Starlet

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Starlet

2012

Directed by Sean Baker

An unlikely friendship forms between 21 year-old Jane and the elderly Sadie after Jane discovers a hidden stash of money inside an object at Sadie's yard sale.

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Eli Hayes
Review by Eli Hayes ★★★★½ Liked

As with Tangerine,
it is life that is exhibited here.
Not pseudo-life,
not a faux display of life.
Not a film.
Life.
Sean Baker is one of my favorite of Earth's presences.
Rest peacefully, Besedka Johnson... <3

Lucy
Review by Lucy ★★★★½ Liked 3

gorgeous and subdued, like the feeling of sun on your skin

nick
Review by nick ★★★★★ Liked 4

Starlet is so far my favorite Sean Baker movie. With abundant, down to earth humanity that's immediately reminiscent of Abbas Kiarostami classics, Starlet chronicles a young woman's unexpected friendship with an old lady. Baker masterfully depicted two polar opposite worlds that initially connected via the randomness of fate, and eventually interlocked thanks to the ultimate goodness of humanity. Baker's naturalistic lens ensures that every momentum of the turbulent relationship be accounted for, while providing a voyeuristic look into the young woman's quite complicated double life.

Both female leads have done a tremendous job, giving arguably the strongest performances out of Baker's filmography, by providing an equal parts endearing and uneasy chemistry. Baker's dog Boonee, who played the titular role, was…

lauren
Review by lauren ★★★★½ Liked 1

this is sean baker’s dog’s world and we’re just living in it

Vivian
Review by Vivian ★★★★ 1

how'd my heart grow the size of the ocean watching this

theo
Review by theo ★★½

starlet walked, so anora could run

darnilious balthazar
Review by darnilious balthazar ★★★½ Liked 3

The ending is a sentimental cop-out, but that writer/director Sean Baker is able to craft a mostly believable friendship between an 85-year-old widow and a 21-year-old porn star is enough of a feat for one movie.

"Starlet" is probably the most realistic fictional portrait of the modern porn industry yet; you never once question the authenticity of lead Dree Hemingway (Mariel's daughter, destined for greatness, hopefully with Woody) and supporter Stella Maeve as people in this line of work.

But the movie is not about porn; it's about humans in different stages of life, which is what makes the central relationship special. Here is an unlikely duo who bond because they are each in a period that makes them uncomfortable, and in each other they find a certain subconscious sense of purpose.

Baker discovered Hemingway's 85-year-old co-star, Besedka Johnson, in a West Hollywood YMCA. Some filmmakers have a knack for finding truth in the unlikeliest of places.

Blue Ghosts
Review by Blue Ghosts ★★★★★

All I could think about during this is that when you age you are surrounded by constant reminders of the end of everything you know and love

Hailli
Review by Hailli ★★★★ Liked 1

Alright Sean Baker you got me. I’ll start helping the old ladies carry their groceries to the car.

Sophy
Review by Sophy ★★★★ Liked 1

I want a sequel! I wanted to see them go to Paris so bad!

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