Sofia Coppola's fifth feature, The Bling Ring, is based on the real-life events involving a group of teenagers robbing the homes of Hollywood celebrities, a fact that makes the film instantly more fascinating than it might otherwise be. A strong ensemble cast of newcomers mixed with big names such as Emma Watson and Leslie Mann (playing daughter and mother) brings what could have been a lacklustre script and one-dimensional characters to life. In particular, Katie Chang and Israel Broussard give believable performances as the effortlessly cool, sweet-faced yet rebellious ringleader Rebecca Ahn and the shy, self-conscious new kid-turned-fashionista/Ahn's best friend, Marc Hall. Although based on real people, it's refreshing to see a woman of colour in a lead role, and a gay character who isn't a caricature or stereotype. Watson also shines as the manipulative, sneering Nicki Moore.
Though some might dismiss The Bling Ring as shallow entertainment or glamorisation of petty crime, it's an interesting comment — if a little sententious at times — on our obsession with celebrity culture (and blatant disregard for their privacy) and the way that broadcasting our lives via social media is second nature nowadays: if it's not on the internet for all to see, did it really happen? Ahn and co. want nothing more than to be a part of the glitzy Hollywood A-list world and both their crimes and the aftermath allowed them that; first the (pretence of the) lifestyle, then the fame/infamy.
In cinemas Thursday 8 August.
