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Download, Watch online Honeydripper Movie.
| Genres: | MusicDr |
| Starring: | Charles S. Dutton, Danny Glover, Stacy Keach, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Sean Patrick Thomas, Lisa Gay Hamilton |
| Director(s): | John Sayles |
| Country: | USA |
| Year: | 2007 |
| IMDB Rating: | 6.7 |
1950. Rural Alabama. Cotton harvest. Its a make-or-break weekend for the Honeydripper Lounge and its owner, piano player Tyrone Pine Top Purvis. Deep in debt to the liquor man, the chicken man, and the landlord, Tyrone is desperate to lure the young cotton pickers and local Army base recruits into his juke joint, away from Touissants, the rival joint across the way. After laying off his regular talent, blues singer Bertha Mae, Tyrone announces to his sidekick Maceo that he has hired the famous electric guitar player, Guitar Sam, for a special one night only gig pack em in and save the club. On the day of the show, the train arrives and Guitar Sam is no where to be found. Tyrone is forced to take drastic action. He makes a deal with Sheriff Pugh to release Sonny, the kid who hopped off a freight car here in Harmony, and turned up in the club claiming he could play the guitar as well as any Guitar Sam. Tyrone cleans Sonny up and launches a last ditch scheme to pass off the young guitar picker as Guitar Sam just long enough to cut the lights and run off with cash box. When Sonny takes the stage and launches into his first scalding electric licks, Tyrone will learn if its lights out for the Honeydripper or if his luck has changed he might just be another man saved by rock n roll.
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Honeydripper (iPod) | Resolution: 480x272 px | Total Size: 340 Mb |
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Honeydripper (DVD) | Resolution: 720x416 px | Total Size: 1727 Mb |
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Honeydripper (DivX) | Resolution: 624x354 px | Total Size: 1780 Mb |
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Movie Photos: We have taken some photos of "Honeydripper". They represent actual movie quality.
Visitor Reviews: (20)
Chas 13 May 2012
showcase of Gary Clark Jr.
While a lot of people may not know Gary Clark Jr. out of Austin,Texas,this sort of helps to get his name out there. He is a "awesome"guitarist. Still in his early 20's and self taught. If you ever get thechance to see him perform, don't pass it up. He is a true blues man,and a "VERY" good one. It would be nice to see Gary showcased in a goodblues movie.While the actors in the movie are well known and most Ithought were very good. The movie itself was just OK for me. I wouldhave liked the movie to center more about the blues and Gary as atalent.Keb Mo was very good as the blind guitarist seeming to show upeverywhere abound town. Now, I am still very glad to see any movie thatshows some blues and the struggles and problems that goes with theblues. I know there are a lot of people that like to listen to blues.This venue of music is a true American art that should be morerecognized and showcased.
12 May 2012
A very good surprise
I was looking for a musical when I came across this and started to watch. Was surprised to find it a story about how music saved a man, his family, his business, and a drifter. It's a very good depiction about the times and the struggles the blacks had and that they could make it by sticking together. I gave it 5 stars only because that's as high as it goes. Oh, and by the way, I'm white.
