and what a treat those scenes are. It seems like every fashion designer is represented in The Bling Ring and the excess of L.A. is well on display. The 2008-2009 time period also looks convincing, down to the heavy use of Blackberry phones. The film also raises the question about how can people who are so famous and rich be so lax about security? Leaving a door unlocked when you intend to be away for an extended period of time? Wow.
The Bling Ring can be seen as a bit of a satire of L.A. excess and celebrity worshiping in general. Emma Watson's character Nicki is probably the best example of this. It's absolutely marvelous to see how full of herself her character really is. Her valley girl accent is well put on and I think she succeeds in rising above being a simple side show for the movie which I feared would be the case.
Marc Hall and Rebecca Ahn are the most explored characters though. Sadly, there wasn't enough exploration if you ask me. Marc and Rebecca's actions are explained through some cutting back and forth from an interview with a psychologist that fails to really reach a satisfying amount of depth. There could've been more, for Rebecca especially. Rebecca is the prime catalyst as to why these house break-ins happened and I don't think she's delved into enough here.
As a result of the failure to really go inside the characters' heads, The Bling Ring does at times feel like it's more style than substance. Celebrity house break-in scene followed by a partying scene. Rince, wash and repeat. The whole satirical nature of the movie comes across very easily but there's just a lack of any real character exposition.
The Bling Ring is an interesting movie to be sure but falls short in terms of character exposition. It's definitely pretty to look at and it has some mild but all the same interesting social commentary. I also like the quiet satire of the L.A./valley girl celebrity-chasing culture that Sofia is able to get across. The young leads are effective in their roles but it's definitely Emma Watson who steals the show. With a great score and some sparkly energy, TBR is a pretty good watch.
Rating
6.5/10
suzybishop
Having watched the reality show "Pretty Wild" about 3 times I was pretty excited to see this. Unfortunately, this movie was terrible. It lacked SO MUCH. It was interesting to see how a few of the lines and scenes were straight out of the reality show, but sadly, they almost made the movie a little bit worse. Don't waste your time one this and instead indulge on "Pretty Wild".jamesdeans
I find it really good. The idea of it, the message behind all the "superficial" stuff its actually our 21 century society. The young people of nowdays are dying for be like the "celebrities", the rich and famous. Its exactly what the film shows us. It's by far way better than Spring Breakers, since both have almost the same theme but different plots/situations. This one it's something real that actually happened, its a true story and a crime. Of course it's not the best film I've ever seen, but it's definitely watchable and good. Emma Watson its just hilarious. 8/10Wolftooth
I think the idea of this film is great, it's just lacking the direction and structure Sofia Coppola normally gives us (Somewhere, Lost in Translation). This film gets repetitious and the characters doesn't evolve - they don't give us much. Which might have been intentional as a critic to a society and "day and age", but still you have to give the audience someone to chair for. The characters acts as artifical as the celebrities being portrayed in the film (Rachel Bilson, Audrena Patridge, Paris Hilton, Megan Fox etc). Could have been something good. Personally I also missed the emphasizing on style that Sofia normally gives us.Hippiemans
Hated the soundtrack but liked the film. Perhaps not very memorable but I really enjoyed watching it.mandapuspi
Dear Emma, you just tried too hard in this boring workpiece of Sophia Coppola. And others too. Pretty faces but none of the characters would be memorable.Marovan
I love how all of the characters are so thoroughly despicable.Showing items 1 – 15 of 26