Full disclosure: I am not typically a fan of what I like to call "meandering coming-of-age dramas." I admit it. I like films with arcs and acts and all the bells and whistles. It's called a formula because it is tried and true, and it works. Obviously, there are many films that deviate from the norm and have also delighted me, but more often than not I have only a mild tolerance for films that can't get to the point. Sometimes there is a lot to like in a film that drifts along, yet the final result is overshadowed by lack of momentum. AMERICAN HONEY has a lot to offer, however the drawn out third act detracts from the otherwise overall freshness.
The film revolves around Star, a young woman desperate to escape her bleak existence living in poverty with relatives in small town Texas. Strapped with the responsibility of caring for her young siblings (step siblings? cousins?) and fending off advances from her step dad (step brother? uncle?), Star decides to take up the offer of a handsome stranger who invites her to come along with his band of teenage misfits to sell magazines across the country. Packed like dirty, zitty sardines in a 10 seater van, the merry band take Star into their fold and indoctrinate her immediately. The boss lady Chrystal (Riley Keough) is in charge, and her deputy Jake (Shia LaBeouf) is tasked with training newbies. Soon Star finds herself in various not-so-safe scenarios selling more than magazines and making more money than she's ever seen.
The film revolves around Star, a young woman desperate to escape her bleak existence living in poverty with relatives in small town Texas. Strapped with the responsibility of caring for her young siblings (step siblings? cousins?) and fending off advances from her step dad (step brother? uncle?), Star decides to take up the offer of a handsome stranger who invites her to come along with his band of teenage misfits to sell magazines across the country. Packed like dirty, zitty sardines in a 10 seater van, the merry band take Star into their fold and indoctrinate her immediately. The boss lady Chrystal (Riley Keough) is in charge, and her deputy Jake (Shia LaBeouf) is tasked with training newbies. Soon Star finds herself in various not-so-safe scenarios selling more than magazines and making more money than she's ever seen.
And then she's in another scenario, and another, and another...and herein lies my issue with AMERICAN HONEY. There is so much great stuff, but it's too much. I understand director Andrea Arnold's hesitation in cutting some of the beautiful scenes in the film, but in order to keep the ball rolling and an audience engaged, knowing when and what to cut is an essential part of creating a cohesive story. I started out rooting for Star, but by the ending (the final ending, not the first 5) I quit caring and just wanted to see the last frame.
So, now that I got that off my chest I can talk about all the things that I really like about the film. Arnold's visual style- especially considering that the film was made mainly with natural light- is captivating. She has a terrific eye for the small details in every scene, and the performances she pulls from a mostly amateur cast is majorly impressive. Newcomer Sasha Lane's portrayal of the main character is raw and genuine. She has crazy charisma, yet her performance is beautifully understated. You really believe that Star is desperate and alone enough to join up with Krystal's crew, and she aptly holds her own against the more seasoned actors even in the most provocative scenes.
Shia LaBeouf, is great. He plays Jake with an irresistible cockiness that definitely helps define the vibe of the film. His intensity also helps ground the film when it starts to veer into melodrama.
My favorite performance in the film belongs to Riley Keough as ringleader Krystal. Her character gives zero fucks, is all business all the time, and Keough completely kills it with a deadpan, no nonsense demeanor. I want an entire movie about Krystal thanks to Keough's tough as nails performance.
So, all in all AMERICAN HONEY is a good movie, but it would be great if it was about an hour shorter. I liked how Arnold conveys a dirty, gritty vibe while still maintaining a lovely aesthetic. Think KIDS/Larry Clark, only less rapey and much more pretty. Amazing performances help save the film from monotony, but I was definitely relieved when the film's conclusion finally arrived.
Rebecca Elliott
aka Annette Kellerman
