Matewan (1987)

Directed by John Sayles. Starring Chris Cooper, Will Oldham, Mary McDonnell, James Earl Jones, David Strathairn, Kevin Tighe, Gordon Clapp, Bob Gunton, Ken Jenkins, Nancy Mette, Josh Mostel, Joe Grifasi, Maggie Renzi, Jo Henderson, Jace Alexander. [PG-13]

Compelling drama detailing the clash between unionized workers comprised of different cultural groups (local West Virginia miners, African-Americans, Italian immigrants, etc.) and the ruthless union-busting mining company that refused their demands, resulting in the Battle of Matewan, a key event during the West Virginia coal wars of the early part of the 20th century. A transition for writer/director Sayles towards more mainstream (but no less personal and idiosyncratic) filmmaking fare, but it’s so beautifully measured in its writing and visual presentation, earnest and heartfelt and stoking an emotional association with its underdog resisters, that there’s never once a case to be made that the guy “done gone commercial.” The detailed and richly-textured production values serve as an evocative backdrop for several fine performances, including Jones as a proud and passionate worker newly arrived in town and Tighe as one of the oily, sadistic agents dispatched to break the worker strikes (with violence if needed). The dark, earthy tones of Haskell Wexler’s photography captures a vivid sense of period and location; one can almost taste the dampness of the outdoors, the coal dust under the ground, etc. Film debut for Cooper as a labor organizer, and also a rare major acting role for future singer-songwriter Oldham (better known as Bonnie “Prince” Billy) as a young budding preacher whose sermons carry no shortage of metaphors and parallels to the plight of the working class.

89/100