Introduction
The film Tangerine follows the pursuits of Sin-Dee Rella, a transgender sex worker who learns that her boyfriend, Chester, had been cheating on her while she was in prison. Sin-Dee receives help from her best friend, Alexandra, who is also a trans sex worker, who faces her own set of problems, including a non-paying customer and a struggling music career. The film perfectly provides queer representation while exploring the complex dynamics of friendships; however, it lacks depth and originality.
Strengths
LGBTQ Portrayal
One of the elements that Tangerine does well is queer representation. Most of the characters in the film, including the two main ones, are members of the LGBTQ community. “Tangerine” does a commendable job of exploring their unique experiences and relationships. For instance, at the end of the movie, Sin-Dee Rella is a victim of abuse as some people throw urine on her and yell transphobic slurs at her (Baker).
Discrimination, abuse, and violence are common forms of oppression faced by transgender individuals in real life (Schmidt and Lang). The film’s commitment to queer representation is especially remarkable because shows with transgender characters are typically underfunded, as explained by Sean Baker, who directed and produced the film (Thomson). Thus, it stands out because of its focus on the lives of an underrepresented population.
Friendship Issues
Another aspect of the film that was done right was the exploration of friendship complexity. Both love and betrayal mark the friendship between Sin-Dee and Alexandra. Alexandra wants Sin-Dee to leave Chester because she believes him unworthy of Sin-Dee’s love and loyalty. She supports Sin-Dee in her pursuit of Chester, but as the story unfolds, it is revealed that Alexandra herself has been involved with Chester sexually (Baker). This revelation creates a wedge between the two friends, as trust is broken. However, Alexandra is there for Sin-Dee when the latter faces abuse. The film’s depiction of the two women’s friendship is moving.
Weaknesses
Excessive Scenes
Despite its strengths, the film lacks depth because of how fast-paced it is. Although the movie is only about an hour and a half long, it has numerous scenes. It isn’t easy to see how some of these scenes add to the plot. For instance, the taxi driver, Razmik, and his family’s Christmas dinner serve to show that he is living a double life (Baker).
However, the inclusion of this scene does not add substantial depth to the overall narrative. The film’s fast-paced nature and the abundance of subplots may make some moments feel rushed and underdeveloped. Rather than focusing on too many narratives, it would have been better to add some depth to the interactions between the key characters.
Banality
Another element in which Tangerine is lacking is originality. The movie’s premise is a scorned woman who has been cheated on by her boyfriend. Upon discovering the disloyalty of her boyfriend, Sin-Dee unravels and goes on a hunt for Chester and his mistress. This plot is overdone in movies and has become a cliché. Although the partners in question are a trans sex worker and her pimp boyfriend, the plot lies within the predictable “cheating partner” storyline.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tangerine is appealing because of its focus on queer relationships and friendships. However, the film appears overcrowded because of its fast-paced nature. Introducing multiple characters and subplots takes away from the story, as some scenes appear unnecessary. Additionally, the plotline of a woman chasing after her cheating boyfriend’s affair lacks originality. Nonetheless, the film is funny, dramatic, and easy to watch.
Works Cited
Schmidt, Samantha, and Marissa J. Lang. “Transgender sex workers feel under attack. These women are working to protect their own.” The Washington Post. 2019. Web.
Tangerine. Directed by Sean Baker. Duplass Brothers Productions, 2015.
Thomson, Patricia. “Tangerine: iPhone enables streetwise story.” American Cinematographer. 2020. Web.