Matewan

Rating:
Summary: Heroic.
Review: 'Matewan' reeks of authentic American History. We are so used to a certain, triumphalist, distorted version of 'America' transmitted throughout the globe, it's refreshing to be reminded that there are other Americas, other communities, other histories - some deeply shameful, some quietly inspiring. In telling the violent, unmythic Western story of corporate greed, violence and murder against labour poverty and resistance, John Sayles seems to bring, as the cliche says, a sepia photograph to life. From the creak of the frame buildings to the dank, dangerous mines; from the accents and idioms of dialect to various national laments and protest songs; from worn costumes to significant decor - everything in this film bypasses the museum mummifying of the period film, and feels lived in, real, the way it must have been.

Of course, this is a carefully crafted illusion that becomes increasingly apparent as the film continues. Imposed on this meticulous atmosphere and re-embodiment is a characteristically didactic and contrived Sayles script. The bad guys are simply vicious; the good guy is a saint too impotently good to live in such an America; the workers have the dignity of being flawed and complex. The film is full of Ken Loach-like political speeches (at least Sayles humorously acknowledges this by himself playing a hellfire, reactionary preacher), and some of the intercutting (e.g. between a prayer meeting and a union meeting; like Pasonlini, Sayles taps into the radical, proto-socialist impulses behind Christ's teachings) is hardly subtle. Some of the plot developments - including a misplaced love-letter, a false accusation of rape and eavesdropping in a cupboard - are the cliches of Victorian melodrama.

That none of this detracts from the power of 'Matewan' is due to the sensitvity of Haskell Wexler's cinematography; the solemn dignity of the acting; the savage indignation that went into the making of the film; and the brave refusal to dilute the stern politics with a trite love story. More a liberal than a left-wing polemic, much of the film's brilliance lies in the way the period story reflects on Reagan's America - the hypocrisy of a conservatism trumpeting family values while allowing an unchecked capitalism that destroys those families; the glorification of selfishness at the expense of communities; institutional racism; the excessive war-mongering to deflect domestic problems, and the centrality of a gun culture - without once destroying its integrity.

Rating:
Summary: Unique!!
Review: A rare film experience. Mr. Sayles pull's out all stops and comes up with a sincere depiction of the " coal war" as it was in West Virginia.

Have you ever seen a film that was photographed in color but seems to be in sepia or even black and white. This is the Wexler magic and what it can do to enhance the story.

" Mom said that Joe Kenihan would always leave...but he is here with us always up here in these West Virginia Hills."

Rating:
Summary: moving
Review: Amazing film detailing the plight of the many against the few. Well acted and directed should be required watching for high schools in my opinion. I have not gotten emotionally involved in movie the same way i did in "Matewan". Up your social consience view this film.

Rating:
Summary: An accurate depiction
Review: Both of my grandfathers were coal miners in the days before the unions. My mother was raised in a coal camp, where the men were paid in company scrip only good in the company store. So I have a deep connection with this film. Not only is it a brilliant and riveting movie, it depicts the truth of Appalachia in a way few films have even neared. And the Appalachian dialect, so often hacked to pieces by the ignorant, is done to perfection. It is rare for me to hear an Appalachian accent that doesn't outright offend me, but this film is flawless in that respect.

Rating:
Summary: Great movie, poor sound quality
Review: Contrary to the 'official' movie reviewers articles, the events portrayed in the movie actually occurred, and indirectly led to the biggest insurrection in the US since the Civil War. While many of the characters are composites, and some dramatic licence is taken, the movie seems to stay close to the actual facts of what occurred in Matewan in May of 1920.

The movie is great - I purchased it last night having never seen it before, and I'm glad I did. This is certainly not the kind of movie you'll see on the TV networks (except perhaps Bravo), as it represents a viewpoint that might not be acceptable to the typical corporate executive. Since it's so unlikely that you'll find this film on TV, I urge anyone who is interested in the history of US labor (or generally in early 20th century US history) to buy this movie - you won't be disappointed.

One caveat though: the characters in the movie often speak with a strong West Virginia accent. This is not a problem in itself, but the VHS version's soundtrack is very badly deteriorated. As a result, some of the dialogue is hard to understand (I had to replay a few parts of the movie just to get a basic idea of what the characters were saying). I urge those who are interested in purchasing this movie to perhaps wait for the (hopefully) soon to be released DVD version, which might have better sound quality.

