Review of American Honey (2016) by Aw C — 13 Dec 2016

Finally I've been waiting to screen this since I heard about it last year. It did not disappoint. Yes it may be long and a bit drawn out. But the director did that so you could feel this journey.

From the opening credits of Sasha and Shia meeting the chemistry is instantaneous. This is a true modern journey of how invincible young 20s and late teens feel the overwhelming feeling of everything's new and fresh and nothing can hurt us bc I got my whole life ahead of me. It stays true because throughout all the potentially horrible things that could happen this unlikely squad of rebels are not only still standing but each act of depravity only increases there immortality. There's no closure or accountability and it's also part of the beauty as if the music never stops.

In most films mistakes are made and tragically the characters have to pay consequences. Nope not here first ride in the van I was already thinking man I'd love to throw on public service announcement by Jay Z and just join in. Director Andrea Arnold definitely makes you feel the ride weather ur an elder or youngn some part of you will remember the feeling the groups conveying because we all felt in some way or another that same fire.

Shia is electric, he's smart yet sleezy. Acts like he couldn't care less yet cared so much in the moment the intensities and shifts are all carnal and based in the moment because no one has learned how making mistakes and having consequences gives perspective and shapes you as you move through this crazy thing called life.

The ending right before there's a bonfire I thought it was going to end on them having this kind of Almost Famous moment everyone singing tony dancer in this case American honey together but instead it further shows the fire in a sense will just rise and so will they. At points I was like oh no here comes the reality of bad decisions but no the fire rises I loved that it didn't have some last 10 minute oh no ur screwed moment it just let it be. I loved the film and if you can get over the time limit the acting the bounding the absurdity is all chaos that feeds our imagination of a place we all wish sometimes could last and American Honey lasts.