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Honeydripper

Play trailer 2:15 Poster for Honeydripper PG-13 2008 2h 3m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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68% Tomatometer 85 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 and his partner Maceo 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.

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Honeydripper

Honeydripper

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune Oct 18, 2008
3/4
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. Go to Full Review Amy Biancolli Houston Chronicle Mar 7, 2008
3/4
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. Go to Full Review Mick LaSalle San Francisco Chronicle Feb 29, 2008
3/4
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. Go to Full Review Nikhat Kazmi The Times of India Feb 28, 2020
Like a rich and fading tapestry, the film successfully manages to create a lost world, a lost time. Go to Full Review PJ Nabarro Patrick Nabarro Jul 23, 2019
4/5
An endearing and heartfelt elegy to the subtle changes taking place to a small Alabama community in the early 1950s. Go to Full Review Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com Dec 27, 2008
3/4
An engaging and inspirational tale... handled with graceful understatement. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Claudio C @Claudio666 May 27, 2026 Great Movie (12,472 – 27 May 2026) In 1950, in Harmony, Alabama, Tyrone "Ty" Purvis owns the Honeydripper Bar that he runs with Maceo. His wife is Delilah and his stepdaughter is China Doll. His bar is full of debts and the blues singer Bertha Mae does not attract audiences anymore that prefer the jukebox. of his competitor. Ty feeds the youth Sonny and the corrupt Sheriff Pugh arrests him to work in the cotton plantation of Judge Gatlin. Ty sees the chance to raise some money bringing New Orleans star "Guitar Sam". But he is at the hospital on the scheduled date and Ty plans a scheme. "Honeydripper" (2007) is a great movie by John Sayles that shows a dark age foe black people in the racist USA. The film is delightful for fans of rock and blues, the plot is very well developed, the cinematography is beautiful and the cast is wonderful. The only flaw is the lack of conclusion. My vote is seven. Title (Brazil): "Honeycreeper – Do Blues ao Rock" ("Honeycreeper – From Blues to Rock") See more Georgan G @RT98616417 Oct 19, 2024 Music and acting are great in this musical drama. However, the pace is way too slow. See more Frank S @FRANK389 Jun 5, 2023 GREAT BLUES MUSIC. No autotune or computer apps required for this sound. And the story is good too. See more Jun 3, 2022 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. See more Dec 10, 2019 Yes, it's a trifle slow, but that allows time for character development and the music. See more Jan 26, 2014 Despite a charismatic cast and good music, Honeydripper feels dull and lifeless. See more Read all reviews
Honeydripper

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Cast & Crew

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John Sayles

Director

Danny Glover

Tyrone Purvis

LisaGay Hamilton

Delilah

Yaya DaCosta

China Doll

Charles S. Dutton

Maceo

Vondie Curtis-Hall

Slick

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Honeydripper

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Movie Info

Synopsis Faced with mounting debts and stiff competition from a rival nightclub and its newfangled jukebox, small-town Alabama club owner Tyrone Purvis and his partner Maceo 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
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