Starlet

Director: Sean Baker
Writer: Sean Baker, Chris Bergoch
Cast: Dree Hemingway, Besedka Johnson, Stella Maeve, James Ransone, Karren Karagulian
Theatrical Release Date: Fri Nov 09 00:00:00 EST 2012
Distributor: Music Box Films
On The Web homepage

Synopsis: "Starlet" explores the unlikely friendship between 21 year-old Jane (Dree Hemingway), and 85 year-old Sadie (Besedka Johnson), two women whose worlds collide in California's San Fernando Valley. Jane spends her time getting high with her dysfunctional roommates, Melissa and Mikey, while taking care of her Chihuahua, Starlet. Sadie, an elderly widow, passes her days alone, tending to her flower garden. After a confrontation between the two women at Sadie's yard sale, Jane uncovers a hidden stash of money inside a relic from Sadie's past. Jane attempts to befriend the caustic older woman in an effort to solve her dilemma and secrets emerge as their relationship grows. [Synopsis courtesy of SXSW]

Thompson on Hollywood Reviews

Weekend Preview: Go Big with 'Skyfall' & 'Lincoln,' But 'Starlet' is Indie Must-See

Sam Mendes' "Skyfall" and Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" are both scoring high with critics and look to dominate the weekend box office. If American history and the Bond universe aren't to your taste, there's Sean Baker's significantly more down-to-earth "Starlet," which is in tune with the lives and ...
Read More »
Indiewire Reviews

Out This Week: From '28 Hotel Rooms' to 'Starlet,' 10 Reviews of New Releases

This weekly column is intended to provide reviews of nearly every new release, including films on VOD (and in certain cases some studio releases). Specifics release dates and locations follow each review.
Read More »
Criticwire Reviews

Criticwire Picks: Surprise! It's 'Skyfall.' Plus: How To Avoid 'Starlet' Spoilers

We knew from the first wave of "Skyfall" reviews that this film would be a positive entry into the Bond canon. Weeks later, it's the current pick of the week for this week's roundup of activity among critics in the Criticwire network.
Read More »
Indiewire Reviews

Filmmakers You Should Know: Sean Baker, Artisan of American Naturalism

No matter the scale of the production, American cinema largely reflects the conditions of a society that still has a hard time exploring its diversity. To put it simply: A lot of movies are made by white guys and revolve around white guys. American filmmaker Sean Baker is a white guy, but the four f...
Read More »
Indiewire Reviews

Critical Consensus: Ben Kenigsberg and Matt Singer Discuss SXSW 2012

Time Out Chicago film editor Ben Kenigsberg and Criticwire blogger Matt Singer discuss this year's SXSW Film Festival, which continues through the weekend.
Read More »