4 reviews !!
*
*
Human interest drama that treats the viewer as an intelligent being
Author: euroGary from United Kingdom
8 November 2013
'Honey' is an Italian/French co-production about euthanasia. A young woman (Jasmine Trinca, who has absolutely gorgeous eyes) helps those seriously ill people who wish to end their suffering to do so. She does this work because she believes it is the right thing to do, although she's no campaigner. But her self-confidence is challenged by Grimaldi (Carlo Cecchi), a middle-aged man who requests her help to die not because he is suffering, but simply because he is tired of life. A relationship of - perhaps - mutual fascination forms between the pair as Honey tries to understand Grimaldi's choice and to convince him to change his mind, while Grimaldi stubbornly insists the whys and wherefores are none of her business - he simply wants to employ her to help him die.
Trinca does well in her leading role, convincing in a detachment that gradually turns into greater emotional involvement in what she's doing. In his role as 'grouchy old man', Cecchi is offered less scope. The film does not seem to judge whether euthanasia is right or wrong, but allows the viewer to make up his/her own mind. The ending is perhaps needlessly soppy, but done in a thankfully low-key way. All-in-all, well worth seeing.
*
Honey is a human drama that has a decent plot. The film, which is the directing debut of Italian actress Valeria Golino is a well shot, well-made film, that's only real weakness is just how confusing it can sometimes be. The film deals with the idea of euthanasia, and does not necessarily tell us whether it is a good or a bad thing.
Honey tells the story of Irene (played by Jasmine Trinca) an Italian woman nicknamed Honey who has dedicated herself to helping people who are suffering, by helping them ending their lives. She tries to find ways to make their problems less severe, despite the extreme decisions they do, because she believes it is the right thing to do. When she meets a middle-aged man named Grimaldi (played by Carlo Cecchi), her self-confidence is challenged, as Grimaldi wants her to end his life not because he is suffering, but because he is bored. A mutual relationship formed between the two as Honey sets out to learn why Grimaldi wants to do what he wants to do.
An Italian/French co-production partially shot in Mexico, Honey is a movie that shows real human emotions. The performances in the film help immensely. Jasmine Trinca, the actress, playing Honey shows different moods throughout the film, such as frustration, anger and happiness, and she shows them all very well.
The film itself has an interesting idea for a plot that deals with euthanasia which is banned in most countries and it's not hard to see why. The idea of taking someone's life no matter had bad they are suffering, does not sit well with many people. Honey does not necessarily say that euthanasia is a good thing; instead the film explains why the idea is actually helpful in some ways. Those who are suffering from a disease that they can't cure objectively want their lives to taken away from them. The film, however, also shows us why the idea of euthanasia is potentially dangerous, with Honey, the main character, even questioning such a thing once in the film.
Being a first time director, aside from a short film, director Golino does some interesting camera choices. One recurring motif throughout the film is Honey swimming in the water, which occurs three times during the film. The idea seems to be that water is meant to represent Honey at her most natural state, and that she swims in order to drown out the misery in her life.
The soundtrack using both English and Italian songs is also well incorporated. In the scene where Honey is taking her bike ride, the song helps to push the mood of the scene, as we see her going by quite fast on her bicycle.Honey is not a masterpiece by any means. Some viewers might find the plot to be a little confusing to follow. However, I find the film to be an interesting look at euthanasia and how it affects people.
*
Author: film_ophile from boston mass. usa
10 February 2015I agree completely with the 3 other reviews. I mostly wanted to rave about this actress, Jasmine Trinca. She is really SOMEthing! She is unusually beautiful and elfin, w/ her Audrey Hepburn haircut, but that attribute is never mentioned in the film, and all the attention is on her laser sharp focus on her mission: traveling, procuring,returning and overseeing her Mexican contraband used by terminally ill people in Italy who wish to end their lives. She takes everything VERY seriously, and it is quite something when she finally smiles, near the film's end. I know using 'girl' instead of woman is not PC, but in this case, she looks soooo young (like 17,even though she was actually twice that old !) That, and maybe her naiveté, made me think of her as a girl.
The very unusual, complex and never explained relationship that develops w/ the 'grumpy old man' is the crux of the story, and the catalyst for change. For me, the film's ending depicted an act that was a true affirmation of Love, and I felt very satisfied by that.Film endings are rarely this successful. But you do have to figure it all out for yourself, because all the visual clues are there for you, but the dialogue never reveals most of what I picked up from watching it. Honey makes for a great conversation piece, about matters that really mean something in how we live our lives. A completely compelling and engrossing experience.
*
Jasmine Trinca is Honey, a beautiful young woman enjoying the life of a free spirit, living alone in a beach front apartment in Italy. She seems to be without means but she is in contact with a hospital worker, a friend of hers, who pays her to assist dying patients in their death. She feels she's giving people relief but what she does is illegal.
She's handled all the emotional issues until one of her rules is broken and she's suddenly at risk of losing her moral compass. The movie then chronicles her struggle to maintain through her unexpected friendship with one of her older clients, Carlo Cecchi in a wonderful supporting role.
The movie is affecting and beautifully shot. The acting is mostly Trinca's responsibility and she carries it off so impressively that I couldn't help thinking how she's somewhat reminiscent of a cross between Keira Knightley and Winona Ryder but better than either. Ultimately what I liked best about this film is that it so convincingly matches or exceeds all other attempts to cover this sensitive topic I'm aware of.
