Age - Spring Breakers

Spring Breakers is a 2013 crime film focussing on 4 girls that rob a restaurant to afford to go to spring break, do endless partying, doing drugs and getting arrested. The film has received a lot of criticism for the glamorisation of crime and substance abuse but also the often 'lazy' dialogue - as a lot was improvised to create a natural flow throughout the film. However the directing was praised due to the camera emphasising the neon jungle theme and the realism of actual teens at spring break. The film has often divided its audience by some people describing it as a cult classic and others labelling it as unrealistic and immoral. 

 The film represents teenagers in a highly negative light, teenagers are subjected to many stereotypes like being in gangs, partying and committing crimes - this film does well to show these stereotypes. It does bring the issues to the surface the problems of spring break and do parents actually know what their children are doing whilst on spring break? It also suggests that teenagers are easily led taken specifically by the character of Alien (James Franco) who involves the girls is his criminal activity. The four girls specifically live up to stereotypes and emphasise what the media is saying about teens, the constant use of drugs highlights a bigger problem with spring break. Controversially the character of Faith (Selena Gomez) originates from a strong Christian background and this film showcases that her religion is almost forgotten when she goes on spring break - her actions often described as 'sinning' by herself. The promiscuity and raunchiness of the characters also generates a negative representation of girls as it suggests that all college girls are like this even though this is evidently false. It also strengthens sexual culture of women and the strong sexuality is seen as the characters are often wearing bikinis - including when they do join Alien on their crime endeavour. The absence of older people in this film suggests that they are the control and without them the teenagers are running wild, Evidently shown as the judge is the only older authority in this film and he puts the girls in prison; Spring break overall is a haven for teens that go to party and drink without their parents. Alien although maybe older, is only vaguely older than the girls and lives up to a masculine role but is represented badly due to his control over the girls and overpowering possession and persuasion. 

 I easily identified these aspects of representation because the film features generally around the five characters (above) and the actions that they commit. The excessive partying and drug use lives up to lingering stereotypes and shows teenagers in an even worse light than they already are, the film glamorises crime that are committed by the girls and creates a gang like feel as all of the characters committing the crimes are enjoying it and the police are no where to be seen - suggesting that there are no repercussions for your actions. I personally loved this film but the negative image of teenagers is evident as it does strengthen a stereotype but does make you open your eyes that there are teenagers that are like this and spring break can be a toxic place.