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Starlet

Released Nov 9, 2012 1h 47m Drama List
87% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 69% Audience Score 2,500+ Ratings
A young woman (Dree Hemingway) finds a fortune stashed in a yard-sale thermos and befriends the crotchety oldster (Besedka Johnson) from whom she bought it. Read More Read Less

Critics Reviews

View All (45) Critics Reviews
A.A. Dowd Time Out Chicago No amount of strong acting, however, can entirely compensate for the dramatic conveniences or every shrill appearance by Jane's cartoonishly despicable roommates. Rated: 2/5 Jan 8, 2013 Full Review Elizabeth Weitzman New York Daily News Baker effectively juxtaposes two vastly different worlds, though he never makes the case that either is as significant as the gauzy visuals suggest. Jan 8, 2013 Full Review Brian Tallerico HollywoodChicago.com When the film has to get into more depth regarding its characters futures and pasts, it falters a bit but there's still a lot to like here. Rated: 3.5/5.0 Dec 7, 2012 Full Review Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site Starlet is chilly, superficial and unpleasant. Feb 28, 2021 Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row Baker directs with such sensitivity and grace, allowing the story to reveal itself in a disarmingly moving way. Rated: 3.5/4 Aug 6, 2019 Full Review Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ...has a sunny SoCal vibe that belies its tawdry milieu Rated: 88/100 Apr 27, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (108) audience reviews
Petros T Featuring great performances by the leading duo of Dree Hemingway and Besedka Johnson, the beautifully shot "Starlet" is an endearing watch. Baker and Bergoch's slice-of-life script is captivating: the characters and their arc are really well done and carry the film on their shoulders as they immerse the viewer in every little moment for the entire duration. And although familiar tropes aren't avoided, the film never becomes hackneyed, emerging instead as emotionally powerful in its restraint. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/11/23 Full Review Duncan L Friendship, heart, and a little bit of porn. Memorable. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/28/23 Full Review Jed I 6.3/10 — "Okay"/"Watchable" -(Seen on 4/30/23) Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/02/23 Full Review James B *Spoiler Alert* Another great American Indy gem from Sean Baker, enjoyed the film but I found the motivation of the lead character perplexing. So she felt guilty about keeping all the money she discovered in the thermos so she gets to know the old lady. If she felt guilty then why not just try to tell her again (after she'd cut her off and slammed the door in her face the first time). And then offers to take her to Paris, bizarre. Maybe I'm just being too simplistic and then the old lady did say she has more money than she could spend from her late husband. Just seemed like an odd way to start a friendship. Other than that a great film, I prefer his others but only slightly; they've all been really solid films. I really love this director's films so much, I get so engaged in his films that when the movie is over it's like waking up from a dream. I can't wait to see what this Indy legend creates next, I'm officially a fan. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member I rented this film after watching and loving Red Rocket and Florida Project. What a trip! Great performances, very fun premise. It's sweet without ever being cheesy. Highly recommend if you liked other Sean Baker movies. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review william d Watching this movie was a decent enough way to spend a lazy afternoon. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Starlet

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis A young woman (Dree Hemingway) finds a fortune stashed in a yard-sale thermos and befriends the crotchety oldster (Besedka Johnson) from whom she bought it.
Director
Sean Baker
Producer
Blake Ashman, Kevin Chinoy, Francesca Silvestri, Patrick Cunningham, Chris Maybach
Screenwriter
Sean Baker, Chris Bergoch
Distributor
Music Box Films
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 9, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 4, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$86.2K
Runtime
1h 47m