Decided to see Sean Baker's previous work to get myself prepared for his recent film out in cinemas now 'The Florida Project'. Seeing 2012's 'Starlet' first up has gotten me even more psyched, because while not quite perfect 'Starlet' was a very impressive little film deserving to be better known. It may not be for everybody's tastes, but even with Baker's style and direction no being familiar to me it was hard not to fall under its spell.A few of the plot twists in 'Starlet' are perhaps executed a little too neatly and while the ending is very poignant it's slightly on the abrupt side as well. That's it though for the minor faults that are eclipsed by everything else that is done right. While it may take some getting used to for some, the sunny and slightly bleached colours and slightly off-kilter but very naturalistic filming (that's very evocative and not amateurish like it can be easily mistaken as).'Starlet' really stands out in the writing, with a great balance of funny comedy, charming warmth, understated sweetness and touching drama. The story likewise, it really made me feel warm inside, it made me laugh, it surprised me, it charmed me and it moved me. It is easy for anybody to feel that the more explicit content is gratuitous, not to me, instead it felt sensual and real with an ability to shock that just added another layer to the drama.Baker's direction is adroit and he paces everything beautifully. The portrayal of an unlikely relationship is executed in a way that makes one laugh, cry and think.Can't say anything bad about the performances either, with a deservedly star-making lead performance from Dree Hemingway, who really is one to watch for anybody else unfamiliar to her before watching. The spikiness and vulnerability of that of Besedka Johnson makes one wonder how she wasn't discovered sooner (it is just as sad too that she died not long after the film's release). The dog Boonee as the titular character is absolutely adorable.In conclusion, a lovely film that shines brightly. 8/10 Bethany Cox

My Wife and I watched the at home last night, and wanted to extend the experience with IMDb audience, so I dug into the back story, -- those who made the film in all capacities and other comments such as this. I loved these people in the film, and wanted to extend their "relationship" for as long as possible. The film, rather than being a scaffolding for dramatic tension, was a minimalist plausible story to allow the two main characters, one nearing the end of her life and the other at the beginning, to connect. The occasion for the meeting while unusual, advanced the plot without overpowering the story. I have just viewed this short video interview of the two leads, Basedka Johnson, who played the elderly Sadie, and Dee Hemingway who portrayed Jane. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsFjMldSSnE If you loved the film, watch it. If the profession of casting is discovering individuals who encompass the genuine emotions of the fictional characters of a drama, then this was an inspired example of the art. No looking through face shots or previous performances for casting Sadie, as an executive director recognized her character in the women next to her at a local fitness center, and uttered the mythic Hollywood words, "You could be great for the lead part in a film we are making." This is further discussed in the video I reference. Not exactly the best time of life to get such an opportunity, but Basedka jumped at it, with the due caution of her age. I'm not sure that this magnificent film actually represents the finest example of the actors craft, which at its best can only be a close simulation of reality. What I felt watching the film, and now have confirmed by the single video of the two, and there will be no more since Basheda died soon after at 87, are two people of independent minds who have genuine affection for each other. Those who wrote, directed, edited and contributed to creating this film had the sense and restraint to provide a serviceable vehicle for this to be played out without any undue interference. They have allowed millions of people to be with two genuine people and their characters for a brief time, who in both realms come from very different backgrounds, yet who share a common humanity. Even the usually seedy world of pornography became just what they did for a living, rather than defining them any more than any other occupation. For someone much closer to Basheda's age than to Dee's, it is inspiring that she toughed out those last years, and was able to take the surprise of instant fame before it was all over. There are levels of this film that I still haven't been able to fully internalize, much less describe, which is a sign of a work of art that affects the viewer in ways that defy explanation.

When I attended a screening of this indie at the 2013 Glasgow Film Festival there were only four other people in the auditorium! But we happy few saw a real gem: Dree Hemingway plays a young porn star who buys a flask from an old woman (Besedka Johnson), only to discover the flask contains several thousand dollars. When Johnson, thinking she's after a refund, refuses to discuss the flask, Hemingway resolves to do the older woman good turns instead, and gradually a relationship develops between the two.In a way it's a shame there's so much swearing and sexual content (including a scene of unsimulated sex) in the film, as the central soapy portrayal of the friendship between the two women means it would fit nicely in the inoffensive Sunday afternoon slot on BBC2, if it were more family-friendly. It's not perfect: Hemingway's Valley girl drawl is wearing at times, and some of the dialogue has the smell of "workshopped-dialogue-don't-know-how-to-bring-this-scene-to-a-close" about it, but minor gripes aside this is a nice character piece and I'd happily watch it again, even if it means breaking my 'no performing animals' rule (thankfully the dog - the 'Starlet' of the title - isn't asked to do anything dogs don't normally do).

I want to make it clear, Dree Hemingway is a legitimate actress, not a real pornstar. But here she plays Jane renting a room in someone else's home, going about her daily business, at first with no indication of what she does for a living. It is gradually revealed, she is a pornstar. But in most respects seems like a normal 20-something.The room she rents is pretty bare, so she drives around one day, going from yard sale to yard sale, to pick up a few things to decorate her space. One of the places is the home of an older lady, approaching 90, Besedka Johnson as Sadie. There she buys a tall thermos bottle, intending to use it as a vase. Sadie warns her "the sale is final" and this plays into the further scenes.This is a curious slice of life story, I find myself unable to attach a legitimate "score" because it depends on what one looks for in a small, independent movie. It ultimately is about the unlikely relationship that forms between Jane and Sadie, and things that are gradually revealed by each. (An interesting aside, Jane and Sadie have a short conversation about their astrological signs. The actress who plays Sadie is new to the acting business, she had been an astrologer!)SPOILERS: When Jane got the thermos home she found inside a number of rolls of $100 bills, $10,000 in all. Wrestling with her conscience she decided to bring it back, but the old lady said "No returns" and shut the door. But Jane persisted, she found ways to be where Sadie was, offered her rides, befriended her. In the process Jane found out Sadie didn't lack for money, her husband had been a very successful gambler, and the $10,000 in the thermos was no doubt his. So eventually Jane hatched a plan to spend all the money on Sadie, to bring her to Paris for a week, a place Sadie "loved" but had never been. Even though Jane's jealous house-mate went over and told Sadie "Jane has a lot of your money", Sadie was happy in the fact that she had found a friend.