While most of us on staff were far from fans of Sofia Coppola's last picture "Somewhere" (a film that does have its defenders, nevertheless), the filmmaker is so gifted, and has enough goodwill from her earlier efforts, that we're more than happy to follow her wherever she's going. And in the last few weeks, filming got underway on her latest, "The Bling Ring."
For the first time, Coppola's covering a contemporary true-life story, telling the tale of the so-called Bling Ring, or the Hollywood Hills Burglar Bunch, a group of L.A. teens who stole as much as $3 million worth of jewelery, cash and designer goods from the houses of celebrities like Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom, Audrina Partridge and Rachel Bilson back in 2008 and 2009.
Coppola's assembled an intriguing cast, led by Emma Watson, "American Horror Story" star Taissa Farmiga, Judd Apatow's other half Leslie Mann ("Knocked Up") and newcomers Israel Broussard, Katie Chang, Claire Pfister (daughter of Christopher Nolan's DoP Wally) and Georgia Rock, along with Carlos Miranda (Tito in "Warrior") who Variety reported a couple of days back had joined the cast.
As it happened, just as Miranda came on board, we came into possession of Coppola's (typically brief, at only 80 pages) script for the project, and we thought we'd take a quick read to see what we can expect from the project. And to put it simply: it's a Sofia Coppola film, for better or worse, examining empty lives of wealth and privilege, just as "Lost In Translation," "Marie Antoinette" and "Somewhere" all did.
But thanks to the real-life tale, it's also got something more. The script opens (after a knowing quote from Nicole Ritchie's Twitter page) in media res, with the gang breaking into a Hollywood mansion, followed by indicators of their future arrest, and glimpses of interviews by the teens with journalists after the fact. This structure runs throughout, and other than changing the names of the central characters, Coppola seems to have stuck closely to how the true events unfolded (if not necessarily the biographical facts), and it lends the script an almost-docu-drama feel throughout.
Also worth noting is that while Watson has widely been reported to be the lead, that's not quite accurate. The entry-point character for the audience is Marc (Broussard), a fashion-obsessed (and seemingly gay, although it's never stated outright) 16-year-old kid who starts at a new high school (based on Burglar Bunch member Nick Prugo), and quickly falls in with a Korean-American girl named Rebecca. It's Rebecca (a character based on the real life figure Rachel Lee, and will presumably be played by newcomer Katie Chang) who's the ringleader of the group, and arguably the female lead, while we suspect that Watson's playing Nicki, a pretty teen with an ex-Playboy model mother (to be played by Mann) who schools her two daughters on the importance of finding fame.
"Wanna be thug" Chloe (possibly Farmiga's part) and Nicki's boyfriend, the Mexican bouncer Rob (presumably Miranda's role), fall in with the gang, and soon they're scouring gossip sites for the whereabouts of their favorite celebs, breaking and entering when they're away and taking clothes, cash, naked photos and even a gun (from Brian Austin Green, of all people), using their spoils to finance a hard-partying, coke-snorting lifestyle, with little regard for the possibility of getting caught.
On one hand, this is a world we've seen Coppola tackle many times before, and it's hard not to wish that she'd found a more substantial piece of material like "The Virgin Suicides," especially in the middle section, where the burglaries and materialism porn becomes a little repetitive (although that's partly the point). But on the other, Coppola's found a new way to approach the subject, bringing in issues of class and the poisonous effect of a vacuous culture, and there's a neatly satirical touch to proceedings (Mann's character's first line is telling her daughter "Girls! Time for your Adderall!), while still retaining a sympathetic, even-handed approach that feels vaguely reminiscent of Gus Van Sant's "Elephant."
Ultimately, Coppola, even more so than most filmmakers, uses her script as a skeleton, and much of what makes her films work (or otherwise) comes in the execution. With a cast so green, the movie will really hang on how well they can pull it off, but if nothing else, having Hermione Granger do a scantily-clad dance with a gun will get the attention of the mainstream media (the film is another smart choice for Watson, who looks like she could be a real force post-Potter). Things are certainly looking promising, all in all, and we're excited to see the finished film: with shooting underway, we could end up seeing this before the year is out.
