I was lucky enough to catch an advanced screening of Sofia Coppola‘s “The Bling Ring”. Sofia Coppola is a great writer and director, and knows how to make a masterpiece, which she has done so with “The Bling Ring”. The film is actually based on a true story and makes for a very interesting plot and script. The story is true but the names have been changed. I’m not sure why this was done, but with enough research, it is not hard to determine which characters represent whom from the true story. Perhaps because I’m Australian and not exactly celebrity obsessed, I was not aware that any of these burglaries actually took place until the release of this film.
Inspired by actual events, the story follows a group of fame-obsessed teenagers that use the internet to track celebrities’ whereabouts, their belongings and their homes in order to rob them of their riches. Morally wrong and illegal, but genius.
Despite the trailers and teaser footage, Emma Watson is not the main character in this film. Although she plays an important character, she is not the lead role. The film actually follows Israel Broussard‘s character “Marc Hall” who attends a new school and ends up befriending “Rebecca Ahn” played by Katie Chang, and her friends “Chloe Tayner” played by Claire Julien, “Nicki Moore” played by Emma Watson and “Sam Moore” played by Taissa Farmiga. For many of these actors “The Bling Ring” is their first feature film, or their first acting role. I was very impressed by the entire cast with their acting, but was mostly impressed by Katie Chang, Israel Broussard and Emma Watson in their roles.
Marc actually is quite innocent at first, but then soon finds himself enticed into stealing expensive celebrity possessions with his new friends. Although probably more morally aware than the rest of his group, Marc still follows through, and we follow how these burglaries have an impact on the media, entertainment and their lives.
Paris Hilton who was one of the real life victims to this event makes a cameo in this film and lent her actual house for the filming of this movie to help make the film more authentic.
Overall, I felt that “The Bling Ring” was really well done. The acting is superb, the story is great and the victims are real. The film is well passed and kept viewing on the edge of their seat every step of the way. Not many films can do that these days.
Is this what happens when teenagers have an over exposure to celebrities and their reality TV shows? I’m not sure. But what I can say is that this is a brilliant film regardless of truth or not, and definitely worth the watch. In Melbourne, the film is exclusive to Cinema Nova and is to be released on August 8th.