Tangerine (2015)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

(translated) Feels fake. Los Angeles is a beautifully wrapped lie.

I've been excited to watch this film ever since I saw The Florida Project (2017) and Starlet (2012).

Tangerine grew on me. With fantastic acting, pacing, and camera work, this film builds a narrative that feels human and raw. By the end, I realized how invested I had become in the characters and their journey.

Edit: I see a lot of people calling this film a comedy, and I disagree. I think Tangerine strives to be a meaningful drama, and it's worth arguing whether or not it succeeds. Rodriguez and Taylor brought world-class performances that made the movie work, but the themes of violence and voyeurism didn't feel respectful of the trans experience.