The Florida Project (2017)

Somewhere in the shadows of tourist traps and Walt Disney World is a story waiting to be told. An unconventional, unsettling story about childhood memories within a purple motel filled with the disaffected, forgotten members of American society. It is no place for a child to be raised, but that doesn't destroy the imagination that every child has. Even in the most desolate of areas, happiness can be found.

The Florida Project is a profound film. A feat of cinema-verite, reminiscent of The 400 Blows. The appropriate spiritual successor to Sean Baker's last film, Tangerine. It's another side of an overlooked portion of our population. Instead of the lives of transgender sex workers roaming the streets of L.A. we are introduced to a community of downtrodden, unemployed, poor folks trapped in the heart of American family tourism. They are more commonly known by wealthy americans as "white trash". The breakout star of the film is Brooklyn Prince as Moonee, a really bad little girl of sorts who lives an average childhood in a not so average world, of which she only knows. Her mother is a thief and a prostitute who has no business raising children of her own and by the end, the authorities let her know this. Willem Dafoe, in an outstanding turn, plays the manager of the motel. Almost akin to a father figure to all of these people, he keeps order with a stern grip. Dafoe is usually known for playing villains and sickos, so it's especially refreshing to see him play a genuinely decent guy.

Sean Baker has matured as a director, for sure. He explores this world with stunning cinematography. He even goes back to his smart-phone roots towards the end of the picture, in what is an incredible montage of the girls running into the Magic Kingdom to escape. This all came without the permission of the park. Now, we know why nothing is ever filmed at the "happiest place on earth". I hope Baker is met with celebration, not litigation.