The Florida Project
Set on a stretch of highway in a budget motel managed by Bobby (Willem Dafoe), just outside the imagined utopia of Disney World, THE FLORIDA PROJECT follows six-year-old Moonee and her rebellious mother over the course of a single summer.
Willem Dafoe was nominated for an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for his performance. Nominated for Best Director and Best Feature at the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival.
""The Florida Project" is - in nerve, guts, heart, and mind - one of the finest films of 2017." - Ty Burr, The Boston Globe
"Director Sean Baker crafts one of the best and toughest films about childhood ever." - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Running Time
112 mins
Year
2017
Kanopy ID
6324502
Filmmakers
Features
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Comments (55)
An exceptionally good movie that peels back the veneer beneath the brochure image of the Sunshine State. And a powerful metaphoric ending, and a reminder that it takes more than just cute hats to make a nation "great again."
I couldn't get past the incredibly selfish, rude, idiotic behavior of Mooney's mother. I grew up in poverty, she is a disgrace.
OK, The very ending is a problem. That said, the rest of the film is an engaging study of emotional and financial poverty for children and adults in the land of plenty. Beautifully filmed and acted. The juxtapositions as jarring as they are true. Very sad.
Not trying to tell you how to view the ending, but I believe the film, at that point, leaves reality behind and becomes metaphorical. I'm not supposed to believe those two little girls actually made it into Disney World ...
But I sure hope that, one day in their lives, those two ...Read more
Not trying to tell you how to view the ending, but I believe the film, at that point, leaves reality behind and becomes metaphorical. I'm not supposed to believe those two little girls actually made it into Disney World ...
Read lessBut I sure hope that, one day in their lives, those two beautiful children -- and all the children and parents whose lives are like theirs -- make it into "Disney World." What I fear is that once they make it there they will discover how empty the promise has always been.
One of the best movies I've seen in 10 years. So unusual, and frustrating, and hilarious, and beautiful. (And important)
hmm...will give it a try thanks!
Willem Dafoe should have got an Oscar for his performance in this. The children were amazingly directed or just naturally talented. The last 10 minutes honestly made me cry, and I'm a guy that never cries over a movie. But the conclusion... what the hell? 99.9% a great movie.
I found the beginning of the film to be thoroughly distasteful; the children in particular, so vile, I wanted to stomp on their heads. Difficult to watch at first, I thought I might just quit it. But then, I'm embarrassed to say, I kept seeing myself in Moonee's mother; Yikes. Overall, I'd ...Read more
I found the beginning of the film to be thoroughly distasteful; the children in particular, so vile, I wanted to stomp on their heads. Difficult to watch at first, I thought I might just quit it. But then, I'm embarrassed to say, I kept seeing myself in Moonee's mother; Yikes. Overall, I'd say this is one of the finest films of all time.
Read lessNot only Florida Project, but there are also many projects across the United States of America.
The ending was comically disappointing in my opinion, but the rest of the movie was extremely well done!
You may want to look up the meaning of the word "metaphor"; the children were running from their own reality, seeking solace in the imaginary world of Disney. And by the way, "The Florida Project" was Walt Disney's original name for Disneyland...ergo the movie's title. A tremendous ending to ...Read more
You may want to look up the meaning of the word "metaphor"; the children were running from their own reality, seeking solace in the imaginary world of Disney. And by the way, "The Florida Project" was Walt Disney's original name for Disneyland...ergo the movie's title. A tremendous ending to a brilliant film.
Read lessOutstanding. I doubt there's anything in this movie we don't already know about our country, but to see it at the children's pov is fascinating. And how did they write the script for this? Or a better question, how does one get such young kids to follow a script so naturally?
Absolutely eye-opening view of life in Florida for those without much money. A reflection of how a broken system has abandoned the human in Humanity. Incredible, brilliant film!
I really enjoyed this movie... something about the muggy Florida setting that really kept me attentive. Baker did a great job translating the kid's wonder and play to the viewers. Great cast for sure, and the acting was on point.
Beautiful, magical and powerfully emotional, what a movie! One of my favorite films from A24!
I view this movie not as trying to prove any one given point but instead as a simple story. A story that provides a canvas for deeper discussions about society, parenting, child development, and much more.
A beautiful portrait of a mostly unseen portion of American life. The juxtaposition of optimism and joyful youth against a backdrop of a harsh situation illustrates the struggles faced by so many people. This shows so many vantage points of that community, the different parenting styles,
Read more
A beautiful portrait of a mostly unseen portion of American life. The juxtaposition of optimism and joyful youth against a backdrop of a harsh situation illustrates the struggles faced by so many people. This shows so many vantage points of that community, the different parenting styles,
Read lessthe children, and how children are products of what they are demonstrated.
