Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Spring Breakers


Cinematically speaking, there’s nothing that turns me on more than the art of something new. A vision, while possibly drawing comparison to others, that remains wholly unique. A story I’ve never seen before, or, just as effectively, a story I’ve seen a hundred times, but now with a fresh spin. It’s no matter how the originality comes to be –through story, execution, tone –so long as it’s new. Give me something new, and I’ll give you my full appreciation.

And this is a tricky feat. For every filmmaker who attempts and achieves uniqueness, there are five who have tried admirably and failed. That’s the game. And, to add to the complexity, what I consider a new success is something you surely may not. “New” often lends itself to words like divisive and polarizing. At the very least, whether I end up liking or loathing an innovative vision, I certainly always welcome it.

I’m referring specially to the work of cult auteur Harmony Korine, whose films have received a gamut of critical attention (both ecstatic and lacerating) since he wrote the script for Kids when he was just 18. Since then, Korine has steadily asserted himself as a pioneer of American, guerilla-style, don’t-give-a-fuck cinema. His attitude is viewed as assured by his fans, and elitist by his detractors. His feature films deal with human beings at their worst –  most poor, most depraved, most lost and alienated. They’re raw, bold, and never fail to provoke discussion. I’ve liked some, been indifferent toward others, and appreciated them all. But it took Spring Breakers for me to finally fall in love.
Much like Korine’s influences of Herzog, Cassavetes, Godard, and Carax, plot matters little in the shadow of story and character. In the case of Spring Breakers, we have four college girls who want nothing more than to escape the mundaneness of their lives by going on spring break. Early in the film, the four girls (played by former Disney starlets Vanessa Hudgens and Selana Gomez; ABC Family star Ashley Benson; and Korine’s own wife, Rachel) sit in a bathroom stall and count the pennies they’ve saved. Despite their best efforts, they are far short of enjoying a week of debauchery. And this is the precise moment where I fell in love. Gomez slowly unleashes a monologue of such ill-advised adolescent accuracy – she cries and pleads (to herself, to her friends, to anyone) for this trip to work. Getting away, even for a week, is freedom. It’s exposing themselves to a world outside their own. Which, for anyone who has ever known or been a 19-year-old girl, understands that that is often a chief concern. 

So, in the grand context of things, we have a teenage girl whining about not being able to go on spring break. Nothing more. But what Gomez does with the scene (motivated by Korine’s perfect script) is make this trip seem like the last thing in the world to these girls. We really believe that they must go. It’s a delicate balance of teenaged want vs. need, and it is sold beautifully.

Once the trip is deemed essential, three of the girls, in what will surely be one of the most impressive film sequences of the year, rob a restaurant to secure funds. They hop on a bus and are off to St. Petersburg, Florida. And from there, they smoke, they coke, they drink – they spring break. (Side note: if you think the extended party sequences in this film are hyperbolic in any way, then that is nothing more than a reflection of how you spent your time at college. It may not have been your scene [or mine, for that matter], but it is indeed a scene. Trust me.)
A few days into their ruckus, the girls find themselves in lock up, forced to post bail or stay in the pen. Enter Alien (James Franco) a gold teeth-plated, gansgta-rapping thug who bails the ladies out, hoping to gain companionship. And that’s when Spring Breakers turns from a film about girls wanting to get wild, to actually discovering what wild really is. Alien is no wannbe thug. Dude has cash, dude has guns, dude has drugs, and dude is not afraid to flaunt it. In perhaps the film’s most memorable scene (and the one that is certain to remain a staple among contemporary quotable pop culture) Alien takes the girls around his Scarface-inspired bedroom and advises them to “Look at all my shit!”