hl123mthd 07 May 2012
Harlem Comes To Cotton
I was a bit confused before seeing this movie about what exactly I wasgoing to see. The reviews I could find seemed unanimous in that it wasa musical. But was it a highly fictionalised biopic of a black Rock andRoll pioneer, was it a whimsical look at the history of the blues, wasit a downbeat story of how a hard-nosed juke-joint owner with a heartof gold saves his place from falling into the hands of the local mob?Could it even be a subversive story of a stage in the emergence ofrebellious black culture from the institutionalised dominance of aracist state in a way which was to capture the imagination of youngpeople all over the world and send seismic tremors through the"civilised" world? That too. The truth is this I ended up agreeing witheveryone. It's all of these and more.More or less.I loved this film. It was great to see some of the great emblematicimages of the blues woven together in such a natural way. I wasdelighted to see Danny Glover as the juke-joint owner, and Keb' Mo' asa blind blues street singer, "reunited" like this (I'm talking aboutPeter Meyer's docudrama "Can't You Hear The Wind Howl" on the life ofRobert Johnson). And the newcomers (to me) were also great, Gary ClarkJr, who occasionally does resemble a very young Chuck Berry, and YayaDa Costa are revelations, veterans like Stacy Keach as acorrupt-but-benign sheriff, Carles S Dutton as Danny Gover's friend and"go fer" , impeccably cast ... as was everyone else. The script isstrong and well directed. Some have commented on the slow build but Ican't say I noticed it. Nor did I think the film overlong. The storydoes moralise ever so slightly, but not in the normal "HollywoodEnding" sense. Only the young are permitted their idealism, everyoneelse has to deal with the cares of the world, which most often seems tobe about choosing the lesser of two evils. The direction is neverheavy-handed. The characters appear all the more real because they aretaking time to think before they act. I hadn't realised until I sawthis how much that was missing in so many movies these days with theirimpossible spontaneity, rapid fire dialogue and appetite for action orraw sensation. John Sayles' direction has more than once been accusedof being loose but it is never languid. I hardly even noticed the useof flashback - a device I don't really appreciate. I especially liked the take on the emergence of R&R as the baby of theblues. When people, even fans, talk about it, there is always Elvis,and there is always lip-service to hillbilly, country, folk roots. NowI love Elvis - he's never off my CD player for long - but everybodyshould know by now that it was because of his love of the blues that hesang and performed the way he did. If Howlin' Wolf had been white (whata terrible thought) there would have been no need for Elvis (an equallyterrible thought). In one sense, "Honeydripper" gently sets the recordstraight from a blues point of view.I sincerely hope as many people as possible get to see this film. Theblues as a musical form is surprisingly healthy these days, but it hasbeen badly misunderstood culturally in recent years. The consumers, ifnot the artists of rap/hip-hop culture tend to see previous blackmusical forms as tainted by an association with slavery andUncle-Tom-ism. But the blues was not about being told what to do by aslave-owner. The opposite, if anything. At the particular time when"Honeydripper" takes place, 80plus years after the abolition ofslavery, the blues was "about" how far you could escape from slaveryand still not be free, among other things (like just having fun)! But Ihope they watch it not just from the point of view of the music or thestory but because it is a damn good film that takes us a step closer tounderstanding why so many of us behave as we do today.
C 06 May 2012
Delightful movie
It is one of those movies, where the word predictable will be a common part of many reviews, but at the same time the movie was quite delightful. It was reminiscent of a nice fiction book, with some real themes in it. Danny Glover was great, and the young guitar player was fabulous. I enjoyed the film.
02 May 2012
It is all about the music
In an era when the southern blues are giving way to rock and roll,this is a story of a small cotton town.The young guitar player comes in riding the rails, the older piano player is running (badly) the honeydipper club.The story is about the coming together of the forces in the town to make something new."Time to make way for what is coming next."I liked the plot and the music here.
Michael O'Keefe 01 May 2012
Blues at harvest time.
Picture 1950's Alabama at harvest time. Tyrone Purvis'(DannyGlover)former swinging little juke joint, The Honeydripper lounge,whistles a lonesome long-gone blues. Business is no business and he maybe forced to shut 'er down. But wait, he may be able to save theHoneydripper with just one big ass rockin' Saturday night. He will hirethe legendary Guitar Sam to be his champion. But any news is just morebad news...Guitar Sam can't make the gig for being in the hospital. Sothe story goes, Tyrone must quickly find another guitar-slinger to saveface and his Honeydripper. A versatile cast featuring: Lisa GayHamilton, Charles S. Dutton, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Mable John, Gary ClarkJr., Keb' Mo' and Stacy Keach. Volatile soundtrack featuringelectrifying rockin' blues from the likes of: The Aces of Spades, GaryClark Jr., Mable John, Keb' Mo', and even Hank Williams.