For the first time, Coppola's covering a contemporary true-life story, telling the tale of the so-called Bling Ring, or the Hollywood Hills Burglar Bunch, a group of L.A. teens who stole as much as $3 million worth of jewelery, cash and designer goods from the houses of celebrities like Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom, Audrina Partridge and Rachel Bilson back in 2008 and 2009.
Coppola's assembled an intriguing cast, led by Emma Watson, "American Horror Story" star Taissa Farmiga, Judd Apatow's other half Leslie Mann ("Knocked Up") and newcomers Israel Broussard, Katie Chang, Claire Pfister (daughter of Christopher Nolan's DoP Wally) and Georgia Rock, along with Carlos Miranda (Tito in "Warrior") who Variety reported a couple of days back had joined the cast.
As it happened, just as Miranda came on board, we came into possession of Coppola's (typically brief, at only 80 pages) script for the project, and we thought we'd take a quick read to see what we can expect from the project. And to put it simply: it's a Sofia Coppola film, for better or worse, examining empty lives of wealth and privilege, just as "Lost In Translation," "Marie Antoinette" and "Somewhere" all did.
But thanks to the real-life tale, it's also got something more. The script opens (after a knowing quote from Nicole Ritchie's Twitter page) in media res, with the gang breaking into a Hollywood mansion, followed by indicators of their future arrest, and glimpses of interviews by the teens with journalists after the fact. This structure runs throughout, and other than changing the names of the central characters, Coppola seems to have stuck closely to how the true events unfolded (if not necessarily the biographical facts), and it lends the script an almost-docu-drama feel throughout.
Also worth noting is that while Watson has widely been reported to be the lead, that's not quite accurate. The entry-point character for the audience is Marc (Broussard), a fashion-obsessed (and seemingly gay, although it's never stated outright) 16-year-old kid who starts at a new high school (based on Burglar Bunch member Nick Prugo), and quickly falls in with a Korean-American girl named Rebecca. It's Rebecca (a character based on the real life figure Rachel Lee, and will presumably be played by newcomer Katie Chang) who's the ringleader of the group, and arguably the female lead, while we suspect that Watson's playing Nicki, a pretty teen with an ex-Playboy model mother (to be played by Mann) who schools her two daughters on the importance of finding fame.
"Wanna be thug" Chloe (possibly Farmiga's part) and Nicki's boyfriend, the Mexican bouncer Rob (presumably Miranda's role), fall in with the gang, and soon they're scouring gossip sites for the whereabouts of their favorite celebs, breaking and entering when they're away and taking clothes, cash, naked photos and even a gun (from Brian Austin Green, of all people), using their spoils to finance a hard-partying, coke-snorting lifestyle, with little regard for the possibility of getting caught.
On one hand, this is a world we've seen Coppola tackle many times before, and it's hard not to wish that she'd found a more substantial piece of material like "The Virgin Suicides," especially in the middle section, where the burglaries and materialism porn becomes a little repetitive (although that's partly the point). But on the other, Coppola's found a new way to approach the subject, bringing in issues of class and the poisonous effect of a vacuous culture, and there's a neatly satirical touch to proceedings (Mann's character's first line is telling her daughter "Girls! Time for your Adderall!), while still retaining a sympathetic, even-handed approach that feels vaguely reminiscent of Gus Van Sant's "Elephant."
Ultimately, Coppola, even more so than most filmmakers, uses her script as a skeleton, and much of what makes her films work (or otherwise) comes in the execution. With a cast so green, the movie will really hang on how well they can pull it off, but if nothing else, having Hermione Granger do a scantily-clad dance with a gun will get the attention of the mainstream media (the film is another smart choice for Watson, who looks like she could be a real force post-Potter). Things are certainly looking promising, all in all, and we're excited to see the finished film: with shooting underway, we could end up seeing this before the year is out.
Source: Indiewire
39 comments:
I will admit, I was very skeptical when I heard Emma was going to do this. While I still have a doubt or two, it does sound like this has potential. Emma once said that she wanted to do films that meant something and had a good script and from the sounds of this post, she may have made a great choice.
did I read right, she will scantily clad dance with a gun. Does that have to do with talent?
she hasn't looked very happy on this set at all- kind of moody. I'm sure this acting is much more challenging than Hp and even Perks. It seems in this film she is a young person with all the desires that come with that age and a daredevil burglar. She has to play part of an adolescent game that has gone very wrong. I am sure the emotional tension for her character is tremendous. But that is Coppolla filming and acting style. The charcters bleed and the acting costs. But at the end she should have learned much about acting and filmmaking. Go Emma! you can rock the clock and pull it off well.
