Noir Reimagined: The Bold Evolution of 'Honey Dont'
In this episode of *Movies First*, Chris and Jessica embark on a thrilling exploration of *Honey Dont*, a groundbreaking film that reimagines the classic film noir genre through a modern lesbian lens. The hosts delve into Margaret Qualley's captivating portrayal of Honey O'Donohue, whose journey through the sun-soaked streets of Bakersfield is steeped in complex family dynamics and trauma. They discuss the weight of her performance, particularly in emotionally charged moments with her sister, Heidi, highlighting how this film honors the rich tradition of noir while pushing boundaries.
Chris and Jessica also dissect Chris Evans' surprising role as the corrupt Reverend Drew Devlin, noting how he expertly conveys menace in every gesture, subverting audience expectations. The film's nuanced approach to violence is praised for its impactful delivery, reminiscent of classic noir's strategic use of brutality. The chemistry between Qualley and Aubrey Plaza, who plays MG Falcone, is electric, creating a tension-filled dynamic that keeps viewers guessing.
The episode touches on the film's thoughtful critique of religious corruption without alienating faith itself, focusing instead on power dynamics—a theme central to noir storytelling. Listeners will appreciate how Honey's sexuality is seamlessly integrated into her character, avoiding clichéd tropes and instead offering a refreshing perspective in a genre often lacking in representation.
Visual aesthetics are also a focal point, with Chris and Jessica praising the film's ability to blend classic noir shadows with modern color palettes, creating a unique visual language that enhances the storytelling. They explore the mystery elements woven throughout the narrative, likening the experience to a gripping novel that keeps audiences engaged with each twist and turn.
With a solid rating of 7.5 out of 10, *Honey Dont* stands as a bold and innovative entry in the noir genre, showcasing the potential for evolution while remaining true to its roots. Join Chris and Jessica as they celebrate this film's fresh take on a beloved genre, paving the way for future storytelling possibilities.
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Chris: Film noir has always been about exploring
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society's dark underbelly. But what happens
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when you take those shadowy streets and
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filter them through a, uh, modern lesbian
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lens? That's the fascinating
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experiment we're seeing in Honeydont.
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Jessica: Let me tell you what makes this so
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groundbreaking. It's not just about
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representation. It's how they've managed to
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take those classic noir elements and
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completely reinvent them without losing what
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makes the genre special.
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Chris: You know what really stands out here?
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Margaret Qualley's portrayal of Honey o'.
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Donohue. The way she carries herself through
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Bakersfield's sun bleached streets. You can
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feel every ounce of her character's
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complicated history.
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Jessica: That's exactly what I was thinking,
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especially in those scenes where she's
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protecting her sister, Heidi. There's this
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weight to her performance that speaks to
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generations of family trauma.
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Chris: Speaking of complicated histories, let's talk
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about Chris Evans as Reverend Drew Devlin.
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Here's America's former captain playing this
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absolutely corrupted preacher. Talk about
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playing against type.
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Jessica: Well, what really struck me about his
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performance is how he manages to make every
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blessed gesture feel like a threat. It's
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so far from what we expect from Evans.
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Chris: The film's approach to violence is
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particularly interesting. It's not
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gratuitous, but when it happens, like with
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Corinne's beating and disappearance, it hits
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hard. It reminds me of how classic noir films
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would handle violence sparingly but
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effectively.
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Jessica: The way they balance those darker elements
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with moments of levity, like that charming
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turquoise Chevrolet, really keeps you off
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balance.
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Chris: And then there's Aubrey Plaza as MG
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Falcone. Her chemistry with Quali is
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electric. Every scene they share has this
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crackling tension where you're never quite
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sure if they're about to kiss or kill each
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other.
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Jessica: So what do you make of how they handled the
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religious elements? That's always such
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tricky territory in films.
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Chris: Well, they manage to critique specific
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corruption without making it feel like a
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broader attack on faith itself. It's more
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about power and how people abuse it, which is
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really at the heart of any good noir story.
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Jessica: That's precisely what makes this film feel so
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contemporary while still honoring its noir
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roots. It's taking on modern issues through
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this classic lens.
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Chris: You know what really makes this work? The way
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they handle Honey's sexuality. It's just part
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of who she is, not some big plot point.
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Even her interactions with Charlie Day's
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character, Marty Matakowicz, feel natural and
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unforced.
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Jessica: Let me point out how refreshing that is,
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especially in a genre that historically
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hasn't been great with representation.
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Chris: The M technical aspects really deserve
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special mention too. The way they shoot
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Bakersfield makes it feel both familiar and
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somehow threatening, especially in those
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scenes around the church. It's like they've
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created this whole new visual language for
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noir.
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Jessica: That visual style really does stand out.
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The way they balance those classic noir
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shadows with modern color choices is just
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masterful.
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Chris: And let's talk about how they handle the
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mystery elements, particularly around what's
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happening at the church. Like reading a
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really good novel where each chapter reveals
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just enough to keep you hooked while holding
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back crucial information.
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Jessica: Well, that's what makes it such a page turner
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of a film. You're never quite sure what's
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coming next, but everything makes perfect
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sense in retrospect.
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Chris: Looking at the bigger picture, I think what
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we're seeing here is how genre films can
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evolve while staying true to their roots.
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It's taking everything we love about noir,
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the corruption, the danger, the complex
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characters, and making it relevant for
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today's audiences.
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Jessica: That's exactly why this film feels so
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special. It's both a love letter to classic
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noir and a completely fresh take on the
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genre.
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Chris: You m know what's going to be interesting?
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Seeing how this influences future
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noir films. Because I think Honey
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don't has shown us that there's still plenty
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of room for innovation in what some might
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consider a very traditional genre.
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Jessica: Well, if nothing else, it's definitely opened
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up new possibilities for storytelling in noir
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and that's something worth celebrating.
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Chris: To sum up, Honey don't is the
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equivalent of a page turner where you are
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never sure what is coming next. It is
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sensual crime infested, bold and
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belligerent, with some delightful cinematic
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touches. Honey drives an open top
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vintage turquoise Chevrolet while a cheeky
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little scooter adds to the charm. But what
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really makes this left of center movie is the
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performance of Margaret Qualley as the femme
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fatale. Honey don't
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scores a seven and a half out of ten.
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You've been listening to movies first
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available.
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Jessica: At Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
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iHeartRadio or your favourite podcast
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player.
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Chris: You can also stream on
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demand@bytes.com this has been another
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quality podcast production from
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bytes.com.
