THE BLING RING (2013) passes the Bechdel Test and flunks about every test thats vital for a movie. The fifth film by Sofia Coppola is based on a Vanity Fair article by Nancy Jo Sales titled The Suspect Wore Louboutins. The source material isnt as challenging as THE VIRGIN SUICIDES, but its not TWILIGHT either, so its disappointing that Coppola seems to be phoning this in. Its a diet cola crime drama about material obsessive teens from the San Fernando Valley plundering the closets of Paris Hilton and other minor league celebrities in L.A. before authorities close in. Not the crime of the century, but if the amateur thieves had any irreverence, self-awareness or sense of urgency about themselves, those qualities never appear on screen. Emma Watson, eager to work with Coppola, fills a wasted supporting role. Katie Chang makes a bold impression as the character who ends up with the most screen time, but the material barely keeps a pulse for 90 minutes and doesnt offer roles for actors who mightve been able to help. The movie seemed like a TV show that the characters in PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER (2012) wouldve had playing in the background, ignoring, while doing something in the foreground pertaining to life.
Posted on: Fri, 16 May 2014 02:58:40 +0000