Passion Fish (1992)

Director:

John Sayles

Writer (WGA):

John Sayles (written by)

Release Date:

11 December 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

May-Alice Culhane was a successful soap opera star, but a car accident has left her bound to a wheelchair...

Plot Keywords:

Louisiana | Accident | Actress | Soap Opera | Bayou

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Mary McDonnell	...	May-Alice Culhane
Alfre Woodard	...	Chantelle
Lenore Banks	...	Nurse Quick
Vondie Curtis-Hall	...	Sugar LeDoux
Will Mahoney	...	Max
David Strathairn	...	Rennie
Leo Burmester	...	Reeves
Nelle Stokes	...	Therapist #1
Brett Ardoin	...	Therapist #2
Nora Dunn	...	Ti-Marie
Michael Mantell	...	Dr. Kline
Mary Portser	...	Precious
Angela Bassett	...	Dawn / Rhonda
Daniel Dupont	...	Therapist #3
Chuck Cain	...	Attendant

Runtime:

135 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DuArt)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Singapore:PG | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:S | Peru:14 | South Korea:12 (DVD rating) | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Elton, Louisiana, USA

Company:

Atchafalaya

Trivia:

'Mary McDonnell' prepared for her role as the wheelchair-bound May-Alice by attending physical training and hospital sessions with counselors and real paraplegics. She had to do this while she was concurrently filming Sneakers (1992).

Goofs:

Continuity: Rennie's bass turned into a catfish when he opened it up for the passion fish.

Quotes:

Louise: You eat now.
May-Alice Culhane: What exactly is that?
Louise: Kascha. Big fiber. It's good for stool.
May-Alice Culhane: Yes. It looks like it has something to do with that.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Grosse Pointe: Passion Fish (#1.16)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Attack Of The Mutant Guitars

A Beautiful Film

John Sayles is a truly brilliant filmmaker. This film combines great story writing with precise interpersonal direction. Both Mary McDonnel and Alfre Woodard deliver characters who develop clearly throughout the story. Mr. Sayles' depiction of Cajun culture as it crosses with Yankee cultures is really quite impressive. Although the screenplay leans towards sentimentality, it never becomes trite as so many interpersonal dramas have a tendency to do. Sayle's scathing commentary on the self-centeredness of mainstream American culture through his depiction of people associated with daytime drama while avoiding any negative commentary on southern culture is refreshing and a pleasure to watch.