Hey, everyone. ”Moriarty” here.

I will consider it an event worth being excited about every single time John Sayles makes a film for the rest of his life. He’s earned that and then some with the filmography he’s already accumulated. I am going to see this the first opportunity I get. There are many films that were shown in Toronto that have me seething with jealousy.

Hi AICN,

I saw the new John Sayles film last night, Honeydripper. Didn't have a clue what the movie was about except that it seemed old-timey and had Danny Glover in it, but it was a pleasant surprise.

Danny plays Pinetop Purvis, owner of a rundown lounge on the outskirts of small-town Harmony, Alabama. The lounge has lost pretty much all of its customers to the more modern spot a few steps away by refusing to play any guitar music in favour of more old-fashioned blues. However, Pinetop is going to lose the Honeydripper if he doesn't bring in any customers so he turns to one, last-ditch effort and decides to bring in current radio star Guitar Sam, transitioning from blues to rock-and-roll.

The film is pretty straightforward as we follow Pinetop around town trying to piece together everything and everyone he needs to pull off a Saturday night that will save the Honeydripper. No major surprises in the story and the movie can feel a bit slow in parts, but the cast and music are phenomenal. I think that everyone in the audience that day walked away with a smile. Everything about the film feels authentic, both place and time (1950s rural South).

The actors all do an awesome job. They play off each other and everyone has room to shine; everyone was so good in different ways. Danny Glover trying to do the right thing even if he does the wrong thing en route. The flirting between Charles S. Dutton and Davenia McFadden. Mary Steenburgen as the well-mannered alcoholic Southern belle. The acting talent is matched by the roster of mind-blowing musicians - the musical performances in the film were shot live and the energy is amazing. The musicians also give really good acting performances, like Keb' Mo' as Possum, a blind guitar player who dispenses advice but vanishes with the blink of an eye and Gary Clark, Jr. - So charming! So sweet! Such kickass guitar playing!

Honeydripper is being released early next year (along with the soundtrack) with NY and LA screenings late this year to qualify it for the Oscars. Definitely worth watching. And if you have a chance to see a performance by the Honeydripper All-Star Band, go!

~ Princess Buttercup