I will start with the unnecessary (but not necessarily negative) interjection of the adult film industry theme into this film which I feel detracts somewhat from the ultimate story. It is not that adult film performers don't have normal emotions but it just seems distracting from the ultimate story, which is simply the emotional bond that forms between a young woman with an aimless lifestyle and good heart who confronts her own guilt about a wrong she commits against an old woman by undertaking her version of atonement for that wrong.The plot is deceptively simple, a young woman discovers $10,000 hidden in a thermos flask she buys in a yard sale from an old woman. She then confronts the moral dilemma and guilt of keeping the money and ultimately decides, after hearing that the old woman she bought the thermos from does not need the money, to spend the money primarily on making the old woman happy and seeks out the old woman's companionship. This premise, and the skillful mining of that premise, is expertly accomplished by the talented cast and director.One or two commenters say the theme has been done before. But what theme or plot has not been done before? It is the trip itself that is the reward and the viewer is treated to good acting, crisp and insightful scripting,and a wonderful ride.Another commenter thought the ending was abrupt and uncertain. It was anything but. The old woman at the end after learning of the money, in a masterful and understated ending showed her forgiveness for the young woman's guilty errors and heartfelt atonement, and showed her closeness and feelings for the young woman by indirectly disclosing her deepest personal secret through the simple act of asking flowers to be placed on a grave.I have to think hard to come up with a more masterful ending to a movie then the subtle ending of this low-key immensely entertaining indie film. Highly recommended.

Starlet is a character study very much in the spirit of films from the 70s. I think the director was influenced by the likes of Hal Ashby and Paul Mazursky.A young, slightly aimless woman who has just moved San Fernando Valley, buys a vintage thermos flask at a yard sale from a cranky old lady and discovers $10.000 inside. After making a half-hearted attempt to give it back, she keeps the money, but then feels guilty and tries to befriend the old woman, who remains guarded to the point of hostility at the prospect of having her life disrupted.The film doesn't ever resort to cosy indie movie clichés about the old passing on their wisdom the the young and life lessons being learned. It also doesn't exploit the young woman's line of business for cheap melodrama, as lesser films would. Both lead performances are wonderful and a cute dog always helps.The film looks and sounds gorgeous and the director has a knack for what to show us and what to leave out. It's another good case for digital film-making. Talented independent film makers can now make great looking films for peanuts, which is just as well considering Hollywood has almost completely given up on making films for adults. BTW. the trailer makes this look like another anodyne "heart warming" indie, full of laughter and whimsy, when really it's a much more melancholy, ambivalent and subtle film.

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, and quite possibly the same basic outline. Some of those good, others bad, still others horribly bad and cliché, 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.

I'm going to keep this simple as possible i just watched and interview with the director.Who explains the film and where he was coming from when he created it .He explained the relationship between the two characters as like a harold and maude. In that respect he nailed it ,he also said this was and adult film.Harold and maude was more of a solid story with more substance.So if your a fan of harold and maude and or watched it and became a fan of it .Don't waste your time watching this because it shits on the original format big time.This movie starts off like its going to be a story about a younger woman and a older woman.As the main plot line but, the more i watched i saw that the movie was about this girl being in the porn industry.Then her relationship with the older woman.Hate to sound cynical but this is just and adult film with a some what solid plot.For those who haven't seen it,there is a explicit sex scene in it .I know sean baker is known for his realism.In today's age realism has become the ultimate cliché making him irrelevant.He should of just focused on making a solid effective story .Instead he went for those kick in the gut reactions its 2012 buddy get with the times.The acting was phenonmenal..coming from the old lady .It was so good i thought they just hired a regualr person to do that part . All the other actors were so/so. Dree hemingway is a decent actress can't say much else for the girl.Compared to her co star she also looked like a random girl off the street.One that had very little business with acting period .The writing at times seemed like filler except when it was between the two main actors.Overall the 6.5 rating was too high for me but i did give it some credit.If your looking to be blown away and touched by a performance.Please go see this movie mainly for besedka johnson you will not be disappointed.If your interested in seeing and adult film with a plot also go see this film you wont be disappointed. If your looking for a great story with substance and a redeeming quality don't bother.