Yes. YES. I was thinking the same thing about parenting "style.s" . Most of the parents I've known just fr*ck it up. And I've been around a long time. Younger people don't tend to understand that things ACTUALLY were simple back then. Wife, Kid, Job. That's all you needed
Dang, I don't know how old YOU are but I'm nigh-on 70 . . . you can't actually BELIEVE what you just said. Where did you live, Mayberry?
The adults', and especially Dafoe's, work with children in this movie is genius. A beautiful metaphor for our troubled times that deeply honors childhood hope, wonder, bewilderment, confusion...for mature audiences only!
Astounding natural performance by these children, delightful to watch them as they find joy and friendship in surreal bleakness of Florida motel life; heartbreaking to realize these few years will likely be their happiest; their mischief the most innocent. And the last scene... the ...Read more
Astounding natural performance by these children, delightful to watch them as they find joy and friendship in surreal bleakness of Florida motel life; heartbreaking to realize these few years will likely be their happiest; their mischief the most innocent. And the last scene... the sophisticated carapace of the 6 or 7 year old daughter broken open... oh my.
Read less"innocent mischief" indeed. My husband was spat on twice; once by a slumgullion from out a bus window; and once by a little rich kid, around 10, who spat over a second-story railing. The rich kid's father admonished him, 'you naughty boy' (or words to that effect), as I cursed him roundly. ...Read more
"innocent mischief" indeed. My husband was spat on twice; once by a slumgullion from out a bus window; and once by a little rich kid, around 10, who spat over a second-story railing. The rich kid's father admonished him, 'you naughty boy' (or words to that effect), as I cursed him roundly. And if DADDY hadn't been there, I would have . . . .
Read lessExcellent film making. A wonderful Willem Dafoe. Child actors all good. But not the most pleasant of movies. Still well worth your viewing.
"Not the most pleasant" – That's a British understatement!
I remember reading a review for this film that referenced the final sequence that will 'break your heart in two'. Oh...days later, my heart is still aching. Such a beautiful film telling the story of delicate friendships, love and life which is so riveting, you can't tear your eyes from the ...Read more
I remember reading a review for this film that referenced the final sequence that will 'break your heart in two'. Oh...days later, my heart is still aching. Such a beautiful film telling the story of delicate friendships, love and life which is so riveting, you can't tear your eyes from the screen. I'm still dreaming sadness, sweetness and regret.
Sean Baker - you are so talented!
Read lessVery moving. It was so hard not to judge the characters in the movie. One bad decision after another. I certainly don't fault the "agents of the system." They have to do what they have to do. Very real story-telling. The ending surprised me, and it was very touching.
I kept wondering what the point of the movie was. I finally decided it was just day-to-day depictions of these characters and their lives of survival. It was a sad commentary. Defoe Is the glue that holds it all together. He has a heart and compassion.
Fantastic movie depicting how society alienates so many folks, while those with means, enjoy the indulgences of a fairy land nearby. And yet, the imagination and hope of a few children manages to scrappily survive. I was cheering.
"Society alienates" so many folks? That seems to completely alleviate people of the consequences they incur due to their own CHOICES, doesn't it? It's hard to make ends meet, I'll be the first to agree. But a person compounds their problems when they turn to illicit activities. SPOILER ALERT: ...Read more
"Society alienates" so many folks? That seems to completely alleviate people of the consequences they incur due to their own CHOICES, doesn't it? It's hard to make ends meet, I'll be the first to agree. But a person compounds their problems when they turn to illicit activities. SPOILER ALERT: I mean, come on. Hitchhiking? With two little girls? Smoking weed constantly? How are you supposed to pass a urine test for employment with that in your system. Prostitution with a child in the room? Sheesh.
Read lessYou're SO right! I saw a man once, a Mexican, undoubtedly illegal, eating from a dumpster outside an apartment building in L.A. He dipped his hand into something . . . with the consistency of mush, and ate it. He did this because he was starving, and rather than compound his problems by ...Read more
You're SO right! I saw a man once, a Mexican, undoubtedly illegal, eating from a dumpster outside an apartment building in L.A. He dipped his hand into something . . . with the consistency of mush, and ate it. He did this because he was starving, and rather than compound his problems by turning to illicit activities, like sticking a gun in your back, he chose to eat garbage. I really admire someone with fortitude like that. I have to admit that I literally gagged when I saw him eat that mush. I mean, I used to go dumpster-diving at supermarkets (it wasn't till years later I learned they poisoned the food they threw out) for vegetables; but some unknown MUSH?! Kudos!!!
