FILM CHOICE

The Florida Project Film4, 11.55pm

SINGLE mother Halley (brilliantly played by newcomer Bria Vinaite) sells designer fragrances to wealthy theme park visitors, aided by her precocious six-year-old daughter Moonee (Brooklynn Prince). It’s a struggle to raise the rent for a single room at the Magic Castle Motel and placate long-suffering manager Bobby (Willem Dafoe, pictured above). During the day, little Moonee goes on adventures with other children. Their escapades drive Bobby to distraction, and an increasingly volatile Halley resorts to desperate measures to as she tries to evade social services – particularly when Moonee’s mischief begins to escalate to dangerous levels. The Florida Project is an exuberant portrait of families living hand-tomouth in the shadow of Disney World. It’s an emotionally raw and unflinching character study, but the film softens the impact with earthy humour and humanity.