Tangerine-2015

Director Sean Baker

Starring Kitana Kiki Rodriguez

Scott’s Review #301

Reviewed December 17, 2015

Grade: A

On the rare occasion that I am lucky and privileged enough to stumble upon a gem like Tangerine (2015), it reaffirms my faith in film and creative filmmakers in general.

Here is a universal lesson: it doesn’t take oodles of money to make a great film. This film was shot with three smartphones!!

It takes talent and creativity.

Tangerine is a groundbreaking film, the first (that I am aware of, anyway) to feature transgender actresses at the forefront of a feature.

The film has earned multiple Independent Spirit Award nominations.

Shot in a documentary style with grittiness and a frenetic pace, and mixing unique styles of music (hip hop to classic) as the score (a childlike tune begins the film), Tangerine stands out in both story and visual style.

The film’s first scene begins with two transgender sex workers- Sin-Dee Rella and Alexandra- having a conversation in a coffee shop.

Sin-Dee has just been released from jail and learns that her boyfriend and pimp, Chester (James Ransone), has been cheating on her.

It is Christmas Eve.

The film explores Sin-Dee’s rage and her subsequent search across Los Angeles for Chester and the girl he’s been with. She vows revenge on them both.

However, beyond this plot point, the heart of the film is the loneliness and isolation that most of the characters (trans and otherwise) share, in one form or another.

Interspersed with the Sin-Dee story are stories about Alexandra’s feud with a “john” and her pursuit of a singing career.

Another interesting story is that of a straight male, Razmik, an Armenian cab driver who is enamored with transgender sex workers.

This may sound bizarre or too out there for some, but Razmik’s story is quite tender and compelling.

He has a wife, child, and other relatives and is the breadwinner. He is also very conflicted. He does not “use” the sex workers, but rather cares for them and admires them.

I found all three principal characters interesting in different ways- Sin-Dee and Alex are over-the-top, yet sensitive. While Sin-Dee is aggressive and vengeful, Alex is the kinder of the two and the more sensible and rational.

She is a sex worker but aspires to more out of life. Razmik is even more interesting- does he have a fetish? Is he shameful for spending money on prostitutes while supporting a wife and child?

All the characters are victimized in one form or another, and all are dysfunctional, yet weirdly likable.

I saw moments of Quentin Tarantino’s film style on screen, most notably in the coffee-shop scenes (the beginning and final scenes), as all hell breaks loose and the characters delve into all sorts of crazy behavior.

Tangerine is a sweet tale about friendship too.

It is a memorable and powerful film experience.

In the end, all the characters are hurting and living sad lives, especially since it’s set on Christmas Eve, which might make the film sound depressing, but it isn’t.

I found it almost uplifting in a way.

Tangerine (2015) is a completely original, groundbreaking film that I hope people will remember and appreciate fifty years from now.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 1 win-Best Feature, Best Director-Sean Baker, Best Female Lead-Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Best Supporting Female-Mya Taylor (won), Piaget Producers Award