A Disappointing Detour: Ethan Coen's 'Honey Don't!' Falls Flat

Ethan Coen, one half of the legendary filmmaking duo, ventures solo once more with "Honey Don't!", a film that sadly feels less like a confident stride and more like a bewildered stumble. Hailed as a return to the zany, screwball energy of earlier Coen Brothers classics, this noir-infused road trip comedy starring Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans, and Margaret Qualley, regrettably fails to find its comedic footing or narrative purpose, leaving audiences scratching their heads rather than holding their sides.

The premise, on paper, has a certain Coen-esque charm.

Plaza plays Honey, a collection agency representative with an almost unsettling deadpan. Her latest target is Darrel (Chris Evans), a charismatic, if not entirely convincing, former cult leader. What begins as a professional confrontation quickly spirals into an improbable romance, culminating in the pair hitting the road as unlikely fugitives.

Add to this volatile mix Margaret Qualley in a dual role as Darrel’s wife, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Honey, and you have the ingredients for a truly chaotic, darkly humorous romp. Or so it should be.

Instead, "Honey Don't!" is a baffling exercise in comedic futility. The film attempts to channel the anarchic spirit of "Raising Arizona" or the cynical bite of "Burn After Reading," but its jokes consistently fall flat.

The dialogue, typically a sharp, witty cornerstone of Coen films, here feels strangely inert and uninspired. Every punchline seems to land with a dull thud, and the repetitive gags quickly become tiresome rather than amusing. It’s a comedy that simply isn't funny, a cardinal sin for a genre film.

The talented cast, usually a beacon of charisma, appears adrift.

Aubrey Plaza, whose signature deadpan and sardonic wit have defined her career, feels strangely muted and underserved. Her performance, while consistent with her style, struggles to elevate the uninspired material. Chris Evans, attempting a more unconventional, shifty role, seems miscast, unable to inject his character with the necessary blend of charm and menace.

Margaret Qualley, despite tackling two roles, isn't given enough material to truly shine, leaving both characters feeling like underdeveloped plot devices.

The film's pacing is another significant issue. What should be a rollicking, fast-paced escapade often drags, feeling more like an interminable student film than the work of a seasoned master.

Scenes overstay their welcome, plot points meander, and the overall narrative lacks the precision and tautness expected from a Coen production. The bizarre twists feel more forced than organic, leading to a sense of disengagement rather than delightful surprise.

"Honey Don't!" ultimately emerges as a peculiar cinematic misfire, a film that feels less like a creative expansion and more like a discarded early draft.

While one might commend Ethan Coen for exploring new territory, this particular solo venture struggles to find its voice, its humor, or its purpose. It's a film that leaves you not with laughter or thought-provoking intrigue, but with a lingering sense of bewilderment and disappointment. Fans hoping for the signature Coen magic will likely find themselves wishing they'd stayed home.