Themes: Servants and Employers, Living With Disability, Unlikely Friendships
Main Cast: Mary McDonnell, Alfre Woodard, David Strathairn, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Nora Dunn
Release Year: 1992
Country: US
Run Time: 136 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
With his trademark emphasis on character development and dialogue, writer/director John Sayles tells the story of May-Alice Culhane (Mary McDonnell), a New York soap opera actress left paralyzed by a car accident. As the film opens, she lies in a hospital bed, confused and scared, watching her own show on TV and shrieking, "That was supposed to be my closeup!" With no other options, she returns to her family's old and empty Southern home, where she drinks hard, offends every caregiver, and wallows in self-pity. Her outlook begins to changes with the arrival of Chantelle (Alfre Woodard), a nurse with her own life problems. The two gradually find a heartfelt connection with one another, and, as a result, their lives subtly change. McDonnell's work in Passion Fish earned her an Oscar nomination as Best Actress. ~ Norm Schrager, All Movie Guide
Review
Character and dialogue are the driving forces in writer-director John Sayles's movies. In Passion Fish, Sayles delivers a quality screenplay, and Mary McDonnell and Alfre Woodard do his script justice with some of the most accomplished work of their careers. McDonnell -- who also stood out in the director's Matewan -- brings surprising originality to the role of the haggard, self-pitying accident victim, and Woodard never becomes a stereotypical provider of "tough love." Vondie Curtis-Hall and Sayles regular David Strathairn offer colorful supporting turns. Passion Fish was the director's simplest, most elegant work since his second feature, 1983's Lianna. McDonnell and Sayles would be nominated for Academy Awards, and Sayles would also be nominated for his screenplay. ~ Brendon Hanley, All Movie Guide
Sheila Kelley - Kim; Angela Bassett - Dawn/Rhonda; Leo Burmeister - Reeves; Mary Portser - Precious; Shauntisa Willis - Denita; Michael Laskin - Redwood Vance; Brett Ardoin - 2nd Therapist; Lenore Banks - Nurse Quick; Chuck Cain - Attendant; Amanda Carlin - Perky; Linda Castle - Lawanda; Daniel Dupont - Therapist; Victoria Edwards - Jessica; Jennifer Gardner - Albertine; Lee Anne Harris - Kit; Paula Lafleur - Fan #2; William Mahoney - Max; Michael Mantell - Dr. Kline; Nancy Mette - Nina; Marianne Muellerleile - Drushka; ShanaLedet Qualls - 1st Fan; Nelle Stokes - 1st Therapist; Elaine West - Phoebe; Maggie Renzi - Louise; Tom Wright - Luther; Barbara Hewson Shapiro; John Henry Redwood - Dr. Blades
Credit
Cynthia Flynt - Costume Designer, Steve Apicella - First Assistant Director, John Sayles - Director, John Sayles - Editor, John Sloss - Executive Producer, Mason K. Daring - Composer (Music Score), Michael Bigger - Makeup, Dan Bishop - Production Designer, Dianna Freas - Production Designer, Roger Deakins - Cinematographer, Georgia Kacandes - Production Manager, Sarah Green - Producer, Maggie Renzi - Producer, John Sayles - Screenwriter
It tells the story of a soap opera star, paralyzed after being struck by a taxi, who is forced to return to her family home and rely upon a series of nurses, forcing each of them to leave her employ until one shows up guaranteed to stay.
May-Alice Culhane, a New York daytime soap opera actress, is left paralyzed after an accident on her way to getting her legs waxed, which she finds ironic. As the film opens, she lies in a hospital bed, confused and scared, watching her own show on TV and shrieking, "That was supposed to be my close-up!"
With no other options, she returns to her family's old and empty home in Louisiana, where she drinks hard, offends every caregiver and wallows in self-pity.
Her outlook begins to change with the arrival of Chantelle, a nurse with her own life problems. The two gradually find a heartfelt connection with each other, and as a result, their lives subtly change.
Academy Awards: Oscar; Best Actress in a Leading Role, Mary McDonnell; Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, John Sayles; 1993.
Golden Globes: Golden Globe;Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama, Mary McDonnell; Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, Alfre Woodard; 1993.
Independent Spirit Awards: Independent Spirit Award; Best Supporting Male, David Strathairn; 1993.
