Cinema Society

HONEYDRIPPER

Average
Rating

2.9

Tuesday, February 05, 2008, AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5

7:00PM: Cinema Chat with Andy, Auditorium 4

7:10PM: Introduction, Auditorium 4

7:20PM: Introduction, Auditorium 5

7:30PM: HONEYDRIPPER Auditoriums 4 & 5

Discussion will follow screening in Auditorium 4

AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres

HONEYDRIPPER

Iconoclastic filmmaker John Sayles, in his 16th feature film, continues his extraordinary examination of the complexities and shifting identities of American sub-cultures in the new film HONEYDRIPPER. With his usual understated intelligence, Sayles uses the rhythms of the citizens of Harmony, Alabama to immerse the audience into the world of the Jim Crow south. It’s a fable about the birth of rock n’ roll-a quintessentially American subject, but with a fidelity to time and temperament that is unusual in an American director.

It’s 1950 and it’s a make or break weekend for Tyrone Purvis (Danny Glover), the proprietor of the Honeydripper Lounge. Deep in debt, Tyrone is desperate to bring back the crowds that used to come to his place. He decides to lay off his long-time blues singer Bertha Mae, and announces that he’s hired a famous guitar player, Guitar Sam, for a one night only gig in order to save the club.

Into town drifts Sonny Blake, a young man with nothing to his name but big dreams and the guitar case in his hand. Rejected by Tyrone when he applies to play at the Honeydripper, he is intercepted by the corrupt local Sheriff, arrested for vagrancy and rented out as an unpaid cotton picker to the highest bidder. But when Tyrone’s ace-in-the-hole fails to materialize at the train station, his desperation leads him back to Sonny and the strange, wire-dangling object in his guitar case. The Honeydripper lounge is all set to play its part in rock n’ roll history.

Written, Directed and Edited by John Sayles, HONEYDRIPPER features an all-star cast including Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Stacy Keach, Mary Steenburgen, Yaya DaCosta and Sean Patrick Thomas; as well as such notable musicians as Keb’ Mo’ and Dr. Mable John. It also introduces a major new talent, Gary Clark Jr. who makes his electrifying film debut as Sonny.

Rated PG-13 for brief violence and some suggestive material.

Running Time: 122 Minutes

Send a Comment

7-Feb-08: KS - Rating: 4

What an uncomfortable film to watch but done so well.

Accents were so heavy that I missed hearing it all.

Makes me very happy not to have lived in the south in the 50's.

I dont think I could live in the south today either.

What an era.......

7-Feb-08: Dan Wolfson - Rating: 4

I enjoyed this film very much. The music was great, the opening with the home-made keyboard got my attention, the characters were engaging and the story line was fun. Although slow-paced, it kept my interest and I enjoyed the ending.

7-Feb-08: Susan Page - Rating: 2

Maybe John Sayles should have stopped at film #15. This was a disappointment only because the actors were good and the rest so poor -- pacing, plot, script, etc. Very plodding with no life to it, even when the music started.

6-Feb-08: elizabeth baker - Rating: 3

I actually give this a 3+. I thought HD touched on so many interesting themes: post WW2-Pre Korea, integrated military, paid to work vs. sold to work, dignity of man and dignity of woman. I thought Mary S. was mesmerizing. The scene with Danny G and Charles D @ the piano talking about the first slave to sit down at a piano was terrific cinema. It was a very slow movie...but far from boring. When the same person, writes, directs, edits and acts...probably not a good idea.

6-Feb-08: Sandie Kindred - Rating: 4

Ok you guys. I understand where you are coming from, but someone has to come to the rescue of the film. We really enjoyed it and left the theater humming the China Doll song. When is the last time you left a modern day play or movie humming a new tune?

6-Feb-08: Wally Stevens - Rating: 3

I thought acting by Glover was great and so was the rest of the cast. The blind guy was a clever touch. Good job of depicting the times without the usual graphic brutality.

I'd go above a 3.0 but not up to a 4.0

6-Feb-08: Mitch Lynn - Rating: 2

Stinker. How very demeaning to Blacks + needed substitles. The music was great but not enough. Danny is still a cop from Lethal Weapon.

6-Feb-08: Georgi Gordon - Rating: 1

Andy doesn't make 'em...he just shows 'em. Thank goodness because this movie was bo-o-o-oring. And that from some one who LOVES all movies as well as this genre of music through and through. The soundtrack was the only saving grace. Honeydripper was dripping all right, like a "Chinese water torture" and dripping with cliches. Sorry this wasn't kind.

6-Feb-08: Paula Book - Rating: 3

Andy's comments before the film started were certainly right on. Knowing it was a predictable, slow moving fable certainly helped set the right expectations. The cinematography and acting were excellent.

6-Feb-08: Jim Young - Rating: 3

The scenes with music made the film worth watching, but the entire film was a little too long and a bit predictable. It could've used a few more minutes of Guitar Sam's songs and a few less of the long build up. I wasn't really too sure what the blind guitar player who only Sonny and Pintetop could see was supposed to represent, their musical muse? Nice to see Yaya DaCosta as China Doll go further than her "America's Next Top Model" start.

All in all, a nice ode to the birth of Rock and Roll.