STARLET
US, 2012, 103 minutes, Colour.
Dree Hemingway, Besedka Johnson, Stella Maeve, James Ransone.
Directed by Sean Baker.
The title refers to the central character as well as to her pet Chihuahua.
Starlet is a surprisingly interesting film which draws us to its central characters. There needs to be a caution because the Jane, central actress, works in the pornography industry in Los Angeles, and there are scenes of drugs, the setting up of locations for filming and an actual, not simulated, sex episode (where Dree Hemingway has a body double for the scenes).
The film is small budget, has a feeling of authenticity with its plain/realistic camera work, focusing on Jane (Dree Hemingway, the daughter of Mariel Hemingway), her life in her apartment, sharing with Melissa (Stella Maeve), getting some jobs but having a lot of free time. When she goes to a garage sale and buys what she thinks is a vase but which is really an elaborate thermos flask, she clashes with the owner, Sadie (Besedka Johnson), but later finds $10,000 in it. Her feelings and her conscience urge her to go back to see Sadie about the money, but what happens is that she begins to give Sadie lifts home from the supermarket, goes into her house for conversation, looks at her beautiful garden, goes to bingo games, and the two become friends, Sadie telling her life story about her gambler husband and the early death of her daughter.
A dramatic point comes when Jane decides to buy first-class plane tickets to Paris for Sadie and herself, Sadie being reluctant, Melissa visiting Sadie to tell her that Jane was no friend, but Jane making a bet at the bingo games, buying many cards, but Sadie actually winning. And the bet was whether the two would go to Paris or not.
Besedka Johnson had not made any films and took on this role at the age of 85. She is spontaneous in her responses rather than performing, and most persuasive.
1. The title? Jane and her career? Her pet Chihuahua? The tone?
2. California, the San Fernando Valley, apartments, shops, homes, the streets, the cemetery, the bingo hall…? The feel of the place? The musical score and songs?
3. The Californian pornography industry, in homes, studios, the company at the offices, the staff? Jane and Melissa, their involvement, work, the sessions, the filming? Jane carefree about her life?
4. Jane’s story, Florida, her age, experience, hopes in Los Angeles, involvement in pornography, friendship with Melissa, the drugtaking, friendship with Mike? Having plenty of time, a free spirit? The sex scenes, explicit? The garage sale, the encounter with Sadie, the thermos, finding the money, hiding it, her feelings about Sadie and the money?
5. Her going back to see Sadie, the bond between them? Gradually developing into a friendship? Giving Sadie the lift with her groceries, going back home, talking, the glass of water, Sadie feeling awkward, her change? Jane and her picking up Sadie from shopping, going to visit the cemetery, at the bingo games, admiring her beautiful garden, the discussions, visiting the derelict zoo, Sadie impatient when Jane had moved on with her car, her reaction?
6. Sadie, Besedka Johnson not being an actress, taking on this role in her mid-80s? Her marriage to her gambler husband, Frank? Their daughter and her early death? The story of the proposal at the zoo? The visits to the cemetery? Finally wanting Jane to go and see the headstones?
7. Melissa, drugs, unreliable, her tantrums? In the apartment? Getting Jane to help, going to the company, her behaviour, demanding the money? Her being ousted by the producer and the staff? Jane going in, pleading her cause? Sadie in the car, not knowing what was going on? Melissa at home, finding the money? Expecting Jane to spend it on her? The relationship with Mike? The lack of jobs? Upset about the Paris ticket? Visiting Sadie to say that Jane was no friend?
8. Jane, her work, and at the show, leaving her dog with Sadie, the dog running away, returning, Sadie saying that she could take no more?
9. The bingo scenes, Jane going to the bingo, sharing? After buying the ticket, offering it to Sadie, Sadie’s refusal, Jane making the bet, getting all the bingo cards, and the irony of Sadie winning? Packing the cases, on the way to the airport, asking Jane to put the flowers at the graves? Sadie’s motives in asking Jane to do this, the effect on Jane?
10. The film and friendship bridging the generation gap?
