The Florida Project is excellent at giving a glimpse into effects of poverty and parental neglect on children. However, it explores the topic in an honest and forthright way never softening things or succumbing to melodramatic posturing.
The film stars Willem Dafoe as Bobby, a rundown motel manager, Brooklyn Kimberly Prince as a stereotypical six-year-old named Moonee, and Bria Vinaite as Halley, her irresponsible mother. Interestingly, the film does not shy away from focusing on the adventures of Moonee and her friends as they are largely left unsupervised to run around and play during the day, even if these events do little to affect the larger narrative. A standout is the child acting and dialogue which is both realistic and not annoying. These scenes evoke a kind of nostalgia for childhood and the joy of having no responsibilities and seemingly endless time. The summer days that Moonee spends getting ice cream and playing hide and seek remind us of similar moments from our own childhood. These scenes also create a contrast between the childlike innocence of Moonee and serious real world that her mother cannot seem to cope with. Halley, played by Bria Vinaite gives a strikingly good performance as the derelict mother of Moonee. Her character is immensely tragic because, while her love of Moonee is not in doubt, she lacks the strength to take responsibility for her shortcomings and work to improve herself, making it impossible for her to care for her child. Rather than framing Halley as this evil villain, the movie takes a neutral view leaving the audience feel more sadness than anger as she spirals out of control. The film takes this angle to its conclusion to bring up potent moral and ethical questions about the protection and raising of children. Willem Dafoe also plays a large role in the film and adds some much-needed optimism to the story. In short, he represents everything good that Halley does not. Bobby is hardworking, honest, and takes accountability for his mistakes. He does not shy away from problems but confronts them head on and always acts with integrity. Dafoe also instills the character with a mild toughness that one could expect from a landlord that constantly has to deal with the low-class inhabitants of his motel. The Florida Project, at its core is a tragedy which makes it hard to watch as the plot goes forward. I expect the characters and subject matter hit home for a lot of people who have experience with family members or friends represented in the movie. While I it isn’t the kind of film I would watch again, The Florida Project is a superb film and a reminder of the simple tragedies that happen in the real world and effect real people.