Youthful defiance in the face of despair
AMERICAN HONEY (15, 164 mins)
THE reckless pursuit of pleasure comes at a price in Andrea Arnold’s mesmerising portrait of disenfranchised youth.
American Honey is a bravura semi-improvised study of loneliness, abandonment and sexual awakening, illuminated by Robbie Ryan’s documentary-style camerawork.
Director Arnold has unearthed a dazzling raw talent in lead actress Sasha Lane, who was cast without previous experience. This gamble pays off – Lane burns brightly in every scene, bristling with defiance and vulnerability as her free-spirited character barrels towards the cusp of womanhood.
Teenager Star (Lane) cares for two young siblings while her mother implodes on drugs. The children scour dumpsters for food, while Star endures the attentions of her abusive stepfather.
During a visit to a supermarket, Star encounters a group of fun-loving teenagers led by Jake (Shia LaBeouf), who claims to manage a door-to-door magazine subscription business.
Determined to escape the degradation of home, Star hits the road with Jake and the other kids, including misfit Pagan (Arielle Holmes) and blonde prankster Corey (McCaul Lombardi).
At a motel, Star encounters the business’ ruthless boss Krystal (Riley Keough), who only employs youngsters who sell subscriptions by peddling fake sob stories.
Aside from a bloated running time, American Honey is a tour de force that resonates on a deep emotional level.
Lane delivers a performance of unvarnished, painful honesty that holds our attention, even during the moments when Star seems to be heading for disaster and we are tempted to avert our gaze.