"The Bling Ring," the latest film from Sofia Coppola, has a genuinely intriguing premise that's ripped straight from the headlines: a group of fashion-obsessed teens decide to burglarize the homes of celebrities like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, stealing their designer clothes and possessions, and actually getting away with it (at least until the cops eventually catch up to their antics). It's definitely an exciting, topical story, and Coppola does her best to expose how materialistic and self-absorbed our modern culture has become, but not enough attention is ever put into the characters. It's an issue that unfortunately never comes around to fixing itself, as we follow these five shallow young people invading homes, taking as many items as they can carry, and indulging in drugs without any remorse at all. We're never allowed to look past the artifice and see the human souls inside, if there even are any. But even with that one glaring fault, at least the performances are entertaining. Emma Watson gives a standout performance as a spoiled, self-obsessed teen who considers herself the center of the universe, although surprisingly enough, she's not the ringleader of this group. That would be breakout star Katie Chang, who perfectly portrays one of the most detestably vapid characters ever put on screen. Israel Broussard's role, while certainly a lot more relatable and sympathetic than his co-stars as the new kid in school who's just trying to find a way to fit in, isn't nearly given enough of a chance to prove himself as the well-realized protagonist he could've been, but in a movie like this, you take what you can get. As for the script, it's nicely written to an extent, but it almost feels too repetitive and straightforward, making me wish it could've truly delved beneath the thin surface of its characters and given us a better understanding of their intentions. But is that to say this film is completely flawed? Of course not. It actually boasts some of the best cinematography I've seen in any art house film in a while. Some of the camera techniques are bravely unique, and the visuals of Los Angeles are simply gorgeous. The soundtrack is an added bonus, as it's filled with catchy singles from artists ranging from Kanye West to Azealia Banks. At the end of the day, "The Bling Ring" isn't a film for everybody. It's a polarizing, often unflinching look at the excess of fame and celebrity culture through the eyes of five misguided teens. Yes, it's far from perfect, and some of the narrative flaws do end up dragging this film down a bit, but if you're a fan of Coppola's pictures, witty deadpan humor, and tabloid teenage culture, it's worth checking out.
