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	Passion Fish Brett Ardoin, Lenore Banks Sony Pictures, 1998 average customer review:based on 26 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

The chemistry between Mary McDonnell and Alfre Woodruff is incredible. Both play women trying to deal with their pasts and the difficulties of going forward; women who are dependent on each other and do not want to be. But life has forced both of them into this circumstance in the bayou country of Louisiana, an area not of either's choosing.

The entire movie was well-acted and filmed...it was just a great viewing experience.I especially liked the way that May Alice was depicted interacting with all of the people in her past life.

The scenery in Louisiana was gorgeous and the music was an extra-added treat.

Worth viewing--several times!

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Louisiana captured in this brilliant, emotional film

I am a native New Yorker and I have been following Sayles, who is a New Jersey boy, since Baby It's You. About 12 years ago, I moved to New Orleans. Imagine my shock when Sayles, Jersey boy, managed to capture the unique, evocative atmosphere of Western Louisiana to perfection. There has been enough said about the plot (read a few other reviews), but the true genius of Sayles is the way he observes all the subtle elements of the culture he is filming about and uses them, sparingly, to give the viewer an absolute non-cliched portrait of, in this case, Louisiana. And, of course, since Sayles approaches film like a writer approaches the short story, the film is full of tropes and visual metaphor (May Alice, bound in a wheel chair is always wearing stripes that look like jail house clothing; the deeply moving and beautiful night journey through the bayou, where May Alica takes a spiritual passage of sorts, from darkness to light...). This is a perfect little film and it grieves me terribly that the film establishment hands out awards to movie "stars" versus "actors" and more or less ignores Sayles's beautiful work. His films work on so many levels: artistically, emotionally, intellectually, that I would say he is our best American director and script writer still living. If you view this movie, or any of Sayles stuff (Limbo and Mew with Guns are two astounding films) you will enriched beyond measure.

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Powerful film and, yes, uplifting

Another finely crafted character study from writer/director John Sayles. Soap opera actress, May-Alice Culhane (Mary McDonnell), is paralyzed as the result of an auto accident and returns from NY to the family homestead in Louisiana. There she struggles with her affliction and quickly runs through a succession of nameless personal assistants until Chantelle (Alfre Woodard) arrives, trouble in her past and hope in her heart. The bond of friendship that grows between the women transforms each of them. Thoughtful, well acted, poignant. Great Cajun soundtrack, too!

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A compelling, non-syrup drama.

With great acting, superb writing, and well developed characters, this movie is an overlooked gem. It's refreshing to find a drama that is not overly sentimental and that balances fine performances. The music is lively and, combined with the cinematography, leave the viewer with a real taste of what life in rural Louisiana might be like. The movie, much like its setting, moves at a leisurely pace.


Great film!

Very empowering movie - one that will hold the interest of everyone.
Comfortable or tension filled, the interaction between various "damaged" charactors is marvelous and so believable!
Even the water played it's part beautifully.

David Strathairn brings to life a genuine "down home" gentleman in his easy portrayl of the swamp wise Cajun(coon ass)/handiman! He is the unsung hero in this film!

Absence of vulgarity is very commenable! Thank you John Sayles!
Remarkable music deserves much better soundtrack quality.

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reviews: 1, 2, page 3, 4, 5, 6

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