This is not a happy, fun film. At all. But they don't all have to be, nor should they all be fluff.

I saw it on the last day it was on Netflix and only watched it because it was the last day. Am I glad I did? I am still trying to figure that out.

It is as uncomfortable as Disney is saccharine. Oops, I mean happy.

The unique buildings on the streets, the colors all around are shown to their Sunday best in the bleak lives of the people who live near them.

Willem Defoe is, as ever, brilliant and restrained and brings humanity to the group. I wish I could say the kids bring hope, but they do not. And the helicopter, to me, brought the humor and "in your face" moments.

Would I have paid to see this film and not been mad about it? Probably - a few days after viewing it. Would I recommend it to friends who appreciate films (versus movies)? Absolutely, but with reservations.

I am not sure if I will ever know what I truly think about this film. And, frankly, that's a good thing. It made me think. It made me uncomfortable. It made me question things.

It made me very uncomfortable in my own skin. So, yes. That's a good film.

A lady once told me in Orlando. Good ole Uncle Walt. He bought a piece of swamp in Florida and turned it into a tourist magnet. He must have done a deal with the devil as well. Disney World is the only bit round here that has never been directly hit by a hurricane.

The Florida Project is set on the outskirts of Disney. Motels with long term residents who are way down the socio economic scale. Living in the margins of society when others around the world see it as a dream Disney destination.

Moonee, Scooty and Dicky spend the summer very much left on their own devices causing mischief and mayhem with their wild behaviour. Other kids descend to Orlando to visit the theme parks. These kids make their own adventure as going to Magic Kingdom is not an option for them.

They are joined by Jancey who has moved into the neighbouring motel with her grandmother.

Mooney's mum Halley is an exotic dancer who after losing her job becomes an online sex worker. Halley would do anything to survive, selling knock off perfume in car parks to scalping park tickets. Halley would even literally fight for survival and at the end she is is at risk of losing Moonee to social services.

Only Bobby (Willem Dafoe) the manager of the motel is protective of the kids knowing the grown ups are having a hard time to make ends meet.

Director Sean Baker has made a low budget independent slice of life film. In the absence of Dafoe's casting you would think this was a drama documentary. Baker has coaxed astonishing performances from his young cast. It actually made me think how he managed to get such naturalistic acting from the kids.

The film does not have much of a plot and it is still better than many routine films pumped out by Hollywood. It is about the kids living aimlessly who get into constant trouble. There is a scene where Bobby spots trouble and confronts a dirty old man. However Halley's deteriorating issues begin to take a toll on her and Moonee.

There is an element of magical realism with the ending. I had no issue with it and whether it was literal, figurative or metaphorical.