Writer: Lorraine Tan

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Watch this if you liked: “Sugar and Spice”, “Project X”, “I Love You Beth Cooper”

A bunch of college friends feeling bored and stuck in college life, embark on a crazy spring break vacation to Florida, in search of their identity. Faith (Selena Gomez), Candy (Vanessa Hudgens), Brit (Ashley Benson) and Cotty (Rachel Korine) are set to experience the spring break they were all dreaming of and change their lives forever.

Disney channel starlet and Bieber's on-off girlfriend, Gomez, takes on a bad girl image for the first time. Faith, a church goer, feels stuck in a routine-based life and dreams of experiencing the spring break of a lifetime. Her younger fans should definitely heed her warning posted on her Facebook relating to her new film, "Note: this movie is not for my littles". On the reason why she took on the role of Faith, as quoted from an interview that she feels it is "artistically fun and creative". A departure from her squeaky clean image, it was refreshing to see Gomez doing a role out of her comfort zone. Thankfully, it turned out rather well as she portrayed a seemly innocent but desperate teen, trying to break free from the usual cycle of life.

The wildest of the lot, charged with a fearless attitude and raw emotions, Hudgens went all out with her character, Candy. Despite having multiple scandals previously, this infamous ex-Disney starlet is dauntlessly displaying her wild side to the audience. Comparing to her role in the High School Musical series, she completely possesses her character, Candy. Perhaps this is one side of Hudgens that was never displayed openly. Or maybe it is because of Director Harmony Korine giving the stars a space for individual improvision of their characters. Either way, Hudgens' performance was believable but lack substantial content.

"Pretty Little Liars" actress, Benson, took a plunge with the role of Brit just two weeks before filming started. When asked why she took on the role, her answer was similiar to her other co-stars. Seemed like the actresses signed on to "Spring Breakers" in hopes that audiences will see them in a different light. On the other hand, Korine, wife of Director Harmony Korine, had the role written for her in the early stages of development. Both Benson and Korine's performance was nothing to shout about thanks to a lack of depth in their characters.

The film touches on the current pop-culture of American youth society, the in-your-face scenes of topless girls, free flowing booze and being high on drugs, might be one of the most realistic take on modern America. The minor Britney-theme lingers mildly throughout the film, relevant also to pop culture. Constant echos of dialogues like, "Spring Break forever", "Pretend like it's a video game", projects an almost trance-like effect and gave it a dreamy feel, which evokes the audience to engage with the characters.

Overall, this is a film that you will either love or hate. Four girls searching for an experience of a lifetime they will never forget. Could this be the Spring Break the girls were looking for? Watch to find out.


Cinema Online, 29 April 2013