Film Review – American Honey (2016)

Exploring America in a modern-day Easy Rider (Dennis Hopper, 1969), Andrea Arnold’s road movie brilliantly parallels the literal and the self-discovering journey of adolescent recruit Star. Winner of Best British Independent Film, American Honey certainly does not deserve to slip under Hollywood’s radar.

Shia LeBeouf has had his fair share of unconventional appearances. From dancing in a cage to Sia’s Elastic Heart to wearing a paper bag over his head on the red carpet. But American Honey uses the Transformers (dir. Michael Bay, 2007) star in new light. Taking advantage of his unpredictable nature and pretty intense acting skills. Playing the ‘love interest’ would be too simple a statement for LeBeouf’s character Jake. Instead- as is the case with every other traveller, Jake is given a strong sense of individuality by his clothes, hair and overall attitude toward life. You’re never really sure of his intentions; whether to trust him or not and what his true feelings are. And this has been purposely employed by Arnold, as innocent Star is equally unsure but nonetheless encapsulated through her want to escape.

Escapism is a concept that recurs constantly in coming-of-age movies such as this. Arnold sets out that grimy, sketchy way of life seen in similar themed films Spring Breakers (dir. Harmony Korine, 2012) and The Florida Project (dir. Sean Baker, 2017) as a backdrop to that globalised dream of achieving a better life. Everyone seems to enjoy the spontaneous road life of drugs, alcohol and sex. But we know beneath this surface lies man’s search for deeper meaning. Just as the divide in Mexican society is explored in Y Tu Mama Tambien (dir. Alfonso Cuaron, 2002), Arnold sweeps us across American settings as a way of social commentary. Rapping in snapbacks, denim jacketed truck drivers and grey-haired cowboys cooking a steak. These are all stereotypical components of America, yet they do exist. We are given a bittersweet private tour is the USA. In all its different forms.

A good balance of harsh reality and dreamy idealism is created by Arnold. The soundtrack, unusually complied of primarily hip-hop/rap songs, plays a key role in the storytelling. Often, we are carried away with the music, alongside the gang who dance away in the backseat of the car. (Reminiscent of Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous, 2000. With darker undertones). However, we are oftentimes suddenly cut away to the silence of a new scene. Crucially, Arnold manages to conjure up that imaginary escapist world whilst reminding us the reality of social inequality.

Capturing perfectly the mobile world of our characters, cinematographer Robbie Ryan opts for a square ratio. A unique frame for the beautiful deep hues and evolving landscapes, which I very much enjoyed. Not going quite as far as to make it a mockumentary, Ryan uses handheld, often barely edited shots. I love how this gives American Honey the feeling of unfolding before our eyes in real time. Rather than a pre-planned plot twist or strict three-act structure, it evolves organically with a naturalistic quality. The maintained camera focus on characters faces coupled with a lack of wide shots establishes a personal connection between protagonist and audience. Though each well-formed, most of Arnolds characters are side-lined by Sasha Lane’s Star as we invest our sympathies entirely into her. (And a marvelous performance it was by her.)

A must-see picaresque about rebellious spirits and adolescent discovery, American Honey navigates the bleaker side of the USA with intimate elegance.