American Honey

Parental Rating: R

Contains: Language    Nudity    Violence    Sex    Drug Use    Adult Content    

Jill's Review

Opens October 14, 2016

Runs 163 minutes

Star (Sasha Lane) is a hard luck teenage girl going nowhere fast. Her home is troubled and all around her is poverty and despair. On a whim, she joins a group of teens who travel the country selling magazines for money. The group, managed by Krystal (Riley Keough), drive from town to town, selling their wares to unsuspecting customers, Then, they party all night only to get up and hit the road again. Jake (Shia LeBeouf), is the recruiter, and he sets his sights on Star. He teaches her the ropes and at first she struggles. She doesn't necessarily agree with the methods used on the customers. But, soon she is earning her keep and falling for Jake as they cross the country selling their magazines and living their version of the American dream.

Ok. I thought I wasn't going to like this movie. Disaffected teens partying and scamming people for money is kind of a turn off. But, I actually liked it. Sasha Lane (a non-actress in her first role) is so watchable. She just lights up the screen. You feel sorry for her as she tries to navigate life. Most of the kids in this film were non-actors and they all did a good job. Shia LeBeouf is not my favorite actor but this role suited him. This film is very long but it doesn't seem excessive. This is just a slice of life film - not much plot arc. You ride along with these teens in their van from town to town. You see the towns from their eyes. People who live in nice houses and have more then them and even people living in poverty - a brief look at the heartland of America. This film won't be for everyone but if you are willing to give it a chance, you might like it. Go see it.

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