Indie # 10 - Passion Fish
Indie # 10 is “Passion Fish” written/directed by John Sayles. Starring Mary McDonnell, Alfre Woodard, and David Strathairn.
There are 2 types of people in the world. Those who like John Sayles films, and those who don’t. I typically like the powerful statements he makes about the world, life, and humanity within the last 10 minutes of each of his movies. But getting to those last 10 minutes is sometimes challenging for me. Passion Fish is one where I am captivated for the duration.
Set in small bayou towns in Louisiana, this is the story of a soap actress who becomes paralyzed from the waist down, and is bound to a wheelchair for life. Spending her days letting the TV glaze over her, and pouring enough wine in her body to set her afloat, she drives away the first several home care nurses sent out to care for her. It’s only when Alfre Woodard shows up that each will bring about a way to cope with the other.
1. This film is set in Louisiana, and we see plenty of oak trees adorned with dangling Spanish moss. Even though I’m not from the bayou areas, I love the scenery and Louisiana water landscapes in this film.
2. Great Louisiana Zydeco music, without the fake accents and overdone effects of many Louisiana-set films.
3. I love all the actors in this film. Although I was surprised (and a bit disheartened) to learn that the bayou legend origin of the “Passion Fish” was completely made up, and has no Louisiana legend truth in it.
4. Movies where characters meet and bring about change in the other (without explosions, nudity or aliens showing up) are my favorite ones.
Since we’re at # 10 on the Indie List, I’m going to occasionally list another Indie but will change the subject of the blogs for a few weeks.
