A serviceable mystery that misses the "Joel filter" but keeps the quirk.
Honey Don't! is a mildly intriguing mystery featuring an affable lead performance from Margaret Qualley. What makes the film frustrating is that it features some of the unorthodox originality of the best works of the Coen Bros, but something just feels a little off.
"The patina of their films are all over Honey Don't. The quirky characters, the surreal situations, the off-kilter images and unique staging. But it just doesn't feel ...right."— Ray Manukay
🎬 Cast & Crew
- Director: Ethan Coen
- Starring: Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans
- Key Dept: Writers Ethan Coen & Tricia Cooke
The Vision
The patina of the Coen brothers' legacy is all over this film: quirky characters, surreal situations, and unique staging. However, it only features the creative input of one brother, Ethan Coen. One wonders what Joel could have contributed to round out some of the uneven edges.
🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts
- Spiritual Sequel: Second installment in Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke's "Lesbian B-Movie Trilogy."
- Bakersfield Vibes: Shot on location in Bakersfield, CA, to capture specific Americana aesthetics.
- Chris Evans’ Pivot: Evans jumped at the chance to play a "magnetic and unhinged" cult leader type.
✅ Pros
- Magnetic performances from Aubrey Plaza and Chris Evans.
- Margaret Qualley continues to be an engaging indie lead.
❌ Cons
- Script feels less polished than collaborative Coen classics.
- Pacing drags slightly despite the short runtime.
Full Review
Honey Don't! is a mildly intriguing mystery featuring an affable lead performance from Margaret Qualley. What makes the film frustrating is that it features some of the unorthodox originality of the best works of the Coen Brothers, yet something just feels a little off throughout the experience.
Of course, this film only features the creative input of one of the brothers, Ethan Coen. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with that; the patina of their shared filmography is all over the movie—the quirky characters, the surreal situations, the off-kilter images, and unique staging are all present. But it just doesn't feel... right. At first, I chalked it up to the lower budget, which is definitely a contributing factor, but I think the project also could have used the filter of his brother, Joel Coen. Two creative brains are often better than one, and one wonders how Joel could have rounded out some of those uneven edges.
That said, Honey Don't! is serviceable. It's not as if Ethan Coen can't make a good movie without his brother; this is a handsome production with some truly fun performances. Charlie Day provides plenty of humor, Aubrey Plaza is magnetic, and Chris Evans delivers an effectively unhinged turn. However, the film does tend to drag at various points, which is telling considering the runtime is only around 90 minutes. It suggests the script is perhaps not as polished as it should be.
I am nitpicking, however. It is still fun to visit the world of a Coen movie, and many of the trademark sensibilities are present here. Make no mistake: this is definitely a Coen production, even if it is just one brother at the helm. It’s worth a watch for fans of their specific brand of eccentricity, even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of their joint masterpieces.
🏆 Final Verdict
While it boasts a top-tier cast and plenty of trademark quirk, Honey Don't! lacks the razor-sharp precision found in earlier Coen collaborations. It's a fun ride for completionists, but perhaps a bit thin for casual viewers.
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