Intense Lesbian Noir Drama Turns Out to Be Unexpected Desired Viewing
In the world of Honey Don't!, a landlocked Southern California city becomes the backdrop for a murder mystery that redefines traditional gender roles within the detective genre. The film, directed by Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, stars Margaret Qualley as Honey O'Donahue, a sharp and witty private investigator whose character embodies a unique blend of toughness and seductive intelligence.
Honey's wardrobe, influenced by fashion icons like Lauren Bacall and Katharine Hepburn, is a testament to her feminine charm, yet it remains grounded in her role as a detective in Bakersfield. This balance of style and substance adds depth to her character, making her a captivating lead who uses her feminine wiles and savvy demeanor to navigate a male-dominated investigative landscape.
The butch-femme dynamic, a staple in lesbian subculture, is evident in Honey's interactions with other characters such as Marty, a flirtatious individual who often needs reminding of Honey's queer identity. This dynamic adds complexity to both Honey's professional role and her personal identity, engaging with themes of sexuality, power, and deception.
Cooke's mission for "Honey Don't!" was to make lesbian protagonists visible within the noir genre, and she achieved this by making Honey's identity an integral but not exceptional part of her universe. This approach allows for moments of satire and sharp banter, enhancing the film's dark comedy and mystery elements.
The film's explicit scenes, particularly those between Honey and MG, serve to embrace women's sexuality, while the reverend's sex scenes are intended to be a bit ridiculous, adding to the film's comedic tone.
Cooke and Coen are currently working on the final installment of their sapphic trilogy, "Go Beavers", which promises a deeper, more psychedelic tone compared to its predecessors. The plot revolves around a crew team who reunite, only to start dying off one by one, drawing inspiration from the 1971 Australian outback survival film "Walkabout".
"Honey Don't!" debuts on Aug. 22 and is the second installment of Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke's lesbian-centric trilogy, following the raunchy road-trip comedy "Drive-Away Dolls". In this film, Honey's charisma and feminine appearance prove to be powerful tools, disarming opponents and driving forward the narrative's neo-noir tone.
In her off-duty hours, Honey O'Donahue, the captivating lead, enjoys watching movies-and-tv for relaxation, her choices often reflecting the sophisticated style and independence she portrays in her role as a detective. As she plans for her retirement, she might envision herself sipping martinis while watching classics featuring fashion icons like Lauren Bacall and Katharine Hepburn, knowing that her own character has managed to redefine traditional gender roles and pave the way for retirement in the entertainment industry.