The compelling new movie from legendary independent filmmaker John
Sayles dramatizes the birth of rock ‘n’ roll through the intimate lens
of an African-American community in rural Alabama in 1950. Danny
Glover stars
as Tyrone “Pinetop” Purvis, the debt-ridden proprietor of a juke
joint who has one more chance to save his beloved Honeydripper Lounge. Supported
by his associate Maceo (Charles S. Dutton), Tyrone books hot radio star Guitar
Sam to play the club, while various interests, including the casually racist
Sheriff Pugh (Stacy Keach), threaten to bring his modest establishment down
before that fateful night comes. Meanwhile, a young man named Sonny Blake (Gary
Clark Jr.) drifts into town with a guitar case, and the little town of Harmony,
Alabama will never be the same. Graced with a musical soundtrack rich in blues
and seminal rock, Honeydripper clearly observes the realities of the
Jim Crow south while immersing us in a warm and vital culture. Rated PG-13.
With Lisa Gay Hamilton, Mary Steenburgen, Yaya DaCosta,
Sean Patrick Thomas, Keb’ Mo’, Dr. Mable John. Music: Mason Daring.
Camera: Dick Pope. Producer: Maggie Renzi. Writer/Editor/Director: John Sayles. (US 2007) 123
min.
The compelling new movie from legendary independent filmmaker John
Sayles dramatizes the birth of rock ‘n’ roll through the intimate lens
of an African-American community in rural Alabama in 1950. Danny
Glover stars
as Tyrone “Pinetop” Purvis, the debt-ridden proprietor of a juke
joint who has one more chance to save his beloved Honeydripper Lounge. Supported
by his associate Maceo (Charles S. Dutton), Tyrone books hot radio star Guitar
Sam to play the club, while various interests, including the casually racist
Sheriff Pugh (Stacy Keach), threaten to bring his modest establishment down
before that fateful night comes. Meanwhile, a young man named Sonny Blake (Gary
Clark Jr.) drifts into town with a guitar case, and the little town of Harmony,
Alabama will never be the same. Graced with a musical soundtrack rich in blues
and seminal rock, Honeydripper clearly observes the realities of the
Jim Crow south while immersing us in a warm and vital culture. Rated PG-13.
With Lisa Gay Hamilton, Mary Steenburgen, Yaya DaCosta,
Sean Patrick Thomas, Keb’ Mo’, Dr. Mable John. Music: Mason Daring.
Camera: Dick Pope. Producer: Maggie Renzi. Writer/Editor/Director: John Sayles. (US 2007) 123
min.