The movie sounds good. Honestly, I'm really looking forward to watching Emma dance with a gun.
It's a little surprising seeing critics and movie blogs say that Emma has the most promising career. It seemed like 80% of the "fans" on pottershots thought she's the worst in the series (that was in 2007, though.) She's improved SOOOO much since then, it's nice seeing her getting positive feedback.
The Character is essential not the scantily clad dance! When it fits, its Ok and I dont think Sophia Coppola shots it only for the reason for an eye-catcher to media interest, it would be pathetic!
She was the best according to critics and most of the potter fans from the very first movie and she still rocks and if you( kristen) consider the global scale of potter fans only a very less % are actually aware of pottershots
I actually think Rupert has the most acting talent of the lot - I think Hermione was a lot like Emma and she fell flat in some of the more emotional DH2 scenes, but acting is something that can be learnt and she's certainly doing that. I just wish Rupert didn't seem so shy-ish and indie so we could see him in more stuff...
emma has a lot of screen presence. I mean she steels the show whenever she appears...i think she will have a great career not only as an actress but also as a fashionista
^ so true
@Kristin I think noone knows who will have the best Career. I have seen Blogs where People say it will be Daniel, I have seen Blogs where People say Emma, I have seen Blogs where People say Rupert :O
This is all just own Opinion. We can't say what will happen just because of how it is right now and it would be stupid of us to say it.
I won't say who will have the best Career, because if you are doing it, you will be just suprised at the End because it won't happen. I never thought Rupert would be in a american Hollywood Movie, I never thought Daniel would play a Gay Person. The Boys are improofing a lot. I get suprised by the whole Trio sometimes, but Daniel and Rupert suprise me more than Emma.
But I can't see Critics who are saying Emma was the Best in HP. The whole Trio got amazing Critics. Some are saying Rupert was the Best, some are saying Daniel. But noone said one of them was the Best always.
You can check the first 4 movies critics at emma watson.net.The critics are practically obsessed wish emma
I personally don't trust the opinion about Emma's performance of anyone who thought she was good in HP3 and 4 :p
HP3 was more like Hermione granger and the prisoner of azkaban
@Eden lol I liked her the most in DH Part1/2.
I don't really read the most Critics from many Years ago when they were Kids, because they are Adults now. The Trio were all really good in HP, they had their bad Moments, but also their great Moments. But noone of them was always the Best and we can't say who will have the best Career, it's useless to say it, because it won't be like we want it to happen. That would be to much of Confidence and not to mention it's to early to think they will have a big Career for everyone of the Trio. Some People are like they did hundred of Movies already. Geez. Accept how they are like now, not like you want them in the Future or you can't support them well.
I think its ok to predict their futures. May be dan and em will have quite a remarkable one though im more interested in emma... just because i admire her so much
She's had as many bad reviews for the Potter films as good ones. Her career trajectory will depend entirely on her reception in Perks and Bling.
The film seems great because it has a deeper meaning and is not just about glorifying the actions of the teenagers. Would love to see this movie. :-)
I felt emma pulled off the puberty stricken- disappointed first love stricken teen very well in Newells version. She played the hyper-hysterical hermoine very well. Hermoine is a charchter who is extremely intelligent and then the fitting hypersensitivity. In HP4, she pulled that hysterical teen that was angry with Ron because he ruined everything very well. I feel Newell expected the strongest emotional performance from the young artists. But that is just my opinion. In HPI and 2 she was just a darling little know-it-all that she played very well. We cringed and were delighted at how well she played the know-it-all role. In the last 2 films emma played a well-rounded Hermoine, who was willing to take responsibility. I feel the movie leaned more on effect than singular actor emotionality. I would have liked it stronger in character performance, but I guess the script didn't allow that, and then we would have had a HP 9 and 10. I have the highest hopes and trust in emma's acting abilities. I believe that she will climb to the occasion. Concerning the other 2, Rup and Dan, I believe that they were all good in their own right. Dan really developed his acting chops. Rup was good to begin with, but he mustn't stand still.
