Starlet

Name: Starlet
Genre: Drama
Released: November 9, 2012
Duration: 103 min
Rating: 74
Cast: Besedka Johnson, Dree Hemingway

2012

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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Starlet

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Movie Details & Credits

Music Box Films | Release Date: November 9, 2012 | Not Rated

Starring: Besedka Johnson, Dree Hemingway

Summary: Starlet explores the unlikely friendship between 21 year-old aspiring actress Jane and elderly widow Sadie after their worlds collide in California's San Fernando Valley. Jane spends her time getting high with her dysfunctional roommates and taking care of her Chihuahua Starlet, while Sadie passes her days alone, tending to her garden.Starlet explores the unlikely friendship between 21 year-old aspiring actress Jane and elderly widow Sadie after their worlds collide in California's San Fernando Valley. Jane spends her time getting high with her dysfunctional roommates and taking care of her Chihuahua Starlet, while Sadie passes her days alone, tending to her garden. After a confrontation at a yard sale, Jane finds something unexpected in a relic from Sadie's past. Her curiosity piqued, she tries to befriend the caustic older woman. Secrets emerge as their relationship grows, revealing that nothing is ever as it seems. [Music Box Films]… Expand

Director: Sean Baker

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 103 min

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Critic Reviews

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Nov 20, 2012

Sean Baker's singular little ultra-indie is a strikingly unsentimental study in female friendship between unmoored souls in L.A.'s bleached, glamour-challenged San Fernando Valley. Read full review

John DeFore

Nov 4, 2012

A mismatched-friends drama whose overall sensitivity is belied by a couple of clumsily contrived plot points, Sean Baker's Starlet pairs story and setting perfectly. Read full review

Robert Abele

Nov 8, 2012

It's a character study about faith in connectedness, with an unforced love for cross-generational companionship that's special indeed. Read full review

The Playlist Katie Walsh

Nov 8, 2012

Starlet is an interesting effort from indie filmmaker Sean Baker (this is his fourth feature), and signals the arrival of Dree Hemingway as one to watch. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Dec 6, 2012

The film itself deserves praise for its portraits of these two women and the different worlds they inhabit. Read full review

Melissa Anderson

Nov 7, 2012

Director Sean Baker, co-writing his fourth feature with Chris Bergoch, does some deft balancing of his own: His genuine admiration for these two women extends to their idiosyncrasies, yet they never become fools, whores, saints, or coots. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

Nov 20, 2012

The relationship is the best thing about the film, which otherwise feels hopelessly sad and tawdry. Read full review

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User Reviews

dante_finn

Dec 6, 2012

This little ultra indie is strikingly unsentimental.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

jtk6204

Dec 28, 2013

This movie succeeded on its mission brilliantly. As in life, the most complex situations flower from the simplest premises, telling a genuine, plausible story, with no pretensions. There are no cheats no trap doors no back doors no diversionary plot twists. We just walk a journey withThis movie succeeded on its mission brilliantly. As in life, the most complex situations flower from the simplest premises, telling a genuine, plausible story, with no pretensions. There are no cheats no trap doors no back doors no diversionary plot twists. We just walk a journey with two people who become unlikely friends, and the audience is taken along their ride of discovery, learning with them as they go, in the same world we all know.

This movie is first-rate in all the areas that matter the script, direction, performances and the low-budget, indie filmmaking is the only way to have gone with this one. A big Hollywood studio would have butchered this one.

The only criticisms I have are very modest ones. Some drama with the minor characters does not seem necessary? Yet, I would give this a pass. Life has its distractions, and this is a movie about life. Also, the well-worn premise of the "unlikely pair" an arbitrary two people whom fate has thrown together makes the first few scenes predictable. Don't let that push you away. Hang in there. And I do recommend multiple viewings.

I will not give away anything about this story. You deserve the same experience I had. That said, I will leave you with a question to ponder, and don't take it up until you have finished watching: is it ever good to hold a secret, even a big secret, away from someone who has every right to know?… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

amheretojudge

Sep 4, 2018

complex and three dimensional satirical accuracy..

Starlet Starlet is a character driven drama about a friendship that is bred with not so innocent incident but is undeniably one, to the core. It is surprisingly hilarious with smart humoristic sequences that works as an anecdote to thecomplex and three dimensional satirical accuracy..

Starlet

Starlet is a character driven drama about a friendship that is bred with not so innocent incident but is undeniably one, to the core. It is surprisingly hilarious with smart humoristic sequences that works as an anecdote to the rest of the heavy material offered for the rest of the part. The subjective procedure of the bonding is completely fresh for the viewers, as it doesn't follow the usual tactics to communicate, with a newer structure that is intriguing enough to invest in it. The characteristics of each character is one of its strength as it is mesmerizing to encounter it on screen when it enfolds into this behemoth complex and three dimensional satirical accuracy. Its poetic tone somewhat resembles with the short stories that are usually narrated to the younger ones and to experience the tale on screen told with such mature take, leaves the audience in an awe of it. The background score is almost non-existent but the viewers never misses it and the credit goes to Baker's fine skills. Jaw dropping cinematography and stunning visuals and locations with bright and breezy colors and fine editing decorates this feature into a soothing ride. Hemingway is convincing throughout the course with Johnson's amazing portrayal as a savior of the protagonist and on the other hand, Maeve's strong character that she justifies with her performance. Armed with such bold and gritty script, Baker marches on forward with his majestic execution skills that respects the mannerism of the genre. The mutual topic that the lead characters discuss about, a darker theme that actually seeks attention and brilliant execution are the high points of the feature. Starlet might not be the game changer but it certainly leaves the impression on you that might not easily be eradicated.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

PHL

Jan 11, 2013

The critics got this right (and I'm surprised the user score is so low). I loved this movie. It's absolutely charming, and I would recommend you see it. It's a New York Time's Critics' Pick!

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Cyberghost

Apr 30, 2013

A good movie about a young, energetic, friendly woman who, as a result of various circumstances, befriends a lovely, somewhat grumpy old lady. Not very original, as you've probably already surmised, there have been tons of movies, and TV shows covering the same relationship dynamic, andA good movie about a young, energetic, friendly woman who, as a result of various circumstances, befriends a lovely, somewhat grumpy old lady. Not very original, as you've probably already surmised, there have been tons of movies, and TV shows covering the same relationship dynamic, and quite possibly the same basic outline. Some of those good, others bad, still others horribly bad and cliche, this however is 1 of the good 1s. The acting, directing and story-line were all good, resulting in a mellow, slow paced film with tiny peeks of highs and lows.

It's shot in suburban L.A. and has a distinct L.A. feel to it, at least it did to me, in the neighborhoods, the mountainous backdrops and perhaps too in the characters. I suppose that might not be really important, but I like to get engrossed in he cities and countries I see in movies.

The 1 bad thing I'd have to say about this movie though would be the ending, it seemed really abrupt, I assume the director/writer wanted us to mull over the last scene as we finished he movie but really it just left you wanting to see that scene/conversation played out and wanting the words that were implied to actually be spoken.

Overall a good movie, not great but good.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Film13

Aug 24, 2013

It's sad to see a movie trying to tell a meaningful story go for shock by throwing an x-rated scene into the mix. I understand that the X industry is part of the storyline, but it was completely graphically unnecessary it badly overshadows the movie to a "0."

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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