By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.5 cats
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: James Ransone | Karren Karagulian | Kitana Kiki Rodriguez | Mickey O’Hagan | Mya Taylor
Country: united_states
Year: 2015
Running time: 88
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3824458/reference
Jason says: “One almost wants TANGERINE to get through its entire length without any sort of real consequences, because the movie Sean Baker has built moves forward with such great chaotic energy that actually slowing down enough for someone to actually accomplish something substantive seems like it could throw everything off the rails. It kind of does, but mostly in the right way.
“It starts out introducing the audience to Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) and Alexandra (Mya Taylor), a couple of transsexual prostitutes sharing a donut because they are broke, especially with Sin-Dee just out of jail – and she is not happy to hear that her pimp/boyfriend Chester has been cheating on her with some white girl with a vagina. She’s off to find out what’s going on, Alexandra saying she wants no part of any drama (although what did she think was going to happen when she let that slip?). Elsewhere in West Hollywood, Armenian cab driver Razmik (Karren Karagulian) plies his trade, although it seems like he would rather have a few minutes with one of these girls with something extra than go back home to where his mother-in-law has set up shop.
“Sin-Dee and TANGERINE as a film both feel kind of like wind-up toys as they start, something has cranked a bunch of tension into her spring and then dropped her into a situation, sending her bouncing off various obstacles but keeping her pointed in the general direction she wants to go. It might almost be too frantic if it wasn’t regularly interspersed with Razmik dealing with various sorts of deadpan awkwardness, keeping the movie from burning itself out too early. Instead, it manages to be pretty explosively funny, and not just because the film has the ability to shock: Situations that get big initial laughs are allowed to recharge their batteries rather than drag out, while new characters being introduced and others going their separate ways keeps things fairly fresh.
“Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor are probably the biggest parts of why these jokes work, though – they may be playing loud, somewhat stereotypical characters, but they’re also playing classic comedy types as the ditzy loose cannon and the more sensible best friend who, though her boiling point may be higher, can explode just as violently. They’re the sort of odd couple that you can probably drop in a lot of situations and have funny events transpire, and their low spot on the societal totem pole here is perfect for this sort of comedy, with Rodriguez’s Sin-Dee having no reason not to be brazen in taking or defending what she feels is hers and Taylor’s Alexandra trying to grasp upward, even if it means she’s probably not making a lot of friends in doing so.
“That being part of the low life is what makes the film a bit more interesting and dramatic amid the shrieking hysterics; Sin-Dee and Alexandra have so damn little, especially when considering how present-day society doesn’t afford the transgendered a lot of respect, that it’s not hard to cut them a lot of slack as they grab for what they want or view Razmik in a fairly positive light just because he seems to like them. As the movie goes on, though, it becomes more and more clear that these people are in a toxic situation, and while the silent implication is that there aren’t a lot of better/more respectable options available in many cases, Baker and co-writer Chris Bergoch do a good job of making sure that the audience as much as the characters has to make their peace with that, especially with any sort of story that would easily lift the characters out of their situation out of reach.
“Given how the characters and their world are on the fringes, it’s not surprising that Baker and company made this on a shoestring; what is surprising is just how impressive it winds up looking. The film was shot on mobile phones which weren’t given particularly fancy upgrades, but more impressive than the capture technology we carry in our pockets these days is how Baker and fellow cinematographer Radium Cheung take this sort of equipment and make shots that race down a street without feeling jittery or over-processed; the camera almost feels virtual at times. The tricky transition from day to night is handled smoothly, and the world the characters inhabit often seems right on the edge of being hidden – like one wouldn’t see it if not looking for it.
“TANGERINE is getting a lot of attention both for its unconventional heroines and for being the latest data point in how you can now make a professional movie with very commonplace equipment, and it should. Just as important, though, is that it doesn’t need to be a pioneer to be recommended – it’s funny and smart despite its characters frequently being dumb, and will likely keep entertaining long after the novelty wears off. 4.25 cats
“Seen 13 July 2015 in J.A. De Seve Theatre (Fantasia International Film Festival, DCP)”
Chris says: “Sean Baker’s so-microbudget-that-it-was-shot-on-an-iPhone (though it looks good enough that you’d never guess) feature appears to be a throwback to indie film’s golden age (‘80s Jarmusch, but also New Queer Cinema) in that it seems like it came from out of nowhere to saturate the festival and arthouse circuits (it has quietly grossed $600K in six weeks). It’s far more modern than that—innovative, actually, in how naturally it presents its two male-to-female transgender leads, Mya Taylor and Kitana Kiki Rodriguez. Some may balk that they’re both playing prostitutes (respectively named Alexandra and, ahem, Sin-Dee), and at first, the film can barely keep up with its motormouthed duo as they seem to invite drama and create chaos wherever they go.