Lynn
I agree with you Lynn that Emma understood Hermoine understood her character as hypersensitive and pulled that off that we were annoyed with her but that is the early Hermoine charchter. She develops and gains stability throughout the films. If the films had been made later after the books had been all written, then the cause and effect development of emotions may have found a stronger portrayal. As they were, the films were still very well achieved, but no Oscar material. Here young artists could learn to be actors. It is indeed a gift that a young person is able to be catapulted into a situation where there future blossoms before their eyes. They have had to put off studies, but all has a price. I do hope though, that Rup takes an acting course, for he is really good, but he needs to systematically stretch himself.
I like Emma the best from the trio for she will be able to show the most emotional and intellectual flexibility of presentation.IN the future I see her taking intelligent, thriller, mystery roles. Roles that portray the pursuit and struggle to be an artist or writer- 'your voice in my head' could just be such a role. She seems to be developing her abilities and style with a great self-awareness of her goals. I believe acting is a hard job, and very few actors or -tresses make it to the top. I think she would have enough self-pride to quit and pursuit other interests which her education will allow her to pursue, but I don't see her as a boob extended, milk blond skirting sex-symbol. She has more ability than that. And I believe emma will always make a dignified entrance and exit. You are right Lynn, she has so much to offer emotionally. She will be able to show us in 'your voice in my head', and maybe in 'the bling ring', but I'm not at all tuned to an angle for this flick.
Rob
I'll love Emma in anything until the day I die. That's the gospel truth. I think she's an amazing actress and a very inspiring person and beautiful role model.
I agree with you Lynn when you say that Emma really understood her Hermoine role and acted a hypersensitive, puberty-stricken teen. She pulled it off with a lot of hysteria- especially in HP 4. It was brilliant for such a young actress. I have read blogs where people criticised her as overreacting, but that was just the point, that was the Hermoine character. Then Hermoine matured in every book appropriate to the age she was written by Rowling. Emma understood this development and played this process as much as the director and script allowed it. I also believe that Newell had her emotionality pinned that strongest. The tappering to who Hermoine was in Film 7 should have been followed up better. But that way because of the way the films were made.
Helga
@lynn 50 % I agree, other 50 % I don't agree.
But that is called own Opinion and we should treat it as own Opinion and not that we know everything what will happen or the World will agree. Even Critics are own Opinion, best Proof is that there are always some People who don't agree. Just the Future knows what will happen with the Trio, who will have the most Success, what they will do etc and if it will stay like now.
I disagree with the poster that said Perks and Bling Ring wil decide Emmas post Potter career, even the best and most popular actors can struggle after a big hit and peoples careers go up and down, look at the likes of Sandra Bullock, Clare Danes etc, all it takes is one hit to come back. It took Kate Winslet and Leo DiCaprio quite a while after Titanic and look at them now. Some popular actors haven't made a big hit in years like Julia Roberts. I don't think two movies will define her career, she just needs to do roles outside Potter and diversify at the moment, a big hit isnt necessary right now, the fact that she's getting offered these roles is a really great sign. She just needs to keep going at the moment, hopefully then a hit will come after awhile.
I think the Bling Ring and Your voice in my head will show the range emma is capable of.When seen in interviews emma is always fluffy and friendly. We have been tuned that she is an intelligent young woman. And that is the truth. People that have worked with her academically have supposedly witnessed her as brilliant. She speaks intelligently and fluently. I would love her to do something more than acting- writing and directing. I don't know, but it seems to me to always only act another person's imagination can be pretty boring. But I guess the paycheck is far from boring. But still, I would like to see Emma to do seomthing with more teeth and intellectual acuity.
Linda
I just read that Justin Timberlake is the Bohemian lover in Your voice in my head. TERRIBLE in my opinion. He is a great singer, but in my opinion not an actor to be taken seriously. I could imagine James McAvoy, maybe even Elijah Wood in the role. Both of them are good actors. Now Johnny Depp would be the craze. I wonder how Emma feels about that role.
It's only a rumour, not official.
