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American Honey is a coming-of-age drama film directed by Andrea Arnold and released in 2016. The movie stars Sasha Lane, Shia LaBeouf, and Riley Keough in lead roles. The film revolves around a teenage girl named Star, played by Sasha Lane, who leaves her troubled life behind to join a group of traveling magazine salespeople. The group, led by the charismatic and unpredictable Jake, played by Shia LaBeouf, drives across the mid-western part of America in search of customers who want to buy subscriptions to their magazine, which allows them to travel, have fun, and make money.

The story is set against the backdrop of a harsh and impoverished America, where the characters are struggling to survive and find their place in society. Throughout the course of the film, Star goes through a journey of self-discovery, discovering her identity and experiencing new relationships and adventures along the way.

One of the key themes of American Honey is the search for freedom and self-expression. Star embodies this theme, as she leaves behind her dysfunctional family and embarks on a journey to find herself. She is immediately drawn to the group of hippie-like magazine sellers, who are free-spirited and uninhibited in their pursuit of fun, adventure, and self-fulfillment. Star is quickly swept up into their world, and as she travels with them, she enjoys a sense of freedom and empowerment that she has never felt before. She revels in the music, the dancing, the partying, and the sense of community that she experiences on the road.

Another theme of the film is the exploration of relationships, particularly the powerful and complex dynamic between Star and Jake. Their relationship is fraught with tension and intensity, as they are drawn to each other despite their vastly different backgrounds and experiences. Jake is both tender and aggressive towards Star, and she struggles to understand and navigate the powerful attraction that she feels for him.

Throughout the film, Star also forges close relationships with other members of the group, including her roommate, Pagan played by Arielle Holmes, and group leader, Krystal played by Riley Keough. Pagan is initially cold and distant towards Star, but their relationship gradually develops into a close bond through shared experiences and understanding of each other's struggles.

Krystal, the group's leader, initially presents herself as a maternal figure who takes care of her sellers and provides them with support and guidance. However, Krystal's tough exterior hides a darker side, and as the film progresses, it becomes clear that she is merely using the group to make herself rich, exploiting their naivety and desperation to sell magazines.

In addition to its exploration of themes, American Honey is notable for its stunning cinematography and soundtrack. The film captures the vastness and beauty of the American landscape, as well as the gritty realities of life on the road. The soundtrack features a mix of contemporary pop and rap music, as well as classic country and rock songs.

Overall, American Honey is a thought-provoking and emotional film that explores themes of identity, freedom, relationships, and the search for meaning in life. The powerful performances by Sasha Lane, Shia LaBeouf, and Riley Keough, as well as the stunning cinematography and soundtrack, make for a captivating and unforgettable cinematic experience.

American Honey is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 80.