American Honey (2016) is an evocative coming-of-age film directed by Andrea Arnold, which captures the story of a group of teenagers who travel across the Midwest, selling magazine subscriptions. The film is an exploration of youthful rebellion, the pursuit of freedom, and the complex emotions that come with growing up. One of the central themes that emerges in the film is the tension between idealism and reality, which is exemplified through the characters’ jealousy and the dream of becoming “stars.”
In American Honey, the characters are looking for meaning, an identity, and a sense of belonging, but also, they are seeking something bigger—perhaps even fame or recognition. This search for something more can lead to envy and jealousy, especially when they see others experiencing success or recognition, while they remain stuck in a cycle of impermanence and obscurity.
In this blog post, we will explore how jealousy and the desire for stardom play pivotal roles in the characters’ journeys in American Honey.
The Allure of Stardom
At its core, American Honey is about a group of young individuals trying to make something of themselves in a world that often feels indifferent to their struggles. The central character, Star, played by Sasha Lane, is a teenager who joins a group of magazine sellers who travel around the country. She’s looking for an escape from her troubled home life, and the road represents freedom. However, as she gets deeper into the world of the sales crew, she begins to encounter the darker sides of this lifestyle—the complexity of relationships, the fleeting nature of success, and the quiet jealousy that bubbles beneath the surface.
The desire to be something greater than oneself is a universal theme, especially among young people. It’s common to see characters in movies like American Honey idolizing the idea of stardom, even though they are often confronted with the harsh reality that fame and success are elusive and fleeting. Jealousy becomes a natural emotion when others around you seem to achieve the things you desire but feel beyond your grasp.
Star and the Jealousy of Stardom
As the movie unfolds, Star begins to experience jealousy in subtle but significant ways. She admires and envies the charismatic leader of the group, Jake (played by Shia LaBeouf), who seems to have a magnetic personality and a certain allure. Jake isn’t just a salesman—he’s a kind of self-made star. He carries an air of confidence that the other members of the crew are drawn to, and it’s clear that Star, in her own way, wishes she could have some of his charisma and ability to control the group.
Star’s jealousy isn’t just about Jake’s success in leading the crew, though. It’s also about her own aspirations and dreams. As someone who’s looking for a way to define herself outside of her past, Star is caught between her admiration for Jake and the desire to step into her own role within the group. At times, she seems to crave recognition and admiration, which she sees reflected in Jake’s magnetic presence.
However, Star soon realizes that the world of selling magazine subscriptions is filled with distractions and fleeting moments of joy, while also carrying the weight of jealousy and rivalry. Her relationship with Jake becomes strained as she learns that his charm, while powerful, is also part of a larger, more complicated picture. Jake’s attention isn’t always genuine, and his actions may lead Star to question her own desires and motivations.
The Envy of Freedom
Another interesting element of American Honey is the sense of jealousy that develops over freedom itself. The characters of the movie are not just chasing fame or stardom, but also the freedom to live without the rules and expectations of the world around them. Star, in particular, is captivated by the promise of freedom that comes with life on the road—free from societal expectations and the constraints of a traditional lifestyle.
However, this freedom is not as liberating as it might seem. As Star begins to experience more of the journey, she realizes that the dream of escaping societal norms is filled with its own burdens and struggles. The young people in the crew are constantly fighting against their own sense of limitations and the insecurity of not knowing what comes next.
Star’s envy isn’t just directed at people who seem to have more success or recognition; it’s also about the nature of the journey itself. She sees others finding meaning and adventure in their lives, and she yearns for that same sense of fulfillment. There’s a profound internal jealousy that surfaces as she witnesses the disillusionment that comes with living a life without a clear future. At the same time, she struggles to find her own path in a world that is constantly on the move.
The Impact of Jealousy in American Honey
Jealousy, in American Honey, isn’t just about wanting what someone else has—it’s also about the longing for a sense of identity and belonging. The characters are all striving to make something of themselves, but they are faced with the painful realization that their dreams of fame, love, and success are more complicated than they initially seem. Jealousy and desire for stardom act as forces that drive the characters to act impulsively, create deep emotional connections, and at times, make them feel isolated from the world around them.
Star’s journey is a poignant exploration of youth, ambition, and self-realization. In her quest to be something more, she finds herself torn between the illusion of stardom and the reality of the world she’s navigating. Her internal battle with jealousy and longing mirrors the larger struggles that many young people face in trying to find their place in an often indifferent and competitive world.
Conclusion
American Honey is a rich and complex film that dives deep into the desires, struggles, and jealousy of young people who are trying to carve out their place in the world. Through Star’s journey, we see how the longing for recognition and stardom can both propel individuals forward and lead them to feelings of envy and self-doubt. Ultimately, American Honey serves as a reminder that the pursuit of freedom, fame, and fulfillment is rarely straightforward and can often leave us grappling with the complexities of jealousy, identity, and our place in the world.
If you haven’t already, American Honey is a must-watch film for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of youth, ambition, and the complicated emotions that come with growing up. It’s a story of searching for something greater, and the internal conflicts that often arise along the way.