Julia Roberts may not have had a blockbuster hit lately, but the roles she has played have been excellent-eat pray and love. With Julia Roberts the story made a difference. This actress is a presence, she doesn't need a blockbuster series to be recognized and maybe even cataloged as a great actress. Julia is a household name. That is what most actresses have yet to achieve today. I haven't seen any younger actresses as good as a young Sandra Bullock, a young Julia Roberts, and a young Meryl Streeps.These weren't sex symbols but have blossomed to esteemed actresses and artists. This is my hope for Emma Watson.She attends to things with a singular priority, and having read about her over the years and having watched her in films, I would bet that Emma is planning her career very carefully with possibilities of multi-taskedness. What an interesting young woman.
Roland
OK Roli, you're right and wrong. None of the younger generation is as good as good as these actresses when they were young- although I would like to mention Saoirse Ronan here. She is not even 20 and has already had an Oscar nomination. Peter Jackson had her play in Lovely Bones. One fine young actress. Is Emma that good? I would say yes- in her own way- these are young women to watch in the future.
L.
I wonder if she hopes to be in a Peter Jackson movie some day soon. Now that is the new big time director. I'd love to see her do a film with him. He really knows how to lure the emotional part of a character so that it is believeable. Now Frodo is seamless. I think Emma could be right up there with a Sandra Bullock. Now Meryl, those are big shoes to fill, but she only needs to fill her own shoes which carry her "singular priorit". I can't wait! Peter Jackson is my favorite director. I believe one of the best.
Robyn
With Daniel doing Allen Ginsberg and Rupert in The Drummer, and Emma in first Perks, then Bling and eventually a very emotional, chastising role in Your Voice in my Head. She is gradually peaking her roles, building skills and growing. I am a Sylvia Plaths fan and her genre of the Confessional poetry. Being that Emma is studying history and english literature and drama- as I have read- she would have a integrated understanding of literature. I would love to see her play the role of Sylvia Plaths and truly demonstrate the sensitivity, the glory and the pain of writing. All the great writers walked this tight rope. Only Sylvia Plaths fell down. But such a great poet shouldn't be forgotten. And it takes a fine actress to capture Sylvia in her many layers. I would love to see emma in more roles like this. She will soon have her history and literature degree completed, then she can show some real chops. Anybody else for a Sylvia Plaths- of the Beat Generation- movie?
How about portraying George Elliot or Mary Shelley, how a young woman's mind can create Frankenstein.Bronte for creating Wuthering Heights. The posibilities are endless. I would just hate to see her in any ding-bat roles.
interesting perspective, but yes- why would a millionaire actress want to get a creamed education other than to perfect her art. Of course knowledge is something very personal.
I am glad though that more and more actora are taking the educational route. They will in the long haul get better roles- that is of course you have talent at all. You can only act what you understand.
I think johnny depp may explode this thesis, but he is an exception.
But yes, I would like to see Emma in such roles. Let her play Flannery O#Connor while writing some of her southern lit. That would really be a twist.
yeah flannery O'Conner- A good man is hard to find.
On mentioning some of the best actresses, how about Cate Blanchett. I would she already has the range of Meryl Streep.
This is a fun blog!
I don´t know why they are even filming this movie... it´s about a bunch of self-absorbed kids who do really stupid things. What´s so interesting about it? But maybe I´m too old for this movie....never did like movies with silly teenagers.
by the way, Eden, I would like to know what you think about this movie.
I'm excited about this movie, like I'm excited each time I hear about a new Coppola project :p I don't think I would have been excited if it hadn't been a director that I love. These kind of movies put these teens in the highlight, and I don't think it's a good thing to do because it gives them what they want, but I think or hope Sofia will show that these kids have problems or are stupid or anything that won't put them at their advantages.
thanks for answer :)..when you say it like that, it doesn´t sound bad....my dislike for this movie is probably because I really don´t like "silly teenagers" But maybe Sofia will make the movie look less..I don´t know how to call it..cheap isn´t the right word, but something similar...
Also I´m not exactly happy with Emma´s characters...from what I read about Alexis, she is a bit boring....but maybe that´s good :))
Either way, I hope the movie will be good and succesful for Emma...
I don't know if the word you were looking for was "meaningless", but that's how I see most silly teens movie. But I really can't associate this word with Sofia's work so I'm not worried.
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