Streaming Now - "What I'm Watching: Krisha and American Honey" (Film Review)

I used this week to check out what's streaming. Following is a review of two movies available now through Amazon Prime; Krisha and American Honey.

Krisha

Still from Krisha (2015)

I've been highly anticipating the film, It Comes at Night, opening in theaters on June 9th. From watching the trailer alone, I was impressed by the look and feel of the film. It Comes at Night is only the second feature film by director/writer, Trey Edward Shults. His first feature film was released in 2015 entitled, Krisha. This film follows a woman named Krisha as she sets out to spend Thanksgiving weekend with her family. Krisha has been estranged for her family for ten years, apparently due to a substance abuse problem she used to have. Newly clean, Krisha reaches out to her sister with the hopes of reconnecting with her family and regaining their trust. However, it seems that Krisha is still battling her demons, and a downward spiral is imminent.

This film is impressive, and even more so after learning that it's the first feature film that Shults had written and directed. It was very well-received in a number of festivals upon its release, including SXSW, and quickly pegged Shults as "one to watch". The film was shot in nine days at the director's Texas home, and features a cast that is primarily comprised of Shults' family. The title character, Krisha (Fairchild), is the director's aunt, and the actor portraying Krisha's sister is her sister in real life (and Shults' mother). Even Shults plays a small role in the film, casting himself as Krisha's son. Krisha is fantastic in the title role, especially in a number of close up scenes that showcase her emotional depth. The film really relies on her performance. I was also pleasantly surprised  by Shults' mother, Robyn, who was among those who was not an actor, but was quite impressive in one powerful and emotional scene between Robyn and Krisha. The film is somber and erie, and though the plot is simple, the events that transpire have a palpable tension that will keep you intrigued. If nothing else, it will make you more eager (like me) to see what Shults shortly has in store for us with It Comes at Night. Here's a trailer for both films.

Krisha (2015)

It Comes at Night (2017)

American Honey

Still with Sasha Lane and Shia Labeouf in American Honey (2016)

American Honey is a coming of age film that follows a young girl named Star, eager to escape the unfavorable circumstances of her life at home. Star appears to assume the role of a parent to her two younger siblings, and we quickly learn why as we witness the irresponsible ways of the actual parents. After a brief interaction at the supermarket with Jake, (played by Shia Labeouf), accompanied by a group of rowdy teens, Star is tempted by Jake's offer for a mysterious job opportunity. After considering her circumstances, Star decides to abandon her life at home in Texas and head with the crew to Kansas City. We learn that the job opportunity involves selling magazines door to door. And, just like that, Star hops in a van with Jake and crew, and they make their way across the Midwest.

American Honey is only the fourth feature film for British director/writer, Andrea Arnold. Like Krisha, this film was also very well-received at many film festivals, including Cannes. At roughly two hours and forty minutes long, the film follows this magazine crew through various types of escapades, ranging from fun and playful to risky and dangerous. Arnold formed the idea for the film based on an article on real life magazine crews that was featured in the New York Times a number of years ago. The film shares another similarity with Krisha, in that, many of the actors in the film were regular, non-actor teenagers, scouted out by Arnold in various places. One of the teens cast as an actor had even previously participated in a real magazine crew, and was able to share her experiences with Arnold. The film's main character, Star, is played by Sasha Lane who was among many of those cast with no acting experience. Lane was approached by Arnold for the role when she was spotted on a beach in Florida, and perfectly fit the mold for what Arnold had in mind for the character.

This, among other aspects of the film, is was what made me enjoy it so much. It feels very real, and you almost forget that you are watching a film throughout the two hours and forty minutes. The journey across the Midwest portrays very vivid contrasts between the different socio-economic classes among the many locations that are featured. The crew visits the wealthy and privileged, as well as those struggling in poorer circumstances on their door to door journey, and what they walk into each time couldn't be more different and eye opening. The raw quality of the film is what makes it so special and intriguing. The performances by Sasha Lane (playing Star), Shia Labeouf (playing Jake), and Riley Keough (playing Krystal) are particularly strong. The chemistry between Lane and Labeouf is so electric, and captivates throughout. Taking into consideration that this was the first acting role for Lane, she did a great job maintaining the momentum of the film with a very believable performance. Labeouf and Keough, both perfectly suited for their roles, are actors that I have been a big fan of for many years, and they both give exceptional performances. Arnold did an excellent job weaving these characters in and out of precarious situations, leaving the audience constantly at the edge of their seat, anticipating the worst to come by the external world coming in contact with the magazine crew. Overall, I very much enjoyed this film and the soundtrack that accompanies it. 

American Honey (2016)

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