Lee Eisenberg 01 May 2012
pivot between eras
John Sayles, never one to avoid a political focus in movies, now bringsus "Honeydripper". The movie is set in 1950 Alabama. The Jim Crow lawsare still in effect, and black-white relations are limited toAfrican-Americans performing only the most menial jobs: a number ofpeople work in a cotton field for practically nothing (slavery hasrisen again!). Tyrone "Pinetop" Purvis (Danny Glover) owns a restaurantand often has singers come and play. Business hasn't been doing toowell recently. Pinetop has worked hard his whole life and barely gottenby...but the possible arrival of a New Orleans singer might changethings.Aside from the great music, one can also see this movie as a look atthe pivot era in the South. It's set during the Jim Crow era, aroundthe start of the Korean War, just a few years away from the civilrights movement. One notices that even though this is still the age ofinstitutionalized racism, many of the characters do what they can totry and have civil relationships with white people: Sheriff Pugh (StacyKeach) is on pretty good terms with Pinetop, and Pinetop's wife Delilah(Lisa Gay Hamilton) manages to carry on a conversation with heremployer (Mary Steenburgen). The music, of course, is really the bestpart. I certainly recommend this movie, as I have recommended everyJohn Sayles movie that I've seen.Also starring Yaya DaCosta, Charles S. Dutton, Vondie Curtis Hall, Keb'Mo', Kel Mitchell and Gary Clark Jr. I think that I saw John Sayles ina bit part.
les6969 30 April 2012
Good but not Great
This film has it's moments and there is a lot going on. It is an inciteinto early Rock and Roll and the fact that it was black singers andmusicians and not Elvis who started it all off. It shows the racism andcorrupt attitudes of the deep south and there is a little loveinterest. Danny Glover is outstanding as is Stacey Keech but all thesupport roles are also really well done. My only criticism about thisfilm is that it doesn't really go anywhere. At the end I was left withan empty feeling with so many unanswered questions. What happened tothe young guitar/singer after that weekend? Who was that blind manexactly? ( if he was blind, he gave the Danny Glover character aknowing nod at the gig ) Whay didn't the Stacey Keech character exposethe boy as not Guitar Sam? ( Money I am guessing? ) I think this was agood film and it kept my attention but it could have been grittier anda better ending.
colinbarnard-1 30 April 2012
A Welome Return by America's Great Independent Working Class Film Maker
This is not a great movie by any stretch, but it is a very GOOD one. Myrating should be 7.8. IMDb, invest in some higher technology! JohnSayles proves yet again what can be done when there is unity of visionon a film, and when everyone involved passionately believes in whatthey are doing. Any limitations this film has must surely be due to thebudget (was there one?) rather than any creative lapses on Sayles'part.In fact, the only problems I have with "Honeydripper" are technical:some of the shots are out of focus, some of the scenes drag, and thereis not a lot of dramatic tension to carry the piece along. It isenough, though, for those of us who can handle something more relaxedthan the kinetics of Michael Bey or Steven ("I'll do anything for anOscar!") Spielberg."Honeydripper" is really a small character study of a working classman, surrounded by good people, who is trying do do right by them andhimself. It is a romance for the nostalgia of the Deep South in 1950, aperiod where Jim Crow was on the cusp of yielding to John Kennedy.It is also a romance for music, where Gospel and Blues was about tofuse and metamorphise into Rock 'n Roll. Sayles loves everything he isdoing; you can feel the writer/director's respect and integrity throughthe camera and the screen.Unusual for a Sayles film, Danny Glover anchors the piece as itscentral character, the axis upon which the story and all the charactersrevolve. All the characters are complete human beings, with only a fewdrawn as caricatures. I don't mind.This would be a good film to show as a double bill with "The GreatDebators". Several themes overlap, but "Honeydrippers" is the moremature film. Here, a man's biggest grievance is not being able to livein dignity as a man who pays his way. Sayles' characteristic characterarcs provide us with many dignified men and women who achieve thatdignity by finding ways to honestly pay their way. They do it with joy,love and creativity.Another fine Working Class film from Cinema's Working Class Hero.