“Happily, within 10-15 minutes, Baker and his leads establish a followable, endearing rhythm as they traverse L.A.’s seedy sidewalks and parking lots and the corner donut shop which serves as the film’s home base. The story centers on a single day-into-night search for the girl rumored to be sleeping with Sin-Dee’s pimp/boyfriend Chester (James Ransome). Then, Baker introduces a parallel narrative involving Armenian cabbie Razmik (Karren Karagulian) whose path intersects with the leads intermittently until both strands eventually, fully align with an extended screwball exchange back at that donut shop.
“The film succeeds largely in part of Baker’s direction of his cast. From the start, you pick up on Taylor’s and Rodriguez’s chemistry; both are also strong enough to carry scenes individually–especially Taylor, whose karaoke performance is a highlight (she could easily achieve Laverne Cox-level fame with a higher-profile role). Karaguilan maintains his protagonist status even as the film reveals increasingly less savory facets of his character. Ransome’s Chester is like an older and slightly (but really not much) wiser iteration of the actor’s best known role, fuck-up Ziggy from season 2 of THE WIRE. For all its zesty trash-talk and colorful situations, TANGERINE is more or less about friendship—how you’ll put up with a friend, remain loyal to them, or just simply be there for them in good times and bad. Remarkably, Baker emphasizes these points in the final two scenes not with cloying sentimentality but via a lived-in bond between Alexandra and Sin-Dee that feels honest and earned. 4.5 cats”
Julie says: “I loved this one – must see for noms! Great acting from newbies Mya and Kitana (neither had been on film before this, although I believe that both have been on stage), LOVED the music and editing, cinematography was very good (done on an i-phone! you would never know!). A lot of energy to this one! And a nice story about friendship as well.
“I lived in LA for about 3 years when I was in college and have a funny story about that area I can tell you sometime. 4.67 cats”
Kyle says: “One of my favorite films of the year. I have nominated it in 5 or 6 categories. I strongly urge anybody who has not seen it to see it while you can, on Netflix streaming. The fact that it was shot on an iPhone 5 makes it a major technological achievement (aside from all the artistic triumphs).”
Julie responds: “When I watched it, I had no idea how it was filmed and just loved it for what it was-
“The editing (insertion of music as a part of this process) really stands out in this one, but really everything about it in each nominating category is an A+ or at least nom worthy – as Kyle is pointing out ”
Peter says: “I loved the performances and originality as well as the quirkiness of TANGERINE. For such a limited budget, it was an entertaining film.”
Philip says: “Girl, I finally caught the insane indie TANGERINE tonight. You know the one I’m talking about. Girl, it’s the one they shot on an iPhone 5S girl. Tangerine swept the indie film circuit like a wildfire. TANGERINE takes a totally un-pc look at transgender working girls doing what they do best – turning tricks, doing drugs and causing drama. Girl the one girl, Sin-Dee just got out of jail – 28 days and her bestie Alexandra lets it slip that Sin-Dee’s pimp boyfriend cheated on her with a cis female. Girl at first I was afraid, I was petrified… no seriously girl, at first I was worried Tangerine would turn insipid. Sometimes it’s hard watching the children make the same mistakes generation after generation. And then I lost my movie partner due to yet another unnecessary vomit scene. But after a while, I couldn’t help but laugh along with the girls and then the film got all deep and shit. But still stayed street. So much so that it made me write this review as if I am a character in the film. It also reminded me how much I miss calling my best friends, girl. So girl if you’re out there reading this. And if you’re not afraid of crazy trans girls combing the streets of LA in search of revenge, check out the beautiful indie film, TANGERINE. 5 cats
“Review courtesy of Reel Charlie.”