If it sounds silly, that’s because Korine intends it to be. He’s the kind of guy who has James Franco sing a Britney Spears ballad, while crosscutting Alien and the girls robbing innocent ‘Breakers and getting away with it. He’s the guy who teeters so remarkably on the edge of absurd and melodrama, without ever falling over either way. He’s the guy who transitions most every scene with the sound of a cocking shotgun, who shoots a seemingly trashy spring break flick in gorgeous 35mm, who bathes his film in bright, florescent colors. He’s the guy who is so undeniably confident in his vision, that it’s impossible to deny his talent. You may not like Spring Breakers, but there’s no arguing that this is a man who knew exactly what he was doing.
Instead of dissecting James Franco’s filmography, it’s easiest to say that his acting often works, and often does not. In keeping with that brevity, I will say that Alien is the best performance James Franco has ever given. Easily. No contest. Once he enters the film, a shift occurs that will force viewers to take the film seriously or roll their eyes endlessly. You’ll either laugh with him or at him, but I implore you to examine the purpose in the former.

I cannot recall seeing the four female stars in anything. I knew who they were, but their talents were left unseen by me. With that noted, I don’t care what they’ve been in before, because based on the strength of their work here, these ladies can act. Particularly Hudgens and Benson, whose characters have false idealizations of “thug life” before finally, shockingly understanding what that life really entails. They depict the American Dream gone awry, and they do it with utter conviction.

Spring Breakers is the first film in months that I’ve rushed to see a second time. Problem is, I haven’t had the chance to revisit it since my first viewing. Which means it has been constant in my head since the minute its closing credits cued. I have some sort of false impression that once I watch it again, it will begin to gently escape my mind. But that’s wrong. Spring Breakers is here to stay. For better or worse, this is one we’re going to be talking about for a great long while. Of which I myself will benefit from greatly. A

59 comments:

  1. Happy to see you bubbling with praise for this one. Since I heard about Korine doing this film I've been intrigued, I just had no idea how much Disney-girls-gone-bad hype it would end up having (which all seems silly in the scheme of things, especially after reading your excellent review).

    Anything that revolves around the idiolised American dream always interests me for some reaosn. Whether it is in fiction, music, films, or any other kind of art form, its always a part of society - especially western society - that has confused me some, much like celebrity culture in a way (something else I find absurd yet intriguing). Looks like this film is definitely tapping into the shit I like, there.

    Also, Franco's performance is better than the one he did in Howl here? If so, then I HAVE to see this. As soon as possible.

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    1. Thanks for reading!

      Believe me, I was just as intrigued as you, and for the same reasons. There are so many reasons for this not to work (and it certainly won't for all) but, for me, everything clicks wonderfully.

      This film DEFINITELY taps into those themes that interest you. It is the personification of the falsity of the American Dream, and how it can go very wrong very quickly.

      I enjoyed Franco's work in Howl (not a fan of the movie, though). Same with his work in James Dean, Sonny, In the Valley of Elah, Milk, and 127 Hours... but he's never been like this before. Not even close. And that is a very very good thing.

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    2. No worries, Alex. I may not be commenting as much as usual on blogs in general, but I always am interested in what articles you've got on your blog (which I read whenever they pop up on my feed), so you have all the support from my end!

      Yes, yes - so glad to hear that! Making me more and more pumped to see the film. I need to find sometime to catch it in cinemas, but I work really ridiculous hours and have barely any money to spend. Da life, indeed.

      I really loved Howl, thought it captured that poem in ways I wouldn't have thought someone would have viewed it. Thought it worked really well, but I can understand gravitating to Franco's performance more than the whole film.

      James Dean was surprisingly good. Didn't think it would be, but it was. Milk, yes, he was great in that too. 127 hours was very hit and miss for me, didn't get into it as much as I could have, but he was good in it. As for Sonny, I've been meaning to watch that for ages - haven't heard of the other film you mentioned with taht, though.

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    3. Hey man, I just appreciate you stopping by and reading, period. Comments are a bonus, no doubt, but I am VERY gracious for you reading.

      "Da life..." I'm right there with you, my friend. Long hours, little sleep... da life.