Rating:
Summary: If everyone watched this movie, they would understand us.
Review: Depicts the struggles and exploitation of the Appalachian people. I am damned proud to say that these are MY PEOPLE! There are none tougher, more sincere or prouder. I was born and raised in southern West Virginia and no matter where I go, I will always be a Mountaineer.

Rating:
Summary: Little known factoid!
Review: Didja know that the role of the young preacher is played by Will Oldham, who later went onto to (modest) fame and (little) fortune as the leader of the bands Palace, Palace Brothers, Palace Music and Palace Songs? True. Oldham currently records under the name Bonnie Prince Billie. Oh, and the movie was pretty great.

Rating:
Summary: The Union makes us strong!
Review: Everyone who loves and appreciates movies should revere Sayles as the most coherent, consistent and independent voice of American cinema. Through a succession of truly great and criminally unrecognised films (Brother from Another Planet; Return of the Secaucus Seven; Eight Men Out; Lone Star) Sayles powerfully projects the earthy, progressive and - yes - left-wing convictions that once informed the views of the majority of ordinary American working men and women. The cinema of Sayles is somewhat like the music of Woody Guthrie - grounded in the views and experience of ordinary people, tinged with melancholy, yet coupled to a vision of a better America. At a time when even an enjoyable popcorn movie like Gladiator is confused as progressive filmmaking, Sayles' movies are the perfect reminder that there is still a REAL cinema of commitment in much the same way that somewhere in the midst and to the left of the Democratic Party there is still a REAL progressive movement. Like his English counterpart Ken Loach, Sayles chooses not to shy away from progressive presumptions in his storytelling - and the resulting integrity of his work accordingly demands respect no matter what your political viewpoint. Amongst his illustrious films, Matewan towers above all as Sayles' magnificent and epic signature film. Telling the heroic and tragic tale of the Virginia coalminers' strike, Sayles sides squarely and refreshingly (for an American film) with the striking workers. As with Eight Men Out (the story of the 1919 Chicago White Sox World Series scam), his view of the interests, needs and sentiments of owners is unrelentingly unsympathetic and scathing as he reveals them for what they were: ruthless, greedy robber-barons who built their fortune on the sweat and backs of American labour. But the quality and depth of Sayles' understanding of strike dynamics allows him to avoid the potential counter-pitfall of romanticizing union solidarity. Instead, he reveals with great frankness the racism, suspicion, manipulation, violence and treachery that oftentimes see workers self-destruct their own cause. The manipulated role of religion, church and authority does not escape Sayles' penetrating gaze either as he reminds us of uncomfortable truths in the history of class struggle in the US. Chris Cooper is SUPERB as the union organizer sent South to unionise the striking miners. Sayles regulars Mary McDonnell and David Strathairn provide strong support. Strathairn - as the laconic six-gun toting local Sheriff - is particularly rousing in his role as ultimate protector of the mining community. But before you think this movie is some long, boring, red flag waving political lecture, let me give you the good news quickly. THIS MOVIE ROCKS! Sayles' decision to play it like a Western is inspired - and it delivers in terms of every aspect of expectation in this regard (including, yes, the High Noon-style showdown). Riveting, violent and riddled with intrigue, this is a film that would not be out of place next to The Wild Bunch or Shane in your collection. That it also delivers powerful food for thought and that its heart - and head - is in the right place, will make it possibly the best movie in your collection that no one's ever heard of. It's easily in my Top Ten list of all-time great movies.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent docu-drama
Review: Excellent cinematography - compelling story. I feel that David Strathairn's portrayal of Sid Hatfield was masterful. Climatic ending. Well worth buying.

Rating:
Summary: Compelling Tale of the Working Man's Struggle to Triumph
Review: Five stars is a meager rating for this honest and compelling film. Matewan is a cinematic triumph, unparalleled in many catagories. If you want a true portrait of the harrowing struggle of the working man to overcome adversity, this film gives you incomparable insight. Whne you have lived through labor struggles it carries even more weight. MUST SEE FILM. Matewan should be required viewing in every US history class in America. Top Ten film of all time. I also recommend the film "Coal Miners Daughter", the story of Loretta Lynn.