Honeydripper

Dir: John Sayles

2007

****

Stephen Holden, the film critic for The New York Times was disappointed in the film script and wrote, "While operating on a mythic level Honeydripper also wants to create the same kind of top-to-bottom social microcosm found in many of Mr. Sayles’s films. But this time his attempt to have his characters be simultaneously symbolic and real works at cross purposes. He is so uncomfortable writing dialogue in an old-time Southern argot that the conversations in Honeydripper rarely settle into the easy, colorfully idiomatic flow that has always been a hallmark of Southern speech. Hard as they try to break through the stiffness, the film’s fine actors only fitfully succeed in camouflaging the machinery behind their characters." I couldn't disagree more. Let's be honest, there are many people who think director John Sayles can't and shouldn't make black films, which is complete nonsense. Sayles knows structure, character, the blues and magic. Honeydripper is the perfect title for this film, it's sweet and will make you feel all gooey. I've never visited the Deep South or rural Alabama, certainly not in the 1950s but I’m not ignorant to the area or the time. I disagree with many critics who criticized what they saw as stereotypes. Indeed, Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton and many other cast members, who are all brilliant, have stared in similar films and/or in similar roles. It's an endearing musical time-piece with Sayles perfect narrative style. There are moments of fantasy for those so inclined, religion, God, prayer and belief and how one should/could embrace such things is lightly explored and certain characters may be a little bigger than they might initially appear but this is never over done or imposing, and certainly never preachy. I'm not sure if it was intentional but I did wonder whether there was a connection between Gary Clark Jr's Sonny and the infamous Robert Johnson, whom it was believed sold his soul to the devil at a cross-road in Mississippi to achieve success and the ability to play heavenly guitar. The featured music is incredible and acts as the films big supporting actor. The performances are all good; Glover, Dutton, Clark Jr and leading ladies Lisa Gay Hamilton and Yaya DeCosta are all brilliant and believable. It’s a huge feel good film. I think that's what people, more importantly Sayles fans, were surprised by. It's true, this doesn't at all feel like a John Sayles film, but I'm totally fine with that. The story is a little cliché I'll admit but I really don't care and I would argue that it is better than any film that is like it. There are feel good films that try too hard and there are feel good films that are totally predictable, Honeydripper is effortlessly feel good and only a little predictable. I'll be honest and say that if Sayles only made films like this from now on I'd be disappointed but I will always stand up for Honeydripper, it is accomplished, genuine and about as charming as a film can get.