American Honey
Been
anticipating this film ever since I've heard of it. This is a well made
coming of age film of sorts about hopeless youth who are on the go. The
film really reminded me of Kids but with stronger focus on its core
character and her experience. It also reminded me a bit of Spring
Breakers so maybe its a Harmony Korine thing. Sasha Lane stars as Star, a
young drifter on the run who stumbles across a gang of people who
travel in a van and are in "sales" and getting money where they can to
get by. You're immediately curious about Star's previous life and
experiences but you start in the moment and go on the road with her.
Sasha Lane is just starting and I'm curious as to what her story is
because this role was second nature to her. She's great. Love him or
hate him, Shia LaBeouf can be a force on the screen. He is most
certainly one in this film. There is a charismatic nature to his
character and his relationship with Star (through the rage and love) is
very entertaining to watch. I wish there was more of Riley Keough in
this. I'm a huge fan of her after seeing her in the very excellent The
Girlfriend Experience and she was the main attraction for me to this
film. I may be biased but she steals the scenes she's in. The
confederate bikini and oil rub scene in the motel room is fantastic.
The
film has some other really beautiful scenes. Star and Jake sitting on
top of the car as the wind blows and the bright lights pass by; its so
wonderful. The stage is set in southern America and you get a real sense
of that world on every pit-stop. Not all the character's in the gang
are fleshed out in this near three hour film but its hardly a detriment
as not many of them are necessarily memorable. The film is heavy on
soundtrack which makes sense as you take a car trip through the eyes of
Star as she goes from place to place. The scenes during the day always
look like its almost sunset. I think it adds to the grittiness and
roughness of the American South. The camera is mostly personal and very
zoomed on Star so you get to see the world through her first hand
experience. I saw a message of how tough it is to set your life straight
in a hard world and having to do whatever it takes to get by on a day
to day basis. I think at its heart Andrea Arnold's film can be
interpreted in a few ways but I saw it as the story of a down out of
luck girl who will do whatever it takes to survive. Star potentially
puts herself in dangerous situations in the film but she's just fearless
throughout. Which takes me back to the curiosity of her past. To me,
she's unfazed with what she's exposed to and can adapt very well. Once
she realizes she can make it there's a moment of beauty as she takes
whatever comes her way. She's always setting animals (and other people)
free in this film because she seeks to set herself free.
The
first thing I'd recommend is not to be daunted by the running length of
the film. Also be prepared for more of a visual, sonic, and spiritual
experience over a film that's plot heavy and focused. I enjoyed it just
as much as I thought I would.
8/10
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