Spring Breakers

Starring: James Franco, Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson, Rachel Korine
Directed by: Harmony Korine
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
2013

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Four friends (Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson, Rachel Korine) head to spring break after a robbery to fund their adventure. There, they run afoul of the law and befriend a dangerous gangster (James Franco).

Review:

Tim: I was surprisingly looking forward to seeing Spring Breakers. It got significantly better reviews than I expected, and with a crazy performance by James Franco, it seemed this would be a memorable, very different film. I have to give Harmony Korine credit, because this film is certainly unique, and unlike anything you've seen. It is a nonlinear, artistic film that happens to be about sex, drugs, and violence. It's really odd. This could have been a really good thing, and I suppose I understand how some people could like it- you go in expecting a stupid, typical film, and this movie is anything but expected. That surprise could make some people like this movie. I, on the other hand, took a different view. The nonlinear, repetitive, artistic way this film was shot certainly makes it unique- it also makes it nearly unwatchable. I struggled mightily to finish this 94 minute film (it felt longer). I just did not connect with Korine's vision. While I at first marveled at the way he shot the film, I very quickly grew annoyed with it. I understand trying to be different and unique, but what good is an artistic, original vision if the audience can barely sit through it? For example, Korine has Franco do this voice over where he says, "Spring....break" over and over and over again. He does it in his weird, odd way, but it just got annoying quickly. It eventually felt like fingernails on a chalkboard for me.

None of the characters in the film are the least bit likable. Even the "good" character bored me, and she quickly departs the film. It was an odd choice to introduce us to these characters, ask us to care about them, and then remove them one by one. That just felt unsatisfying to me, as characters depart, and their stories felt unfinished. This movie never gave me a reason to care about anything happening on screen, other than saying, "Wow, what a different approach Korine took to this film. I've never seen something like this." That got old quickly.

I suppose Franco gets credit for giving us a crazy, different performance. He was certainly memorable as Alien, this oddball gangster. I'll remember his performance, even if I didn't particularly love it. It grated on my nerves. The girls in the film were all average. Selena Gomez plays the "good" girl who does bad things. She really bored me, and I never really cared about her character. She left laughably long and unrealistic voice messages to her family, and ground the film's momentum to a halt every time she was on screen. Gomez really isn't very good. Vanessa Hudgens isn't good, either. I honestly can't remember a single detail about her character or her performance. It's beyond bland. Ashley Benson and Rachel Korine added nothing as well. Besides running around in little clothing and acting drunk and stupid, these girls added nothing to the film. Better actresses were needed all around.

I know a good many people liked this movie, and if they could derive some pleasure from this film, then more power to them. I personally had an awful time watching this film. It's one of the worst movies I have seen in a long, long time.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 2.5



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