      Believe it or not, In the Valley of Elah was actually the first film I reviewed on this blog. Great film about the most recent Iraq War. Franco has brief part in it, but he's effective.

      Save those pennies and see Spring Breakers if you can!!

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    4. No problem man, anytime. Your take on films - while I may not agree with you on some of your views, which is a good note for discussion, - is always unique, not to mention that you are also a great, competent writer!

      Think I'll have to check it out, sounds like something I'd like.

      My abbreviation of 'the' always comes in the form of 'da'. It has more of an affect somehow, especially describing the work/sleep pattern.

      Agreed, having to start saving the dough. *Ends up buying two copies of Bioshock Infinite and doesn't regret it*

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    5. Thanks so much for da compliments! Really made my day.

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  2. I'm still unsure about seeing this though I do like Harmony Korine having seen both Gummo and Julien-Donkey Boy. He's someone I need to catch up on though I wonder what he has to say.

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    1. I honestly think you'd like this one man. I would recommend it for you.

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  3. I was extremely surprised when I saw this film. I've been a long time admirer of Korine's mentality and work ethic, but had only seen Gummo before seeing this and was left on the fence by it. This film was really something and I thought it was totally unexpected and masterful. I watched his Mister Lonely almost immediately after I returned home from the theater and found it extremely boring for the most part (ambitious - but boring). So it really left me wondering why it was this film that struck me as being such a powerful work of art. As I was watching it I was saying to myself that it was as if Korine was making a movie with a Michael Bay aesthetic, but not in a bad way. It was overlit in several spots, frankly I thought Korine's wife's acting was about as good as a porn actress, and I thought Franco was hilarious (intentional or otherwise) - but all of it worked for me. Probably my biggest surprise this year by far.

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    1. Love hearing this. I agree that it is extremely puzzling as to why a film that should in no way work, does indeed work so well. I rewatched all of Korine's films over the weekend, and Mister Lonely is easily his biggest misfire. Very, very dull in my opinion. Does nothing for me. (Or him, for that matter. He's been vocal about not liking it.)

      Spring Breakers will definitely stand as one of the biggest and best surprises of the year for me.

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    2. I actually should have included his short in The Fourth Dimension as well because I saw that before seeing this as well and I guess it does short of hint at some of the more "modern" ideas on here. Check it out if you haven't seen it yet.

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    3. Sounds interesting. I'm on it. Thanks for the recommendation!

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    4. No problem, I hope you dig it. It's the best Val Kilmer performance in something like a decade or so.

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  4. ugh, i gave this an F on my site. It's like Korine has pulled the wool over critics' eyes and made them think stupidity is art. i'm not buying it.

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    1. And I wouldn't dare try to convince you otherwise. Like I said, divisive and polarizing. But if I may offer one thing, it would be that I seriously doubt Harmony Korine gives two shits what any critic thinks (or spends any of his time trying to deceive them). Or any person, for that matter. For better or worse, he makes films for himself, no one else.

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  5. I do not know who Korine is, is that terrible?:) I see on imdb he did Gummo - that one came up in few 'most disturbing things you've seen in films' discussions I heard.

    Wasn't Hudgens in Sucker Punch? Other than that I'm not familiar with these ladies either. I heard something about the music in the movie having Lynchian vibe to it and "Look at all my shit!" scene sounds hilarious, so I'll probably give it a shot, though I still don't understand the buzz around this film, I must be missing something.

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    1. Nah, not terrible at all. Truth be told, he's only made five feature films which have all been extremely low budget and often take on cult status years after they are released. They are hard to track down and very inaccessible. But he has a damn dedicated following, and they have been VERY vocal in their support for Spring Breakers. So that's kind of why it is exploding right now. That, and it's unique and fucking awesome.

      Gummo, Julien Donkey-Boy and Trash Humpers are very disturbing. Very raw, very poor, very white trash American.

