I have read a fair bit of literature on the actual crimes and I found the movie an interesting study on the Bling Ring's personalities. If you look into the crimes, personalities and lives of these subjects, you'll see that quite a lot of what played out was true. Including the outrageous characterisations of each individual.

Yes, the "plot" and characters seemed thin and little explanation was given. However if you know the backstory, you would understand that there was little reason why they actually committed these offences. They were bored with their lives, had a history of rebellious behavior and discovered just how easy it was to take what they want without getting caught. So they did it. Simple. Some kids take some coins out of their parent's loose change jar, for the Bling Ring, they just... upsized.

However taking it all with a grain of salt, I understand that the media and books I would have read would be biased towards the writer's point of view... like anything ever written. So without actually being with them during the crimes, one wouldn't actually know what really happened. I do however believe that the film was a good collaboration of information from the many articles and books published.

Being a Sofia Coppola film, glamour and fabulous lifestyle was a huge part of the film. This I think was misread by viewers as a misguided form of romanticising the harsh reality of what happened. I believe the film was constructed to show the audience how the Bling Ring thought the entire operation was glamorous and fame-worthy.

It would seem, the media fueled their wanton desire for the subjects to be part of the elite and pandered to their whims. The crimes independently were nothing of note to the average Joe... however the paparazzi and media jumped on the celebrity bandwagon and enabled the subjects to feel entitled and praised. And now I seem to be touching on the subjects from Nancy Sales' book... I digress.

In summary, I believe the movie was a well executed and constructed representation of what was reported to have happened (as per media and books). The style was chosen to help the audience understand the subjects' nativity and ignorance... and overwhelming desire to be part of the ëlite". Looking at the film for what it was, I enjoyed the ride.