Honeydripper

Play trailer

2:15

Honeydripper

PG-13

Released Feb 1, 2008

2h 3m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

86 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Faced with mounting debts and stiff competition from a rival nightclub and its newfangled jukebox, small-town Alabama club owner Tyrone Purvis (Danny Glover) and his partner Maceo (Charles S. Dutton) book rhythm-and-blues star Guitar Sam to save their failing venue, the Honeydripper. But when Sam doesn't show up on the appointed day, Tyrone must resort to increasingly desperate measures in his struggle to secure a last-minute replacement and keep the Honeydripper from closing its doors.

Critics Consensus

Honeydripper's electric musical numbers and sharp performances make for an exciting film, despite its slow pace.

Read Critics Reviews

Michael Phillips

Chicago Tribune

While this may not be the rowdiest birth-of-rock-'n'-roll film ever made -- it's very likely the least rowdy -- Sayles addresses a transitional moment in his own patient, precise way.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 18, 2008

Full Review

Amy Biancolli

Houston Chronicle

It survives on its versatile leads, its smoky cinematography (courtesy of Dick Pope) and its seductive musical performances, which run from gospel to jazz to blues to the to the electrifying kick-start of early rock 'n' roll.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 7, 2008

Full Review

Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

Even more than the music in this musically rich picture, the great pleasure of Honeydripper is in watching Danny Glover as Tyrone Purvis, the club owner.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 29, 2008

Full Review

Nikhat Kazmi

The Times of India

Like a rich and fading tapestry, the film successfully manages to create a lost world, a lost time.

Feb 28, 2020

Full Review

PJ Nabarro

Patrick Nabarro

An endearing and heartfelt elegy to the subtle changes taking place to a small Alabama community in the early 1950s.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 23, 2019

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

An engaging and inspirational tale... handled with graceful understatement.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 27, 2008

Full Review

Read all reviews

Georgan G

Music and acting are great in this musical drama. However, the pace is way too slow.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/19/24

Full Review

Frank S

GREAT BLUES MUSIC. No autotune or computer apps required for this sound. And the story is good too.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Solid, winsome, nicely atmospheric pic depicting the early days of rock and roll. Some decent into pure farce is muted by a stellar cast and some decent music, that does just enough to keep everyone engaged. Worth watching for the opening shot, which rolls out stunning exposition with barely a word uttered: kids, barefoot, dummy instruments, dust, railroad, woods, ambition. Music as a way out, music as an expression of pride.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Yes, it's a trifle slow, but that allows time for character development and the music.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Despite a charismatic cast and good music, Honeydripper feels dull and lifeless.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The performances are great but the pacing is off.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

John Sayles

Director

Danny Glover

Tyrone Purvis

LisaGay Hamilton

Delilah

Yaya DaCosta

China Doll

Charles S. Dutton

Maceo

Vondie Curtis-Hall

Slick

Cassandra's Dream

46%

49%

Cassandra's Dream

Watchlist

Resurrecting the Champ

61%

60%

Resurrecting the Champ

Watchlist

That Evening Sun

81%

76%

That Evening Sun

Watchlist

The Ballad of the Sad Cafe

50%

62%

The Ballad of the Sad Cafe

Watchlist

Million Dollar Baby

90%

90%

Million Dollar Baby

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Honeydripper: Trailer 1

2:15

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Faced with mounting debts and stiff competition from a rival nightclub and its newfangled jukebox, small-town Alabama club owner Tyrone Purvis (Danny Glover) and his partner Maceo (Charles S. Dutton) book rhythm-and-blues star Guitar Sam to save their failing venue, the Honeydripper. But when Sam doesn't show up on the appointed day, Tyrone must resort to increasingly desperate measures in his struggle to secure a last-minute replacement and keep the Honeydripper from closing its doors.

Director: John Sayles
Producer: Maggie Renzi
Screenwriter: John Sayles
Distributor: Emerging Pictures
Production Co: Anarchist's Convention Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Suggestive Material|Brief Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 1, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 9, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $267.9K
Runtime: 2h 3m

Most Popular at Home Now