American Honey Essay

The film American Honey has an immersive soundtrack that adds to the dramatic action of the film. The interesting thing about all of the songs in the film is that it appeared that they were all diegetic. By making all of the songs diegetic, it is safe to assume that the music the audience hears is shares a similar effect on the characters of the film. I felt that there were two songs in particular that had resounding effects on Star. These two songs are Copperhead Road by Steve Earle, and I Kill Children by Dead Kennedys. Although I Kill Children is not listed in the American Honey soundtrack and the actual song is not played, it is sung word for word by a character in the film which makes this song unique from other songs in the film.

This is the scene where Star is selling magazines in the low income neighborhood, and encounters two children with a father allegedly in Omaha, and a sleeping mother. At this point we witness the daughter sing part of I Kill Children by Dead Kennedys. I believe that this is done in order to elicit a shocked reaction from the audience. However, its main goal is to show that the real surprise isn’t that the girl is singing about child murder, but rather that the mother is strung out on drugs, and the family’s near empty refrigerator. I do feel that it is important that I make it clear that there is no issue with the child listening to, and singing Dead Kennedys’ songs, but only that the chosen song is meant to be a surprise. The chosen song is about a deteriorating mental state that has driven someone to have the urge to kill children. Like many Dead Kennedys songs it is predominantly meant to be a rebellious song to shock mainstream america. The song in and of itself holds little meaning, but in the context of the film its value is more than just surface level. After Star hears this song, and witnesses the children’s atrocious home situation, she has a revelation. Star remembers who she was in the beginning of the film. Star realizes that she hasn’t been making good decisions, and has an act of kindness and buys groceries for the kids. Sadly, this revelation