HONEY

US, 2004, 94 minutes, Colour.
Jessica Alba, Mekhi Phifer, Joy Bryant, Li'l Romeo, David Moscow, Lonette Mc Kee, Zachary Isaiah Williams.
Directed by Bille Woodruff.

Honey is a 21st century incarnation of the old story of 'putting on a show to raise money for...'. Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney did it in the 1940s with Babes on Broadway. The 80s and 90s were especially fond of it with such films as Fame and the Breakdance movies.

This is an African Americans in the South Bronx story. The streets are tough. Jobs are scarce. And hip hop is all the rage. Honey (Jessica Biehl) teaches a class - but can learn some moves from potential criminal (and potential choreographer) Benny - and encourages her neighbours to channel their energy into dance.

Then the impossible happens. She is invited to fulfil her dreams by dancing for a music video director (who is white and later comes on to her appallingly). She gets the chance to shine, to have her children and dancers audition only to be sacked. And that is where the put on a show to raise money to buy a warehouse destined to pulling down that can be a dance school. Which is what happens with help from a sympathetic banker and singer Missy Elliot. And there is room also for a romance with a nice basketball player, Mekhi Phifer. Predictable but actually quite genial.

1. The title, a taste of honey, sweetness, sweetness and light? The character of honey?

2. A hip-hop film, the South Bronx, the dancing, the songs, the rhyming songs, the music video style for the hip-hop dancers, the auditions, rehearsals, the final concert?

3. The South Bronx, the locations, homes, the streets, the warehouse and the dance school, the big studios? The musical score, the range of songs, the dancing?

4. The formulaic nature of the screenplay, Honey and her struggles, the Bronx and the streets, the young kids and the dangers of crime and drugs, the white producer, his advances, the opportunity for the young girl from the Bronx, fulfilling her dreams, the disillusionment, the putting on a show, the success and independence? How enjoyable even if formulaic?

5. Honey, her age, experience, dancer at the nightclub, her skills in choreography, her dreams? Watching music videos? The support of her girlfriend? The suspicion of her father, her mother and the warehouse? Her going to the audition, being chosen by Michael Ellis? The back-up dancing? His impressions, taking her for the choreographer? Her career, success, being seen on TV? Life in the Bronx, her classes, Raymond and his coming, Benny and his sullenness yet his skill in dancing? Her trying to improve Benny's life? The friendship with Chaz, his protecting her, the local drug dealer? Her mother closing the centre? Honey and wanting to buy the property, going to the banks, discussing with the official? The deposit? Her persuading Michael Ellis for the children to be in the video, the party, his insistence on taking her, her not going with her friend - and her friend having to forgive her? His advances, her turning him down, his firing her? The change in the district, the decision to organise the concert, the help from the official at the bank? Her parents coming, the success of the concert, the woman from the bank? The future, Michael Ellis and his blackmailing her to come back, her refusal? Missy Elliott and her wanting Honey as the choreographer, ensuring her future?

6. Honey's mother, background, father? Allowing Honey to be herself, the dancing, choreography, the warehouse? Having to close it down? Their coming to the concert?

7. Raymond, his age, dancing and friendship with Honey? Benny, coming, sullen, moving in and out, his skill at hip-hop, choreography? On the streets, the drug deal, the stealing of the Nike shoes? The arrest, jail, the visit, getting out in time for the concert?

8. Chaz, his place in the neighbourhood, the barber, helping Honey? Talking with her, falling in love, going out? His supporting her?

9. Michael Ellis, celebrity, choosing Honey, the choreography? His attitude towards the dancers, to the previous choreographer? His taking Honey to the party, the advances when drunk, her rejection, his vindictiveness in firing her? The blackmail about giving the money for the centre and her coming back, her refusal?

10. Her friend, Gina, their discussions, support, falling out?

11. The people in the neighbourhood, the people in the class, the leader of the dance and his taking over when Honey was busy? Their being ready to perform for the video, being sacked?

12. The bank, the officials, the buying of the warehouse?

13. The old-fashioned "put on a show" story and its success? The range of artists who appeared as themselves, especially Missy Elliott and Ginuwine?