American Honey Movie Review (2016)

A chosen family can be a real family, but it’s important to know what you are getting into. In American Honey, a slice-of-life film about a girl and the group of travelers that she joins, figuring out where you fit in is a fascinating journey in and of itself.

There are some movies that are extremely well done, but it would be wrong to say that you “like them.” Not all films are likeable – and they aren’t supposed to be. Some are there to fascinate you or teach you or let you in on experiences that you wouldn’t have otherwise known. That is what this movie was for me.

American Honey is the story of Star, a teenage girl with a rough background who runs away from some difficult circumstances to work with a group of travelers who go door-to-door selling magazine subscriptions. Managed and funded by Krystal, a hard woman who manages her employees like a pimp would, and enchanted by Jake, a charismatic member of the group, Star begins a new life, looking for anything that will help her claw her way into something different – maybe even better.

From the first five minutes of this film, I was sure that it was directed by Sean Baker (The Florida Project, Take Out) because of the natural filming style. That is a huge compliment to actual writer/director Andrea Arnold, as Sean Baker’s work has been lauded for its documentary-like feel, and she has achieved a very similar thing.

You never feel like you are watching a movie here, you feel as if you are peeking into someone’s real life. It is captivating, and at times, heartbreaking. A lot of the dialogue is likely improvised with a general goal for each scene because everything is incredibly natural and real.

Star is a complicated character. Played by Sasha Lane (in her very first role), she looks very young, but says that she’s 18. You never learn about her history and you never know if what she is saying is true, but she is very good at defending herself and has a hard exterior to show for whatever she’s been through.

At the same time, though, Star’s impulse is to be a rescuer. She has moments with insects and children – those who can’t care for themselves – that are brimming with kindness and softness. She is incredibly interesting even if you can’t always get a good read on her.

Riley Keough and Shia LaBeouf round out the large cast of road-trippers as Krystal and Jake. Everyone has their own motivation for doing what they do, but in the end, Krystal seems to be the only one who really has a handle on things. The lost kids who work for her turn in most of their earnings and she pays for the gas in the car and lodgings. But what they all really want is security and acceptance. It seems to be something they’ve never had, and in her own way, Krystal provides that.

Music is a huge factor in this movie, with beautiful scenes centering around the songs “American Honey” and “We Found Love” among others. Music fills the soul, and in a world where so few souls have been filled, every time the music starts playing, the entire vibe shifts. For just a few minutes, everyone is of one mind and part of one unit.

American Honey is a unique movie that makes you feel like you are watching someone’s real life. It is intimate and at times uncomfortable, but it is about figuring out where you fit in and when you need to break free. I really enjoyed what this movie offered, and in particular, I really liked the last scene. I hope you do too.

Runtime: 163 minutes

Motion Picture Rating: R

Languages Spoken In The Film: English

Should You Watch It? Yes

Did I Cry? Nope

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Available: To rent on Prime Video or may be available for free on other streaming platforms