this is the first time willem dafoe has not looked like the human embodiment of evil he was truly willem dafriend in this

american honey jr

(but i also don’t wanna minimize this with a joke because??? it made me feel every emotion at once for a full 115 minutes)

Sean Baker's TANGERINE follow-up is an absolute barn-burner, brimming with life and noise and neglect and an all-timer of a performance by Willem Dafoe. Baker definitely finding his groove... endlessly smart move to flip the script on his breakthrough and apply the same energy to a gorgeously shot 35mm slice of Americana that reeks of POST TENEBRAS LUX for a reason. A movingly episodic story of the "missing homeless" living week-to-week in a godawful motel just outside of the Magic Kingdom, the film builds a remarkably comprehensive portrait of life on the margins - and the systems & cycles that keep people there.

35mm at Music Box (Sean Baker there in person)
Personally told Sean Baker afterwards that I wouldn’t just log it as “watched at music box”. He laughed! Nothing new to say besides I never noticed how great and smooth the editing is.

“You know why this is my favorite tree? Because it tipped over, and it’s still growing.”

literal magic, blends american honey and sean bakers previous project tangerine in the most enchanting and immersive way possible. i can’t say anything else that hasn’t already been said, but i truly feel like a kid again.

Sweet and sad and beautiful

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

I wanna hug William Dafoe and pretty much every other main character in this movie. And then run away from everything to Disney World.

Fuck

.....and people ask why you need to shoot on film.....

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

This is such a human story about kids just trying to enjoy their summer as adult problems try to get in the way of that. The kids here are hilarious as they try to satiate their curiosity and itch for amusement. Willem Dafoe has a special performance here, as he you love every minute he is on screen. This is truly a treat of film that is a joy to watch, even when it gets very real at times.

That was some colour pallet.

I could say Willem Defoe is a treasure, and it would absolutely not be overstated. This film encapsulates summer as a kid like no other. Heartwarming and innocent, not ready for the world. My heart breaks but at the same time kids always seem to find a way to enjoy what they're given and make friends when they need them. The actors might not be the best, but the director made the kids likeable, charming and unbelievably real (while still being little shits). This movie was snubbed and it's plain to see.

My favorite parts were the long, panning, wide shots. I don't think the same person should write, direct and edit the same film but this time it worked. Really well, actually.