The Florida Project

The Florida Project really hits you in a spot that not many can. That naïveté of childhood in an environment like this, it’s both beautiful and heartbreaking. Every character (besides that one guy) is well deserving of sympathy, despite their poor decisions and questionable acts of desperation. Led by incredible child acting performances and an incredible debut from Bria Vinaite. I also want to spotlight Willem Dafoe and his character, who is able to deliver the sympathy we wish we could provide. Constantly berated by his residents and his boss, can’t escape the kids getting in his way, every day having to deal with the crimes and complaints around his motel, but the care he has for these people without any reciprocation is extremely admirable. I think it is one of the best performances of his career and easily my favorite character he’s played. Sean Baker lets the child actors be themselves to capture that pure adolescence and natural energy, why doesn’t every movie do this? It seems like a no brainer. Clearly, you can have a phenomenal script even with that unpredictability, this movie wouldn’t be anywhere near the same without it. This movie is really one of a kind. A masterpiece.