Sayles has, for nearly thirty years, stood as a model for how an independent filmmaker can work in the US by raising his own money and maintaining complete artistic freedom. He has never produced a bad film, has had a number of mediocre ones (Silver City, City of Hope), several a notch or two below excellent (Lianna, Men With Guns, Baby its You) and three which stand among the very best films made here...Matewan, Lone Star and this one.
Passion Fish is a rarity...an intelligent, well-written film in which the two main characters are women. Each is burdened with serious problems which are faced and dealt with during the course of their developing relationship. The delta landscape and culture of Louisiana add some nice spice to this gumbo. In particular, David Straithairn's swamp cajun and Curtis Vondie-Hall's southern cowboy character tickled me with their exotic appeal.
The pace here was unhurried but after two hours I realized just how far Sayles had taken us. It's a good example of what can be done with intelligence, maturity and not much money.
I didn't ask for the anal probe.
Indeed.
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