Ssgoldfine-1 30 April 2012
Honeydripper
Saw the movie, Honeydripper, with Danny Glover at the Palm Springs FilmFestival today and it was wonderful Music was delightful and greatcharacters, great photography, and I predict a big hit in 2008. It hasbeen an audience favorite and probably be in the Best of Fest nextMonday. Glover is outstanding; may be a little long, but every personin the film is well characterized. As a movie reviewer, I have given itFIVE STARS. I would like to know when it goes into general release so Ican tell people all over the country. The blues music, rock n rollblends together. I recommend it highly. If this film came out in 2007it would easily be in my top ten films of the year.
along-23 23 April 2012
sweet musical trip down south
OK, let me say right off the bat I am a little biased. This film wasshot here in Alabama, and most of it was filmed right here in my homecounty of Butler. One of my high school classmate's son is featuredthroughout the movie as "Lonnie" and other folks I know served asextras or performed as part of the choir.And I loved seeing the people and places I know up on the big screen. Ithink Maggie and John are "da bomb." The woman is a hugger; I love thatwarmth. John's the most down-to-earth guy.That being said, I can also honestly report to you "Honeydripper" is agood movie - not perfect, but very much worth seeing. I think DannyGlover is sensational in the lead role as Pine Top and he and CharlesDutton are totally believable as two old pals fighting the odds to savePine Top's blues club. Keb' Mo' is delightful as the "Greek Chorus"known as Possum, a mysterious and witty blind guitarist.If you love blues music and early rock 'n' roll; if you enjoy a storythat takes its time, one filled with complex characters and somememorable lines penned by Sayles - a movie made with love and lots ofheart - then "Honeydripper" just might be for you.
Cliff Sloane 22 April 2012
High-school level story hidden behind great music
This is a story right out of the "Hey, kids, let's put on a show!"cliché. One implausibility piled on top of another in a "feelgood"/"right will triumph" pattern that is SO OVERWHELMINGLY dominantin American movies. John Sayles has long been one of my favoritedirectors/screenwriters, so the foolishness of this movie came as ashock.What happened? Where has the creator of "Casa de los Babys" and "LoneStar" gone? What happened to the creator of such exhilarating plots as"Limbo" and "Passion Fish"? I can only guess that he farmed it out toone of his kids, or an intern, or something like that. This movie fitsin more with the rush job of the Scorcese-produced blues films thanwith a Sayles project.Here is my "disclosure" statement. I have been a working musician andhave spent most of my adult life in the company of musicians. Thismovie reveals some of the biggest complaints musicians have about theirportrayal by non-musicians. The biggest is that non-musicians don'tunderstand the role of rehearsals, individual practice and the hugeamount of work and effort it takes to seem "talented." This movie isanother example, and a rather extreme case at that.I also have a question for Keb Mo. Why do you sign on to so manyprojects that undervalue your efforts? I am thinking of the NPR BluesHistory radio series and now this. Don't you have more leverage thanthat?
22 April 2012
Great story
Yes it was a little slow in parts, but I just couldn't turn it off once it started. I loved the characters and really cared about them. I never was in the rural south during the 50s, although I spent some time in Fort Benning, Georgia in 1951, but it sure felt like I was there during this movie. Danny Glover was made for the part and Stacy Keach was unforgettable as the sheriff. I would put this in a class like "Cinema Paradiso", just a gem of a movie. I loved the music also.
21 April 2012
I didn't see this film but wanted to add something
I've been waiting to see a film like this for almost 29 years and it's about time too. I think this film will be just like all the other films about Alabama and the south and musicians and a stero-typical music scene where people are poor but have music to fall back on to get them through tough times, etc., etc. Well, anyway not having seen the film and not liking happy endings that is about all I have to say.
20 April 2012
Authentic southern Blues story
This review is from: Honeydripper (DVD) Having lived in the south for many years, "Honeydripper" was a nostalgic trip for us. Thought the acting excellent for the most part. Certainly the setting rang true. There is a long wait for the music, but the reward is worth it.
