Honey (2003)

"It's a hokey heart-warmer that works.  J.R. Jones, Chicago Reader
"A decidedly upbeat number, centered on a good-hearted character.  Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter

Editor's Note With a plethora of flashy cameos by artists Missy Elliot, Tweet, Ginuwine, Jadakiss, and Sheek, HONEY feels like an extended hip-hop video with an inspiring, socially conscious message about ambition and the bittersweet taste of success. New York City dancer-choreographer Honey Daniels (Jessica Alba, of TV's DARK ANGEL) hopes her talent will soon be recognized, but for now she's working three odd jobs: clerk in a record store, dance teacher at the local youth center, and bartender in a Manhattan dance club. Hot director of music videos Michael Ellis (David Moscow, JUST MARRIED, BIG) spots an amateur video of Honey cutting a rug after work, and gives her a shot at the big time when he asks her to choreograph videos for Ginuwine and Tweet. Just as the big checks start rolling in, Honey gets a nasty dose of reality when she rebuffs the director's sexual advances and is blackballed by the industry. Honey throws herself back into her community work with a vengeance and helps two of her most talented students Benny (Lil' Romeo) and Raymond (Zachary Isaiah Williams) stay out of the hands of local drug dealers. HONEY is a 21st-century version of FLASHDANCE or FAME--an infinitely entertaining urban dance movie that gets viewers' feet tapping with high-energy choreography and strings of catchy, cutting-edge tunes.

	David Moscow
	Jessica Alba
	Joy Bryant
	Lil' Romeo
	Mekhi Phifer
	Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott
	Zachary Williams
	Alonzo Brown - Screenplay
	Andre Harrell - Producer
	Bille Woodruff - Director
	John R. Leonetti - Cinematographer
	Kim Watson - Screenplay
	Marc E. Platt - Producer
	Mark Helfrich - Editor

Entertainment Weekly
"...Jessica Alba goes from Dark Angel to street angel, flashing a beatific smile..." 12/12/2003 p.59

New York Times
"...[A]n upbeat little hip-hop fable....The kinetic energy of the music keeps this picture moving." 12/05/2003 p.E31

Chicago Sun-Times
"Jessica Alba is a charmer." 03/19/2004 p.28

Total Film
"[W]ith two big assets: the awesomely fit Alba and non-stop dancing that will have even the most curmudgeonly jigging in their seats." 04/01/2004 p.36

Sight and Sound
"The film's best moments come in a scene-stealing cameo form hip hop star Missy Elliott..." 04/01/2004 p.54

The New York Times 7 of 10
Honey brings out the wholesome, affirmative side of the hip-hop aesthetic without being overl - A.O. Scott

Chicago Sun-Times 7 of 10
A movie like Honey is aimed at younger teenagers, who may not precisely be students of Mickey - Roger Ebert