Passion Fish (1992)

After an accident leaves her a paraplegic, a former soap opera star struggles to recover both emotionally and mentally, until she meets her newest nurse, who has struggles of her own.

Director:

John Sayles

Writer:

John Sayles

Stars:

Mary McDonnell, Alfre Woodard, Angela Bassett

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mary McDonnell	...	May-Alice Culhane
Angela Bassett	...	Rhonda / Dawn
Lenore Banks	...	Nurse Quick
Will Mahoney	...	Max
Nelle Stokes	...	Therapist #1
Brett Ardoin	...	Therapist #2
Michael Mantell	...	Dr. Kline
Daniel Dupont	...	Therapist #3
Chuck Cain	...	Attendant
Shana Ledet Qualls	...	Fan #1
Paula Lafleur	...	Fan #2
Maggie Renzi	...	Louise
Marianne Muellerleile	...	Drushka
Victoria Edwards	...	Jessica
Amanda Carlin	...	Perky

Storyline

May-Alice Culhane was a successful soap opera star, but a car accident has left her bound to a wheelchair. She returns to her now-empty family home in the bayous of Louisiana which she had eagerly left years before. She drinks heavily and vents her bitterness on the succession of nurses who are hired to take care of her and immediately quit because she is so unbearable. Chantelle is the latest of these nurses, and May-Alice is told that Chantelle is the last nurse she'll get. Chantelle for reasons of her own, is also in a position where she badly needs the job to work out. The movie focuses on how these two women become friends and help each other heal emotionally.

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Plot Keywords:

louisiana | bayou | physical therapy | homecare nurse | paraplegic | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Sayles performed a number of roles on this picture. Sayles was sole writer, the editor, an actor in an uncredited cameo, and the director.

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

[first lines]
Scarlet: [seeing herself in the soap opera] It felt so strange. All I remember is that I wasn't happy. Was I?

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Falling Down/The Temp/Army of Darkness (1993)

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Soundtracks

Poor Man Two Step
Written by John Delafose
Happy Valley Music, Inc./BMI
Performed by John Delafose and The Eunice Playboys

User Reviews

Excellent

Writer/Director John Sayles' 1992 outing tells the tale of a soap opera star (Mary McDonell), who's been in a car accident, and is now wheelchair bound, and her unlikely friendship with her live-in nurse (Alfre Woodard). Excellent supporting roles from the great David Strathairn (A Sayles fave, star of Limbo), Vondie Curtis-Hall (who went on to direct Gridlock'd), and Angela Bassett. I gotta say this. Sayles always writes believable characters, and his dialogue is amongst the best in filmdom. I knew my wife would like this, which was my main motivation for renting it. I'd seen it before, but had forgotten just how good it is. McDonell garnered a well-deserved Oscar nomination for her role in this largely overlooked gem. 4 (of 5) stars on this one.

Details

Official Sites:

Miramax

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 December 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Louisiana Project

Filming Locations:

Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,330,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,385, 13 December 1992

Gross USA:

$4,814,619

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,814,619

Company Credits

Production Co:

Atchafalaya

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (DuArt)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1