      The music is, I suppose, Lynchian and times, and dubstep/trance rock bitchin' at other times. Like I said, this is a unique fuckin' movie.

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  6. This movie is so polarizing, which makes me want to see it even more. Oh, I am so catching this one soon.

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    1. So very polarizing. Catch it as soon as you can. Love it or hate it, you'll definitely be talking about it.

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  7. Considering I haven't yet seen anything directed by Korine that isn't low-budget Dogme style examinations of depravity (with the notable exception of Trash Humpers, which I'd kill to see but haven't yet), I am very excited to see this.

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    1. I think you'll dig it, but be warned, he made a conscious effort to step away from the Dogme style here. There's no doubt that Spring Breakers is a Harmony Korine flick, but Julien Donkey-Boy this is not.

      Sent you a Twitter DM about Trash Humpers... scope it!

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  8. Love the all or nothing response this film is getting. It opens here on Friday, we'll see what side I end up on.

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    1. We shall indeed. "All or nothing..." that is it exactly. Can't wait to hear what you think.

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  9. Good review my man. I loved what this flick had to say about the generation we live and the future to be, but sometimes not everything went so well for me. I've never cared for Korine at all, but this movie makes me hope that he will at least wake up, stop being such a weirdo, and begin making quality films that more people can see and relatively enjoy. Hopefully that happens.

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    1. Haha that's hilarious. I do think he's calmed down considerably since his Gummo/Donkey-Boy days, but I wouldn't be surprised if this is the most mainstream Korine film we ever see. The massive attention he's getting from this movie could very well scare him off. Or it could motivate him to do more of the same. We shall see!

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  10. Haven't got much to say here, but I've gotta see this. By the way, is there a review of 'Phil Spector' coming soon? Watching that tonight.

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    1. Shit man, I haven't had a shred of time to watch Mamet's latest, which is criminal. Need to watch it tonight as well. Thanks for reminding me.

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  11. Awesome! This looks like a film I can defend. I might see it tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to it.

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    1. Hell yeah man, I'd love to know what you think about it.

      Hope you're feeling better, my friend!

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    2. Thanks man. Yeah, feeling much better. I'm catching up on my blogroll now. ;)

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  12. I went into this film thinking I was going to hate it and I ended up really liking it and maybe even loving it. Great review.
    -Dan

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    1. Thanks Dan! Couldn't agree more - went in with hesitation, came out in adulation.

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  13. Loved it, I can't think of a more polarizing film in recent years, and I can totally understand why people would hate it. But man it was so much fun, just utter ridiculousness. That Britney Spears montage, man, completely brilliant moment.

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    1. I love that you loved it. And yeah, it's pointless to even attempt to argue with people who don't like this, because hell, it's understandable. That Spears montage will be remembered for a long, long time, I guarantee it.

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  14. Totally on your side with this one. Even though I knew what to expect going in I didn't REALLY know what to expect, if that makes any sense, and I was kind of taken aback by the quality and the way it did and said so much. And how sincere it was even though it's kind of ridiculous.

    "We really believe that they must go. It’s a delicate balance of teenaged want vs. need, and it is sold beautifully." That's a really good point. That really opens the movie up that much more in my mind.

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    1. Nice man. I agree that the beauty of the physical quality of the film forces you to look closer and take it seriously. It was absurd, but it knew it was absurd. I really enjoyed it. Will definitely be in my Top 10 by year's end.

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  15. Great write-up! I'm looking forward to seeing this when it's released in Australia (in May), but I'm making effort to investigate Korine's filmography beforehand. Going to definitely catch "Kids" and "Gummo" - are there any others you'd recommend?

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    1. Thanks man! Korine hasn't made many films, but most of them are hard to track down. IF you can find them, I'd recommend:

      Kids (keep in my that he only wrote this one)
      Gummo
      Julien Donkey-Boy
      Trash Humpers

      Those will give you a balance of his work, even though nothing can prepare you for Spring Breakers. The only feature of his I've left off is Mister Lonely, which I find dull, aimless and sadly rather pointless.

