MovieChat Forums > The Florida Project (2017) Discussion > Try to appreciate this film

Try to appreciate this film

posted 7 years ago by WKRP (4)
17 replies | jump to latest

While this film does require a degree of patience to watch all the way through I would argue it is worth your time. These characters aren't meant to be lovable. There isn't much in the way of fantasy going on here. This is a section of society most people would rather avoid. But as the film advertises it is really about the children and even the mothers that are barely past childhood themselves. They have their flaws and make mistakes but are they really bad people??
There is no support system for them, no guidance; how likely is it these children will end up just like the adults in their lives? Probably a cycle that was passed down to the mothers as well.
Also, there was a lot to think about here about capitalism and our wealth gap in America. The characters are surrounded by wealth and the "Happiest Place On Earth" but they are left behind. Foreclosed homes sitting empty and rotting while so many don't have a home. While this film isn't offering any answers I was left with feelings of empathy and an appreciation for what I have.

[–] liscarkat (18589) 7 years ago

So it's the fault of capitalism and the wealth gap? I've known plenty of unwealthy people who aren't disgusting trash like the scum in this movie. These lowlifes live in a crap motel, yet they have all squandered a fortune on tatoos. They are their own worst enemies, as a result of their stupidity. They will never amount to anything, and it will be a miracle if any of the children they keep squeezing out do. Sterilization is the only solution.

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 7 years ago

Don't forget all the money they waste on cigarettes and drugs. It's not the fault of Capitalism that some people are just free loading scumbags.

Btw, I've been to 29 other countries, and in most of them these scumbags would be even WORSE off because there's no government help.

😎

[–] legnadibrom (6248) 7 years ago

we should make a single country for all these scumbags to live in and they can do as many drugs and deviant sex as they want....away from us

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 7 years ago

An interesting and tempting idea, but it will never happen.

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[–] Kowalski (76300) 5 years ago

JUST WHO IN THE F@#K IS "US"?

[–] legnadibrom (6248) 5 years ago

decent "humans"

[–] legnadibrom (6248) 7 years ago

the motel wasn't even that bad,
those repugnant tenants are the ones that brought the level of living down to the gutter

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 7 years ago

Yes. Buildings do not make slums. People do.

😎

[–] legnadibrom (6248) 5 years ago

thank you, brother

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 5 years ago

You're welcome.

😎

[–] Yinky (154) 6 years ago

Why not just execute them? It's obvious you assholes don't see these characters as human beings. Not everyone is brought up to be a responsible adult; abuse is real and it's devastating, and it is passed down though generations. These kids are going to be just like their mothers as the cycle repeats itself. To write them off as less-than-human because they don't meet your requirements is shallow and cruel. I don't believe it's the fault of capitalism, or society, or any of that. Some people can't see past the way they were raised. If you're beat down your whole life you don't always realize you can get back up--you think you literally CANNOT, and you're worthless anyway, so what's the point? This lifestyle is not a "choice" these people make, they just don't realize they have the power of change. They've been groomed to live this way.

P.S. The wealth displayed in the movie is juxtaposition (Movie Making 101).

[–] Fandango (534) 6 years ago

Of course it's complicated, but I don't think they're arguing that their circumstances weren't unfortunate. The argument, I believe, is that there are certain requirements for civil living, and they just don't meet them. There's nothing wrong with being poor and you shouldn't be written off because of it. There is, however, a right and wrong way to act.

[–] legnadibrom (6248) 7 years ago

can we ban this movie from being distributed online to prevent people from having their brain cells die?

[–] actionkamen (23176) 6 years ago

They are not bad people, per se. Because what is bad and what is good anyway? Who decided how people should live their lives? Religions? Presidents?

For me, this movie was about people who fail. Fail to achieve success. Fail to live amongst their society. It's not the fault of capitalism. It's not the fault of modern living, etc. These people were always there, from stone age to eternity. In any country and any society.

It's just a story of people of failure. Which is not pretty and not entertaining at all. It's infuriating even. However, for me it'd broaden the audiences' view. To see the lives of the unfortunates. Not to understand them. Let alone to solve the problem. But just to know that these people exist and they're living beings.

I don't really want to re-watch this movie. Also, technically it's not a well made either. Production values were really low. Well, what did I expect, it's a low-budget indie. Still, not an impressive piece of cinema. However, I'm glad I've seen it.

[–] Kowalski (76300) 5 years ago

Also, technically it's not a well made either. Production values were really low. Well, what did I expect, it's a low-budget indie. Still, not an impressive piece of cinema. However, I'm glad I've seen it

SERIOUSLY???

PRODUCTION VALUE WAS THROUGH THE ROOF...SAY WHAT YOU WILL OF YOUR OPINION OF THE STORY AND CHARACTERS(MINE IS THEY WERE COMPELLING),BUT DUDE...THE MOVIE IF F@#KING BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT .ONE OF THE BEST FILMS OF THE YEAR.

[–] actionkamen (23176) 5 years ago

Seriously.

[–] Caeli (102) 4 years ago

Finally! Someone who gets it! I've been reading these posts for the past hour just condemning these people for being trash humans. You hit the nail on the head. But I do have to disagree with you that this movie takes patience, I was enthralled for the entire run-time. Maybe it doesn't have a beginning, middle, and end way of telling a story but it gets the point across none-the-less.