Honey Don't!

Few critics would accuse Joel and Ethan Coen of making disposable films, and The Tragedy of Macbeth — Joel's first solo endeavor following the brothers’ post-Hail, Caesar! hiatus — is likewise immune to such labels. But Ethan's two narrative side projects, especially Honey Don't!, play like cinematic junk food by comparison.

While last year’s extremely entertaining Drive-Away Dolls found its groove in a hurry, Ethan's follow-up is tonally all over the place. Early on, as a mystery woman (Lera Abova) picks through the fatal car accident that claimed the life of local girl Mia Novotny, and private investigator Honey O’Donoghue (Margaret Qualley) shows up at the scene a few hours later, Ethan can’t decide if he's making a hard-nosed neo-noir or a wacky comedy.

To paraphrase Jay-Z, “Is it Miller's Crossing or is it Burn After Reading? Is it The Man Who Wasn’t There or Raising Arizona?” While the Coens successfully merged both traditions in No Country for Old Men, Fargo, and other masterpieces, Ethan struggles mightily to synthesize genres here, making one wish the director and his co-writer/editor/wife Tricia Cooke would simply pick a goddamn lane.

The humor thankfully picks up as the plot kicks into gear and the ineptitude of the “criminal empire” run by huckster pastor Rev. Drew (Chris Evans) grows clearer. Though the repercussions of his goons’ actions yields some of the film's most entertaining moments, Honey's serious ways prove an outsized assignment for the typically game Qualley and only a handful of her sarcastic one-liners pierce through the P.I.’s thick armor.

Still, Honey’s tangled investigation of Mia’s death proves a relatively fun diversion, and the film overall generally well-made and -acted, but that tonal indecisiveness renders it a bit too frivolous for its own good. Drive-Away Dolls has its core relationship to ground it, and while Honey Don't! tries to duplicate that dynamic with Honey and local cop MG Falcone (Aubrey Plaza), their bond rings hollow and its ultimate trajectory is difficult to buy.

Full of watered-down versions of classic Coen Brother character types, Ethan's film is a pleasant enough way to spend 90 minutes. Just don't expect anyone to remember much about it come next weekend.

Grade: B-minus. Rated R. Now playing at Carolina Cinemark, the Fine Arts Theatre, and Regal Biltmore Grande.

(Photo: Focus Features)