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5.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Three Hollywood Girls remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a thing for vintage fluff that doesn't overstay its welcome, maybe. People who get annoyed by movies where everyone is constantly smiling through poverty will probably want to skip this. It’s light, it’s fast, and it’s about as deep as a saucer, but there’s a charm to the desperation here.
I found myself wondering if they actually ate anything on screen. They spend so much time talking about rent and casting calls that I started to feel hungry on their behalf. It’s that kind of movie.
Leota Lane and the crew have this snappy rhythm that feels like they’ve been living together for years, even if the script is clearly pushing them through hoops. There’s a scene about halfway through where they’re trying to fix a dress, and it goes on just a second too long. It’s awkward, but in a way that feels surprisingly real for 1931.
You can tell they were trying to capture that specific Hollywood magic where one big break is always just around the corner. It’s almost sad, honestly. You know the industry is going to chew them up, but the movie just refuses to acknowledge the dark side.
It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in The Wild Party, though without the grit. It’s less about the art of acting and more about the art of just surviving in a city that doesn't care if you starve.
There is one moment where a character stares into a mirror for, like, a solid ten seconds too long. It felt like the actress just forgot the camera was rolling or she was waiting for a cue that never came. It’s a tiny, weird glitch, but I liked it. It felt human. 🎥
It’s not trying to change the world. It’s just trying to fill an hour on a Tuesday afternoon. Sometimes that’s enough, I guess. Just don't go in expecting a career-defining performance from anyone involved.