Tangerine follows two best friends, Sin-Dee and Alexandra, through the course of a single day as they search the streets of Los Angeles for Sin-Dee’s cheating boyfriend. I really enjoyed the film; it was incredibly entertaining and hilarious, while simultaneously dealing with the raw and realistic life of these transgender sex-workers. It’s unique and ultimately very heartfelt.
I was really impressed and surprised to find out it was shot all on an iPhone. Watching the film without knowing that, I honestly couldn’t tell. Now knowing after the fact, I wonder if I would notice upon re-watching the film. Yet, something that impressed me even more was that the two main actresses adlibbed most of their lines. It just goes to show the talent Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor have, especially since it seems like Tangerine was one of the first films for both of them. While it was written and directed by a white person, like Paris is Burning, these adlibs give the film more of an authentic feel and I think really make the movie. Also, authenticity comes from the portrayals by Rodriguez and Taylor as they both actually experienced first-hand the things depicted in the film.
I love the film’s bright orange-tangerine color (hence the title), as well as the music. I found the storyline with the cab driver really interesting; from the beginning not knowing how he connected to the main plot, and slowly piecing things together as the film progressed. I also liked the fact that everything came full circle, from Sin-Dee Alexandra starting the morning at Donut Time, to the end of the night coming right back there to finally meet Chester. I think my favorite part of the film is the never-dying friendship between Sin-Dee and Alexandra. They’ve been through so much, but after everything they are still there for each other no matter what. Ending with them at the laundromat, and Alexandra giving Sin-Dee her wig was really touching and a beautiful end to the film.
(I just tried to leave a comment but it disappeared when I hit publish so sorry if you see roughly the same comment twice.)
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know what to think of Alexandra's "betrayal." When she was so hesitant to say who Chester was fooling around with at the beginning of the movie, I thought it was kind of suspicious. Throughout the movie, I kind of ended up being like "I guess it wasn't Alexandra." It didn't feel to great to be right about that in the end. I guess I didn't see the laundromat scene as a total reconciliation, but it was a step toward making up.
I have also been thinking a lot about the idea of authenticity in the movie. When we were discussing the production of Paris is Burning and the issues that came out of it, I wondered if it was possible for a white, non-queer person to help create a film that gave appropriate voice and power to people from a different identity. I think Tangerine is a step in the right direction because the director worked with actual members of the community who, as you said, actually lived the experience. I think this brings an accurate and authentic depiction of this marginalized community through creative agency.
ReplyDeleteI really love the ending. It is touching in a way I don't know how to describe. And the fact that the film is shot on iPhone is also really fantastic! And yes, the color of the film is really beautiful!
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