Spring Breakers Essay PDF

Title Spring Breakers Essay
Course Cultural Studies and the Popular Arts
Institution University of South Florida
Pages 3
File Size 100.9 KB
File Type PDF
Total Downloads 48
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Summary

First Essay for the Semester...


Description

Spring Breakers This film is about four young girls who seek adventure during their spring break and end up in a world of violence, money, and drugs. The beginning of this film shows the audience the characteristics of each protagonist as they struggle to gather up enough money to travel to Florida. This is meant to emphasize how much each character will change by the time the film is over. In order to accomplish their goal, the four used teamwork in a robbery to secure enough money for their trip. After this initial criminal act, the stage is set for the rest of the movie. The theme of this film appears to be the emphasis of how important spring break is in the lives of those who celebrate it. It is presented to the audience as the time of year that people receive the most enjoyment and self-reflection. The main characters of this film were even willing to steal what they needed from others just to secure their trip. The cultural assumptions shown in this film demonstrate how most US citizens interpret spring break in Florida. Fun on the beach and alcohol consumption were the primary focus of most shots of “fun” activities. I believe this film lived up to its potential for being a focus on what it’s like for those who celebrate spring break. Rather than making the movie dull and realistic, the audience is treated to a gangster film. In real life, the four protagonists of the film would’ve likely spent their time in jail and then went home. Luckily for them, they were instead bailed out by Alien and shown the luxuries of a criminal lifestyle. Three of the four girls were captivated by Alien’s material possessions. However, Faith was the only one out of the group who didn’t find enjoyment in this. She instead opted to go home instead, which her friends heavily advised against. Going against her friend’s wishes, Faith takes the bus home and leaves her friends behind to continue their spring break celebration.

The point of view in Spring Breakers constantly shifts between numerous main characters within the film. During the robbery scene, the entire shot takes place within the car while the action takes place in the background. When the four girls are later discussing this, their recap of this event reveals to the audience what it was like on the inside. After Cotty gets shot, the audience is shown her adjusting to the pain and her realization of the danger she has been in. While this is happening, Alien is shown singing to himself on the piano and contemplating revenge. So the audience is meant to see the story unfold from the perspective of each character, rather than observing it from a singular perspective. There are multiple instances of flashbacks in this film. Whenever Faith’s friends are telling her about the robbery, the audience is shown the scene a second time, but from a different perspective. Near the end of the film, Candy and Brit are seen calling their mothers. This is meant to imply to the audience that they are calling one final time as a way to say goodbye before assaulting Big Arch’s place. However, it is later revealed that these calls were made after successfully getting revenge for Cotty’s shot to the arm. The shooting scene had already taken place and the audience was watching a flashback during that entire segment of the film. The Décor in Alien’s place was what stood out the most in the scenes shot there. This room was meant to impress the women that he brought into it, which was made clear whenever he began to brag about it. The guns were a representation of his masculinity and meant to show a side of danger to the character. The drugs and money spread around represented his wealth and accessibility to illegal substances. There was a shot showing a collection of hats displayed on the walls while Alien was bragging about having every color of shorts. The back yard had a pool, piano, and a view of the ocean. Even his bed was meant to be luxurious and possess a unique

look. The scenery of this location allows the audience to understand why this place is so enjoyable for some of the characters and why they want to stay. The genre of this film appears to be a thriller. There is suspense and action within this film center around dangerous criminal activities. The first instance of this was the robbery of the diner near the beginning of the film. This moment set the stage for these characters by showing the audience that they were willing to do whatever it took to succeed in their goals. It was later revealed that they felt no remorse for their actions. They actually found enjoyment in holding guns at people and giving them orders. This is revisited in a later scene when Brit and Candy point loaded guns at Alien and threaten to end his life. Rather than scaring the gangster away, he claims that their actions caused him to fall in love. There were numerous character types within this film. Faith was portrayed as a religious girl who didn’t engage in violence like her other friends. She was the only person to sense I believe that Spring Breakers was an excellent film. I never felt bored while watching it and was genuinely curious where these girls would end up by the end of the film. However, that is not to say that the film doesn’t have its flaws. The beginning of the film is exclusively narrated by Faith, leading the audience to believe she is the main character. But once she takes the bus home, she is never seen or heard from again. After their other friend gets shot, she also returns home. Ny the end of the film, the two remaining girls also made the decision to go home. The ending of the film was meant to emphasize to the audience that these characters were returning to their lives after enjoying a spring break they will never forget....


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