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  16. I had completely written this off and was so sure I wasn't going to see it. Now I'm really intrigued by it and actually do want to check it out. If nothing else, James Franco looks mental! Great review mate.

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    1. Thanks buddy! Dude, I had NO IDEA what to expect from this, but I really loved it. A film catered perfectly to my tastes. It's polarizing for sure, but if you dig it, you DIG it.

      Plus, Franco is a mad man, in the best possible way.

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  17. Awesome review! I'm so excited for this film! It comes out in the UK pretty soon, so I'm pumped!

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    1. Thanks! This damn movie blew me away. Will definitely be in my Top 10 of the year. Hope you enjoy it!

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  18. Spring Breeeeeeeeeeeak. Spring Breeeeeeeeeeeak. Spring Break FOREVA YA'LL!

    I've seriously had this film stuck in my head (like a damn Britney Spears song) since I saw it last week. Probably going to end up in best of the year list.

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    1. Shit yeah man. It was so new and bold and different. No doubt in my mind that it'll be in my Top 10. Loved it.

      (Also, how cool is it that I was reading your review when I saw that you posted this comment? The power of SPRANG BREAYYYYK.)

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  19. Wow I'm still cynical on this movie until you reviewed it. Must see it then! Thanks, Alex!

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    1. My pleasure! I can't promise that you'll like it, but I can guarantee that you've never seen anything remotely similar to it.

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  20. That's some mighty praise Alex. This is a film I've been intrigued by (and excited to see) since first hearing about/seeing the trailer. Looks like a fascinating piece of work that begs to be re-watched. Looking forward to it.

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    1. Yeah man, and I definitely don't aim to serve that praise lightly, you know? I truly think this will be one of the best films of 2013. Just not for everyone.

      Hope you dig it!

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  21. Excellent write up, I need to see this as I've been hearing polarising opinions on it.

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    1. Thanks man. I LOVE this movie, but certainly not everyone will. I've never seen anything like it.

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  22. I recently saw this, you should check out my thoughts on my blog.

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  23. I keep seeing review after review where people admire the artistic quality and originality/differentness of Spring Breakers. What about the fact that the acting was very so-so? It's all down to opinion really. I found the pace too slow, the acting too stilted and unbelievable, and the repetition extremely frustrating. Worst of all, it just came across as a generic club music video. While that is a different style for cinema, it's nothing new and revolutionary. The only scene I thought was pretty good was when they sang 'Everytime' by Britney Spears. That's when I started feeling a little bit of emotion, and that was only because I liked the song!

    Great review, I just can't see what you see in it :)

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    1. This one definitely split people. I actually thought the acting was perfect in the world that Korine created. I think some people viewed this movie too literally, which is certainly that the way it's meant to be taken. It's more like a teenage fever dream of American wealth.

      But either way, like you say, it all comes down to opinion. I do appreciate you stopping by and voicing yours in such a respectful way!

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  24. I had zero expectations for this movie when a friend came over and we were just looking for an entertaining movie to watch that evening.

    This movie literally blew me away, a movie that I won't forget the years to come.

    It was like an apple pie with a secret ingredient, you think you know it and it will be ok, but then it turns out to be really really good.

    Surprise of 2013 for me. Love it when a movie catches me off guard like that.

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    1. Oh hell yeah man, I love when a film surprises us. This one blew me away too. I never grow tired of it... so damn unique and funny. So glad you liked it!

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  25. Great review Alex. This is a movie I did not love the first time I watched it, but it made me want to revisit it and now it's my choice for movie of the Month over at The Lamb. I would greatly appreciate a vote from you.

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    1. Thanks buddy! I just voted for the film. Hope it wins! I'd love to write a new post about this film.

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