19 April 2012
Not to be missed film
Just loved this film, although the story was pretty predictable, the music was outstanding. The cinematography was compelling and filled with great actors. Everyone left the theater with a smile on their face and their toes tapping. Try not to miss this one!
hcoursen 19 April 2012
wonderful film
I tuned into this one while trolling for a film and became immediatelyabsorbed. The film interlocks several plots, as 'The Waltons' used todo -- the problem of keeping the night spot out of the hands of thecriminal creditors, the issue of the unfulfilled wife (nicely mirroredby the alcoholic white woman for whom she is a servant), young lovedeveloping between the guitar player and lovely China Doll, a disputebetween two cotton pickers (one a city slicker, the other a local fieldhand), the sheriff who, of course, is a racist but who loves un-spicedfried chicken, the inevitable tug of fundamentalist religion on theunderclass of a rural town, and two waifs who end the film with a mimeof the musicians they hope to be. I confess that I was stationed insouthern Georgia a little after the time of this film and found my ownexperiences coming back vividly. It is a warm film, drawing on anominous set of possibilities lurking behind the action, and it doesn'tcheat with its interlocking happy endings. What a surprise!
18 April 2012
What a Waste Of Time - What A disappointment
This review is from: Honeydripper (DVD) I should have read all the reviews before I bought it. I live in Australia and I had to import it. Arriving yesterday I eagerly sat down to watch and got the same reaction as the other 1 star review. What a wasted opportunity. I love music from that era and I thought I would be in for a treat especially as Gary Clark was involved. BIG MISTAKE. I'm not sure what the movie was supposed to be about, it sure wasn't about the music. Roosevelt Sykes would be rolling in his grave.
12 April 2012
A great look at the pre-Elvis music scene in the south!
I love movies that provide insight in how 20th-century American music developed in the transitional period between the heyday of blues and the coming of rock and roll! It's fascinating to see, looking back, how people were dumbfounded at the idea of an electric guitar ("How does it make a sound? There's no soundhole!") The 50's and 60's were definitely the most exciting decades for being a musician--new ideas, musical styles and technology were developing at rapid speeds all over the place. What this movie does is provide an insight in how these kind of changes impacted a smalltown community in the south in 1950. The famous Guitar Sam (a character very obviously inspired by real blues artist Guitar Slim) backs out on a gig at the Honeydripper. No problem, some local upstart kid with an electric guitar can fill in for him--as Guitar Sam! The people in the community are so technologically deprived that they don't even know what Guitar Sam looks like, even though they eagerly flock to the club to see him perform!Danny Glover does a great job in portraying the down-on-his-luck club owner, who needs to free himself of debt and his own demons stemming from an incident in his past. Keb Mo also does a great job in playing the guitar-playing character who embodies these demons.Great music from Keb Mo and the other artists who supply the music. The piano playing during the end credits is some of the best blues piano playing you will ever hear! Fantastic! Great movie! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
12 April 2012
Cliche's and bad historical fiction - blues fans don't bother
I was looking very forward to this movie, the cover made me think it would be about a guy playing cigar box guitar, but no, its some sort of modern looking pseudo-hobbled-together guitar. It uses modern cigar box pickups with an Epiphone or Gibson neck. Check out wikipedia to get an idea of what was happening in guitars in 30's to 50's.Aside from that, the first half hour is full of cliches - did the writer actually do any research on Alabama in the 1950's? Not even a trace of accent, a mixture of 30's and 70's clothing, the actors use phrasings which are contemporary. I laughed for the first 45 mins or so. The whole thing rolls out like a 50's version of "Booty Time", except Booty time was a lot funnier. Should I say, somebody's fantasy of the 50's?The entire plot "situation" is painfully foreshadowed, we know from the first 15 minutes how this is going to end.The whitey sheriff who likes Glover's wife's cooking (apparently she invents KFC), reminds you of "Smokey and The Bandit", which may have served as research material.What movie about blacks would be complete without a rich white women donating an un-useable dress to her maid: I was surprised it wasn't torn, but it was too small...There were a few genuine moments, but this movie is a bit too Disney - a fantasy world somebody cooked up. Some of the scenes have a surreal look and the featuring of a few big name performers was nice.