Geekscape Movie Review: ‘American Honey’
The theme music that should be playing right now while you read this review is “Take a Chance On Me” because that’s what I did when I saw “American Honey.” Went in cold, and then snuck a peek at the film synopsis just minutes before screening, and immediately felt let-down.
It’s a story about a bunch of young people selling magazine across the country, and starring Shia LeBeouf. No way did that sound like it could be good, but I was already there, and I knew in advance that the French liked it, -which could be hit or miss for me.
It wasn’t until later I realized I was watching a film from the lady who did “Catfish,” which was a provocative and still natural look at a young girl’s coming of age from Andrea Arnold. Both films resemble each other in overall style and share that same nuance of Arnold’s ability to tell a story that is both real and surreal with genuine compassion for life and just a very real sense of truth up on the big screen.
“American Honey” is more than a story about magazine sales and people partying on the road. Its a coming of age from a place of what many would call hopelessness. Lead character, Star (Sasha Lane), is a Mid-western teen whose prospects are pretty limited. Living in a bad situation, scrounging for food and basically just existing. She’s invited by Jake (Shia LeBeouf) to join a caravan of young people traveling across the country selling magazine subscriptions via any means necessary.
Initially, from her point of view it’s just too good an opportunity to pass up, despite her remorse at leaving behind two kids she babysits (or perhaps they are her half siblings) she joins the non-stop party and befriends Jake.
What is so striking about “American Honey” is Arnold’s ability to evoke a film that is both harsh and ugly, and at the exact same time breathtaking, beautiful and joyous. It’s a rare talent that can do both and Arnold achieves this with newcomer actress Sasha Lane, who completely made me think of Jennifer Lawrence’s breakout role “Winter’s Bone.” Lane’s ability to portray “Star” so convincingly still resonates long after the credits roll. The character is so multi-faceted and dimensional you never view this Star as anything but the truth. Lane’s portrayal is just so convincing and real.
Backing her up, has got to be one of his better if not best performances ever, from Shia LeBeouf. Admittedly not much of a fan of his, but now completely sold on his acting ability. Not sure what the chemistry was like between the two actors and the energy between them to challenge who could bring the most real portrayal to screen but together they just made it look so easy. Even now, a few weeks later after screening, their performances still hold me in awe. It’s not that the story is life changing or even anything that I can really relate too, it’s just a solid piece of film-making.
When it comes to cinema some would easily agree that it’s the greatest visually impacting art form of the modern age. Arnold’s “American Honey” takes a piece of life and unashamedly shows the audience what it means to be human from the stand point of a young lady. The journey portrayed in the film is both breathtaking and heart breaking, and then joyous, which in the end really is a summation of life. Arnold’s profound ability to do this still resonates with me today. The ending scenes with the symbolism of the turtle going free is easily a top ten scene from a 100 movies screened this year.
Now playing is “American Honey” from writer director Andrea Arnold in select theaters.
5 out of 5
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Directed & Directed By: Andrea Arnold
In Theaters: Sep 29, 2016 Limited
Runtime: 162 minutes
Studio: Parts and Labor