Read lessmaybe I just watched this film at the wrong time, but I couldn't get past the first half hour, just too depressing, FLA motel trash at its worst, even good acting by good actors couldn't make this worth my time.
I had the exact same experience – but I persevered, and I'm really glad I did.
This story is about when children are made to be adults and the capacity of people to step up and play big roles in small communities when needed. This is a small gem of a film.
I know most people hate these slice-of-a-crappy-life movies but I love it. The pacing and tone remind me a lot of Gummo. I wonder if people would like these movies more if the filmmakers went out of their way to make an obvious moral statement? I'm glad they didn't, it would have made it feel ...Read more
I know most people hate these slice-of-a-crappy-life movies but I love it. The pacing and tone remind me a lot of Gummo. I wonder if people would like these movies more if the filmmakers went out of their way to make an obvious moral statement? I'm glad they didn't, it would have made it feel sickly. I wish they did more with the whole disney angle, but still enjoyable.
Read lessI didn't know about this when I first started watchign. Then the scene happens with the vending machine I was like. WHAT THE FR*CK
Terrible movie! It dragged on and on, just getting worse, dragging the viewer down a black hole with it - selfish unfit mother, her suck-y choices and unraveling life, and her brat kid running rogue, headed for the same life and bad choices. Good acting and cinematography, but dialogue and ...Read more
Terrible movie! It dragged on and on, just getting worse, dragging the viewer down a black hole with it - selfish unfit mother, her suck-y choices and unraveling life, and her brat kid running rogue, headed for the same life and bad choices. Good acting and cinematography, but dialogue and so-called plot was a dismal waste of time! Dafoe (and the scene with the cranes) was a redeeming element - and the end scene with the girls. Oh well!
Read lessWheww...I totally agree with your review. I had read several reviews about this film in various online newspapers, everyone raving about what an excellent film. NOPE!! It was depressing as hell. The mother was a wreck. The kid was being groomed to follow in her footsteps or become a complete ...Read more
Wheww...I totally agree with your review. I had read several reviews about this film in various online newspapers, everyone raving about what an excellent film. NOPE!! It was depressing as hell. The mother was a wreck. The kid was being groomed to follow in her footsteps or become a complete sociopath. Nothing to lift the spirits. And the ending!! Yep, black hole for sure. It was exhausting.
Read lessI agree that it was trying, difficult movie. Still I can't help but think of the very real children and adults for whom this is only a shadow of their lived experience. We can change the channel, for them the movie is a social reality.
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but ...Read more
I agree that it was trying, difficult movie. Still I can't help but think of the very real children and adults for whom this is only a shadow of their lived experience. We can change the channel, for them the movie is a social reality.
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” James Baldwin
Read lessReally loved how engaging the film is from the very start to the end. As a viewer, you are pulled to closely experience the lives of motel residents who are trying to survive week-by-week, all through the eyes of little young Moonee. If you liked THE FLORIDA PROJECT, you may also like the ...Read more
Really loved how engaging the film is from the very start to the end. As a viewer, you are pulled to closely experience the lives of motel residents who are trying to survive week-by-week, all through the eyes of little young Moonee. If you liked THE FLORIDA PROJECT, you may also like the director's shot-all-on-iPhones 2015 feature, TANGERINE.
Read lessThis movie was a masterpiece in the making and then the last five minutes happened. Coulda been a Moonlight. Que lastima.
As I watched the last 5 minutes, I was SURE I knew what the ending was going to be. I was nowhere in the ballpark. I thought the ending was great, very symbolic.
Terrible movie! It's established very early on that the mother is troubled but then nothing of value happens until the last 10 minutes of the film. Waste of time.
Good
Same ending as The 400 Blows. However, this film was great to watch.
Horrible!
The incidental scene when Dafoe's character talks to cranes in the motel's reception drive is priceless. On previous comments about mother's fitness: not only are they arguably wrong - the movie is about the kids' choices re: freedom and gaps in oversight. It's a brilliant film. Dafoe is ...Read more
The incidental scene when Dafoe's character talks to cranes in the motel's reception drive is priceless. On previous comments about mother's fitness: not only are they arguably wrong - the movie is about the kids' choices re: freedom and gaps in oversight. It's a brilliant film. Dafoe is excellent, too.
Read lessRemarkable, naturalistic performances from the kids. Wonderful cinematography.
Further evidence that prospective parents need to obtain a license before they are allowed to procreate.
so everyone who isn't fit should wear chastity belts?
Good idea!