Legendary filmmaker John Sayles uses the rhythms of the citizens of Harmony, Alabama to immerse the audience into the world of the Jim Crow south.
It’s 1950 and it’s a make or break weekend for Tyrone Purvis (Danny Glover), the proprietor of the Honeydripper Lounge. Deep in debt, Tyrone is desperate to bring back the crowds that used to come to his place. He bids to save his beloved blues bar by throwing everything into a Saturday night extravaganza starring local legend, Guitar Sam. When Sam doesn’t show, Pine Top is forced to up the ante by replacing him with youngster who’s just rolled into town (musician Gary Clark Jr.).
Set at the moment a town witnesses the blues transform into rock ‘n’ roll, the ever-mercurial Sayles’s latest is a witty, optimistic hymn to change, its excellent ensemble cast (including Lisa Gay Hamilton as Pine Top’s god-fearing wife and newcomer Yaya DaCosta) creating a vibrant community feel.
“This movie is rich with characters and flowing with music.”
Roger Ebert
Dir. John Sayles - 2007 – USA - 122 mins - Cert PG - Axiom Films
