Starlet (Sean Baker, 2012): USA

Reviewed by Jaclyn Marie Murdock. At AFI Fest Nov. 5th, 2012.

Starlet, which about a unusual relationship that develops between a young 21 year old porn star Jane and a prickly elderly woman Sadie (who accidentally sells her a thermos full of cash at a yard sale to Jane), is a very refreshing contemporary story. Jane’s unspoken attempts throughout the film to “repay” her debt to Sadie by spending days with her talking, driving her to the grocery store and taking her to her husbands grave site, establishes this unlikely connection between generations. This story takes on a very this antagonizing dilemma between what is right (giving the money back or not) and what is fair (she sold it with money in there, now it’s mine), that has not been used or seen in many (if at all) films before.

One of the most standout features in this film is the naturalistic feel you get with the sun bleached style that director Sean Baker goes for, expressing life in the valley in a haze of sorts. This instantly connects and draws you into the unique story and the characters. Actresses Dree Hemingway (who plays Jane) and Bedseka Johnson’s (who plays Sadie in her first acting role), charismatic and dynamic chemistry steals the screen and realistically depicts the mother-daughter relationship that develops over time between them. This odd connection, unravels both characters throughout the film, with Jane re-organizing her dead beat lifestyle and Sadie getting the accompaniment that she did not realize she needed after her husband pasted away.

The use of steadi-cam, and the majority of the action in the film taking place within Jane’s car, really exposes the lives of two opposing woman that are always searching for the next path they should be taking in life. The interesting side note about this very unique storyline, is that it is a true event that happened to director, Sean Baker’s friend. Baker decided that it was a very interesting dynamic that definitely was suited for film, but needed a more substantial and wholesome aspect to it. Baker put in on the back burner until he teamed up with screenwriter Chris Burgoch, and the story fell into place. This film shock yet charms you and resignates in your mind like the masterpiece that it is. It makes you stop and look at your own life and appreciate the relationships you have with the people in your life.