Real life shenanigans

In today’s society, we have become infatuated with the rich and famous and, contrary to popular belief, it’s gone global.

The Hollywood-obsessed culture we live in has left teens wanting a more glamorous lifestyle.

Remember the naughty excitement of ringing your neighbour’s doorbell and running for your life so as not to get caught, or simply prank-calling a friend? These practical jokes seem harmless compared to the extremes some youngsters will go to get a thrill today.

The Bling Ring is a perfect example of this. Five bored, celebrity-obsessed teenagers break into the homes of the famous to pilfer their designer couture.

Based on true events, director Sophia Coppola knows exactly what to do to show viewers how these obsessed teens can do more harm than good … OK, this may only apply to the young living in Hollywood and trying hard to get noticed, but any Justin Bieber concert will show you they’re an easily influenced force.

After watching the movie, I went home to research how much of this crazy plot was actually true … I was shockingly surprised! Not only are all the events factual, but the real crew managed to get away with doing it for three years.

Coppola managed to create an emotionally hollow film, which was reinforced by the protagonists. She makes sure that they don’t give the viewers anything to connect with because you’re not supposed to like them … and you won’t!

The film opens with a self-conscious Marc Hall, played by Israel Broussard. After being home-schooled he enlists in the ‘drop-out’ school and is taken under Rebecca’s (Katie Chang) wing. He soon becomes acquainted with the whole crew: Chloe (Claire Julien), Nicki (Emma Watson) and Sam (Taissa Farmiga).

When one day Rebecca learns that her idol, Paris Hilton, is out of town, she encourages Marc to use Google Maps to find her address so they can break in and ransack her clothing.

When the two realise they got away with it, they think they are untouchable and find out when celebrities are absent through gossip sites and then locate their homes.

They begin to make nocturnal visits with the rest of the gang to the homes of Rachel Bilson, The Hills star Audrina, Lindsay Lohan and Orlando Bloom.
 
When security footage of their break-in is televised, things begin to spiral out of control. Although their faces are not revealed on the footage, their expanding wardrobe and big mouths don’t go unnoticed.

Coppola utilises a number of modern techniques such as webcam, freeze frames, slow motion as well as an excellent soundtrack that will even appeal to those who won’t necessarily enjoy the film.

She definitely wanted the audience to be flabbergasted by these characters. The viewers were certainly not meant to be laughing with them … but at them!

Although all the characters were vapid, this was done intentionally. The viewers will hate them immediately but that is what is so intriguing … you can’t look away and you will want to know what they will say or do next.

Broussard as the lead is obviously the most sympathetic. He did a good job and certainly showed a progression in character as the break-ins developed and was the only one that the audience could possibly relate to.

However, it was Watson who stole the show. It’s about time she moved on from her Harry Potter image. Her American accent was spot on and her portrayal was very realistic. She had less screen time than I expected (being the most experienced and talented out of the bunch) but she still managed to be the only one that left a mark.

On the other hand, Chang as Rebecca was very frustrating. She is cold and stone-faced throughout. I know this may have been intentional but it come across as bad acting and I just wanted to slap some emotion onto her face.

The movie wasn’t great, but it successfully captured the culture of celebrity obsession that fuelled The Bling Ring.

I still don’t understand how stupid some of these celebrities are … but note to would-be burglars – Paris Hilton no longer leaves her keys under her welcome mat!

* Showing in Cineco