The title of this film "Starlet" refers to the lead actress Jane's (Dree Hemingway) chihuahua dog. The dog is very much a central focus of the film but the main story doesn't exactly have to do with him.
With no knowledge of this film, but seeing as it was directed by independent beloved director Sean Baker, figured it would be solid. The film very well blends a unique odd pairing relationship with a slight mix of adult film tendencies. Now a majority of the film deals with Jane and 85 year old woman Sadie as we see somewhat of a forced relationships brewing as we question just how genuine it is.
For one this film is written very well as it's unpredictable all around and explores themes that seem out of the norm. For instance Jane is is a rising adult actress but we don't necessarily realize until about 50 minutes into the film (there is quite a graphic authentic looking adult shoot scene- showing unsimulated, although a body double of an actual adult actress as opposed to Dree Hemingway- this easily could have been edited to not show it but we assume it was placed for authenticity).
There were several questions which felt unanswered. Such as why didn't Sadie ever outright ask why Jane was so keen in building a relationship with her? Why didn't Sadie further questions regarding Jane's profession? Wasn't Sadie curious as to how Jane had money for a trip to Paris? In the end when Jane's friend/co-worker Melissa confronts Sadie and tells her that Jane found her money, why didn't Sadie question anything and further ask Jane whether it was true or not? The very ending seeing Jane at the cemetery seeing the tombstones of Sadie's husband and daughter were telling and left the audiences with further questions for interpretations.
Due to Jane's profession and the explicit graphic scene, it may turn off casual audiences and they would immediately dismiss the film as a whole. However watching with an open mind. Starlet is quite a different and creative film. Engaging all the way through simply to see where things are headed. If anything this movie deserves more recognition.
With no knowledge of this film, but seeing as it was directed by independent beloved director Sean Baker, figured it would be solid. The film very well blends a unique odd pairing relationship with a slight mix of adult film tendencies. Now a majority of the film deals with Jane and 85 year old woman Sadie as we see somewhat of a forced relationships brewing as we question just how genuine it is.
For one this film is written very well as it's unpredictable all around and explores themes that seem out of the norm. For instance Jane is is a rising adult actress but we don't necessarily realize until about 50 minutes into the film (there is quite a graphic authentic looking adult shoot scene- showing unsimulated, although a body double of an actual adult actress as opposed to Dree Hemingway- this easily could have been edited to not show it but we assume it was placed for authenticity).
There were several questions which felt unanswered. Such as why didn't Sadie ever outright ask why Jane was so keen in building a relationship with her? Why didn't Sadie further questions regarding Jane's profession? Wasn't Sadie curious as to how Jane had money for a trip to Paris? In the end when Jane's friend/co-worker Melissa confronts Sadie and tells her that Jane found her money, why didn't Sadie question anything and further ask Jane whether it was true or not? The very ending seeing Jane at the cemetery seeing the tombstones of Sadie's husband and daughter were telling and left the audiences with further questions for interpretations.
Due to Jane's profession and the explicit graphic scene, it may turn off casual audiences and they would immediately dismiss the film as a whole. However watching with an open mind. Starlet is quite a different and creative film. Engaging all the way through simply to see where things are headed. If anything this movie deserves more recognition.