Fave films of the century so far - 2016 - American Honey

American Honey was my favourite film of 2016. It's a fuckin hard sell though when you're describing it to someone. A 163 minute long movie about teenagers selling magazine subscriptions in middle America. A description that would put anyone off watching quite frankly but director Andrea Arnold pulls off a miracle and creates a masterpiece. A dark, vivid shot in the arm. A depressing, dark, dangerous but life affirming story of America's lost and alienated youth.

Star (Sasha Lane) is a young girl going nowhere fast in a small Oklahoma town. She spends her time looking after her two younger siblings and her father is a sleazy piece of shit. She spies a way out when she meets a group of young sales people and is offered a chance at seeing America and making some money on the way. The below scene is the moment she gets hooked by a glimpse at a freedom she's never experienced.

Who'd have thought Shia LaBeouf dancing to Rihanna in a Walmart would create such a joyous moment. The lyrics are hilariously on the nose. "We found love in a hopeless place." Star finding friendship and a new life in Walmart. The music a million miles away from the depressing country dirge popular in the bars around the town. Shia's hilarious moves are very different to the regimented line dancing loved by the locals and his joie de vivre is exactly opposite that of the other man in her life. She wants to get out, he knows it and reels her in. Rihanna's "Yellow diamonds in the light" promising the money and adventure she'll never know if she stays.

And adventure she gets. In spades. Goddamnit it's a brilliant film. Lane in her debut role rocks it and LaBeouf, an actor fast turning into one of the most interesting and eclectic of his generation amazes.

Magazine selling. Who knew.

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