Sofia Coppola’s new film, “The Bling Ring,” is in theaters now and offers a chance to breathe amidst the high action, in-your-face explosions seen in “Man of Steel” and “White House Down.”
The movie is based on the true story of the Hollywood Hills Burglars who robbed houses of the rich and famous like Paris Hilton (at least five times), Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr, Rachel Bilson, and Lindsay Lohan, just to name a few.
The actors are great, portraying real life spoiled rich friends who got their kicks from “breaking” into celebrities mostly unlocked houses, trying on their clothes, and stealing their shoes, jewelry and clothes –– never enough to get noticed though.
That’s a rule Israel Broussard’s character, Marc, makes for the group as he is nervous about getting caught (and rightfully so).
However the others in the group like ringleader Rebecca (Katie Chang), tough girl Chloe (Claire Julien) and self-absorbed Nikki (an amazing Emma Watson) just don’t seem to care. “We’re in L.A.” Rebecca says to Marc after hearing a helicopter. “Don’t be such a little bitch!”
Coppola, who wrote, directed, and produced this movie, is incredible at her craft. She has won praises and awards for her other movies like “Lost in Translation” and “Marie Antoinette.” Her cinematography is clever and well placed.
In one of my favorite scenes (spoiler alert), you see Marc and Rebecca rob Audrina Patridge’s almost all glass house as if watching it happen from the top of a hill. You don’t hear them talk. You don’t see any close ups on what they are stealing. And all you can hear is the outdoor noise of the L.A. traffic. Watching this scene unfold, you almost feel like the teens will never get caught –– and you almost don’t want them too.
You’re along for the ride now –– breaking into houses with them, making money selling off stolen purses, and partying hard in the nightclubs with crazy amounts of cocaine.
But the ride’s got to end sometime.
Coppola does a great job of flashing between scenes of the investigations and trials of these fame-obsessed burglars to the many Gucci suitcases filled with stolen property hidden in closets and under beds.
It’s almost comical to see how quickly these characters would play the blame game to avoid going to jail. In one (spoiler alert) scene, Watson’s character tries passing the blame saying her friends pressured her into robbing only to have her contradict herself in the next sentence. “Let’s go to Paris,” goads Nikki. “I want to rob!”
What may be slow and boring for some may be just the refresher others need from an action heavy summer.
So if you’re stuck in between movies and want to try something new, go see “The Bling Ring.”
Caution: May cause some to feel the need to rob or at least do some excessive shopping.
I give it an A-.
