Starlet

One would think there's not much more to say about the empty life of druggy, fringy youth in L.A.'s San Fernando valley. But this film messes with our expectations in lovely ways, and ends up as a comedy-drama that's human and surprising.Calling a film like this 'little' is no pejorative. If it was 'bigger' (budget, stars) it probably would have had it's jagged edges shorn off, and with them would have gone much of it's special-ness.The acting is terrific. Dree Hemingway makes the air-headed, hottie lead wonderfully vapid and annoying – at first – and lets us only slowly come to appreciate her humanity underneath. Besedka Johnson, in her film debut as the 85 year old that Hemingway stumbles into an uneasy friendship with makes her character equal parts spiky defensive exterior and vulnerable, needy center, giving reality and depth to this sad, touchy recluse.The photography is also very evocative; its ugly, bleached color and slightly off-kilter but deliberate framings are far more interesting than is common in a micro-budget indie. And the film makes some brave choices, like a few seconds of extreme and un-simulated sexuality that makes points about character and our perceptions by being both shocking and banal at the same time.My only real frustrations were that a few of the plot twists felt forced – too neat and coincidental for a film this grounded in feeling 'real'. But that was nowhere near enough of a problem to keep me from feeling very warm indeed about this odd-ball character study.

The only character in this movie that is 100% likable is the dog. Which is perfect. That's real life. The others are weak, sad, and bored. Kind of mean. And beautiful- Dree Hemingway's and Stella Maeve's looks are the 'blink blink it's a movie' factors that makes their characters unauthentic. They seem like real people. Addicted, numb, and desperate for human connection.The photography and music reminded me of The Virgin Suicides and King of California. As I write that I realize Dree Hemingway physically resembles both Evan Rachel Wood and Kirsten Dunst. The take away - she does not have an original face, but she is totally watchable. - This is the dreamy, dry, hazy L.A. - Good score. Uses one of the repugnant songs ever in the best ways ever. Bravo. "Crazy bitch" may fill me with more furor than any other pop song.Besedka Johnson as Sadie is heart breaking. She is a strong lady. She demands respect. She doesn't reel from foul language. She has her marbles. She is appropriately suspicious, but eventually grateful for Jane's attentions.An enjoyable film if you like this sort of thing. To utilize film review cliches- slice of life, indie paced, unsentimental, sticks with you. I'm a Northern Californian. I've always had a foreigner's fascination with Los Angeles. I don't spurn and spit at it like my fellow Yay Bareans, but I know it's not for me. This is the sort of film that shows you what it must really be like in L.A./San Fernando Valley. There are real people there too. They live lives. They have cool dogs.

A young woman whose profession isn't revealed until about halfway into the movie buys a bunch of stuff for her room from various yard sales. A thermos she purchased from an old lady contains wads of rolled up money. She goes on a shopping spree for herself and her dog, but then feels guilty and tries to return the thermos to the old woman, only to be rebuffed with a curt no refunds and a door shut in her face. For most people this would pretty much end any soul searching over whether to keep the money, but the young woman isn't easily put off and she slowly insinuates herself into the old woman's life and they become friends, of a sort. This isn't the heartwarming Hallmark Hall of Fame movie that the premise suggests, thank god. Both characters feel like real people and their performances are marvelous. I would highly recommend this to fans of indie flicks, although people who typically watch more mainstream fare might find it a little slow.

Dree Hemingway is a natural beauty and natural talent much like her mother Mariel Hemingway. The other actors in the film also are watchable.What could have been a moving and compelling look at life in Los Angeles and two unlikely friends was ruined by gratuitous porn scenes. No, it wasn't hard core porn but it was certainly more than I expected a legitimate model and actress to do in a film. It was more graphic than what you might see on HBO or something like that.The film did not need that type of thing to make its point. She could have been a struggling actress as the film title suggests. The porn scenes don't add anything to the film or character so it seems they are only there for the prurient viewer.I had more fun watching the absolutely adorable dog, Dree's character's pet in the film. The dog's name is Starlet although it's a male dog. People should know what is in the film in case they think it's a sweet film about a grandmother and surrogate daughter and try to watch it with their own parent or grandparent. I was very disappointed that the movie 'went there' when it didn't have to. Still, Dree as an actress shows promise. If only this could've been a career maker for her and her co star. Without the porn stuff, this could've even gotten them an Oscar nod.

A quirky indy rather odd easy to watch . Its about truth and friendship and shows an interesting take on how a young woman who acts in porn actually lives in real life. Yes there is graphic sex but as its about being in the porn industry this only adds to the strength of the story . Dree Hemmingway [ yes she is a real Hemmingway] looks stunning and the late Besedka Johson [ who isn't even an actor] captivates allowing this film not to stumble into sentimentality. So its a cross between the warmth of say Sideways with a little behind the scenes at Belladonnas house.

Jane (Dree Hemingway) hat einen Chihuahua, der Starlet heißt. Um ihren Job als Pornodarstellerin mit dem Schoßhund zu vereinbaren, fehlt es ihr noch an einem (Hunde-) Sitter. Der findet sich, als eine leicht an Demenz erkrankte Bingo- Spielerin (Besedka Johnson) in ihr Leben tritt... Dachte bei diesem Film an Andy Warhol, der seine Untergrundfilme auch in Echtzeit drehte, wenn auch nicht in 1: 2,35 Breitband und in Farbe wie hier. Es ist irgendwie faszinierend, wie Dree Hemingway mit ihrem Blondhaar hier durch die Kamera geht und der ganze verbale Trip noch dazukommt.

Pretty decent movie... ending of the movie leaves you to your imagination.

merci

Starlet zeichnet ein Bild von Hollywood, das sehr realistisch die Schattenseiten der Filmindustrie dort, nämlich die nahe liegenden Pornostudios ins Visier nimmt. Dass die Hauptdarstellerin dazu noch eine Diebin ist, die einer Kollegin mit trauriger Vergangenheit Geld stiehlt, rundet das Bild der scheinbaren Traumfabrik ab.