Iconoclastically independent writer-director John Sayles' Honeydripper—his best since Lone Star—is set in a small southern town at the beginning of the 1950s, where one-time honky-tonk piano player Tyrone Purvis (Danny Glover) is struggling to survive as proprietor of a rundown roadhouse, the Honeydripper Lounge. To lure back the crowds that have drifted away to a rival club that has a jukebox, Purvis books a big-city celebrity named Guitar Sam and also cons the liquor delivery man out of booze intended for his competitor's shelves, all with the intention of making enough money from the evening to settle his debts. But when Sam fails to show up for the gig, Purvis is forced to pass off a vagrant musician as the star. This being a John Sayles film, Honeydripper carries a sociopolitical subtext regarding the waning days of the segregated south (as well as a cultural aspect in its look at the evolution of musical styles there), but this is really more of a fable (a blind street player periodically appears to offer pithy observations and bits of advice) about a close-knit community. The title is just right: Honeydripper is a sweet film that incrementally warmis the viewer's heart. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director John Sayles, a 27-minute behind-the-scenes featurette, and interviews with Sayles (6 min.), costars Charles S. Dutton (5 min.) and Danny Glover (4 min.), and producer Maggie Renzi (4 min.). Bottom line: a fine extras package for a wonderful film.] (F. Swietek)
Honeydripper
Universal, 103 min., PG-13, DVD: $27.99, June 24 Volume 23, Issue 3
Honeydripper
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