When it premiered at this year’s Venice Film Festival, followed by its showing at TIFF, the critical buzz around the comedy crime drama Spring Breakers is that this thing is “bonkers” — in a good way. But it appears as if James Franco is the real scene stealer in this new film from director Harmony Korine (GUMMO). Franco plays a cornrows-wearing drug dealer named Alien who comes to the aid of four young women in deep doo doo. The synopsis reads: “Four college girls who land in jail after robbing a restaurant in order to fund their spring break vacation find themselves bailed out by a drug and arms dealer who wants them to do some dirty work.”
Following its Toronto premiere Vulture’s Kyle Buchanan was among the first to praise Franco’s performance: “What Matthew McConaughey did for ‘Magic Mike’, Franco does for ‘Spring Breakers’. Each pushes their star power past parody as the debauched MC holding court over a motley crew of hard-bodied, in-too-deep young ones.” Franco’s lines are as hilarious as they are unforgettable, and among favorites of the team at Moviefone is: “Look at my shit! I am a f-ckin’ nightmare in this motherf-cker. I am the f-ckin’ Death Star!”
Due to the increasing Oscar buzz that is building around James Franco’s supporting performance, Showbiz 411 broke the news that Annapurna Pictures will be releasing Spring Breakers in December in order to qualify the film and co-star Franco for the 85th annual Academy Awards. Franco was nominated once before for his lead role in 127 Hours.
