American ZoetropeThey came, they saw, they stole. Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring is based on the true-crime tale of teens that raided the homes of Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Orlando Bloom, Rachel Bilson, Megan Fox and Audrina Patridge. This isn't about getting to know the perps as much as putting a microscope over a culture obsessed with fame and all the swag that lifestyle affords. Emma Watson leads a cast of newcomers as the teens whose late-night shopping sprees lasted 10 months. Taissa Farmiga (Vera Farmiga's little sister) also stars. Leslie Mann is a mom with her own obsession, new age mysticism. So how did the bling ringers get their rob on?
1. True Story! Mostly!: The names of the suspects (four of the five were convicted) were changed. Nicki (Watson) is the stand in for Alexis Neiers. Although the events happened only three years ago, the music like a bombastic Sleigh Bells opening track and clothes are thoroughly 2013. (Props to having their Facebook pages look circa 2010.) When they burgle Paris' place? The heiress gave Coppola permission to film in her actual home for the big reenactments. All those Paris-faced pillows? Those are the real deal.
2. Crime Sprees and Swag: After using Google maps to find their mark's whereabouts, all they had to do was wait for their idols to leave town. "Paris is heading to Vegas," plus several unlocked doors gave them access to name-brand attire, wads of cash and at a Transformers' star's pad, a loaded gun. A cool heist at Audrina's shown only from outside her Hollywood Hills home is tense and out of control. By the end, they stole over $3 million in Chanel, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Tiffany and more.
3. If Breakfast Club Met for Extracurriculars: This is the first generation to adore celebrities who became famous for being famous. So why can't they get just as big for wearing their stuff? Why not post pictures of themselves wearing purloined handbags, outfits and shades? Well...
4. Probably Shouldn't Have Taken Pictures: While the most sympathetic blinger, Marc (Israel Broussard) wants to fit in with his new privileged pals more than revel in all that loot, main ringer Rebecca (Katie Chang) is overjoyed at the news that Lohan (her fave celeb!) knows her name.
5. Emma Is Representing: Watson surprises, delivering a complete 180 from the soulful character she played in last year's The Perks of Being a Wallflower, turning up the vapid to 11. Her performance is the film's highlight.
Watch E! June 21 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for a Pretty Wild marathon featuring episodes of the show surrounding the "Bling Ring" scandal.