Spotlight on the films of John Sayles:
Return of the Secaucus Seven (1979)
The Brother from Another Planet (1984)
Matewan (1987)
Eight Men Out (1988)
Lone Star (1996)
Silver City (2004)
Honeydripper (2007)
The idea for this spotlight came after discovering that TIFF was doing a retrospective of John Sayles this past summer. Barry Hertz’s insightful interview highlighted that it has been 13 years since John Sayles last directed feature, Go for Sisters (2013). That is a long gap although Sayles has been busy in the meantime, working on his novels and screenplays. The interview does highlight the difficulty Sayles and his producer partner Maggie Renzi have had in getting funds to make a film. Although, the interview also highlights this isn’t a new problem:
If the pair had a hard time getting money back in the 1980s, then it shouldn't be a surprise they are struggling to get money now because movie making is a business now and independent cinema isn’t what it used to be. Commercial cinema is packed with sequels and streamers put money up for material driven by algorithms. In such an environment, an independent lone star like John Sayles would easily stick out.
Story driven cinema
John Sayles’ films are story driven works. That is understandable as he started his film career writing screenplays and he has 8 novels to his name along with 2 short story collections. Having a strong story also gives space for actors to shine and that is apparent in the 7 films as part of this spotlight. In fact, many famous actors got their break with John Sayles as David Strathairn made his debut in Sayles’ debut feature Return of the Secaucus Seven, Chris Cooper made his feature film debut in Matewan. Both collaborated with Sayles on subsequent features as well. Matthew McConaughey acted in Lone Star early in his career.
Spotlight on American Society
Watching John Sayles films in 2026 is a refreshing experience as it gives a glimpse into how films used to be made. They don’t make cinema like this anymore and unless something changes, it is hard to imagine such films being made again. Each film has a purpose, a story to tell and the characters feel real. The films showcase a slice of American society in a specific era and highlight cultural, social, political and economic situations that impacted the characters.
Eight Men Out looks at economic situations and attitudes in 1919 which led to eight (really seven) Chicago White Sox members to throw away the World Series.
Matewan looks at the 1920s at a time with unions were starting to form and battle between coal companies and employees.
Honeydripper captures the blues era of 1950s Alabama.
Lone Star is a neo-Western film that is set in 1990s Texas but also sheds light on how things were back in the 1950-60s via flashbacks. Sadly, many of the attitudes and racism that existed decades ago can still be found in our contemporary world.
Return of the Secaucus Seven looks at how promising dreams and hopes of 1960-70s US leads to more sober reflections in the 1980s.
The Brother from Another Planet is a playful sci-fi film that gives a snapshot of changing attitudes and cultural trends in 1980s, including omnipresent arcades games.
Silver City captures the absurd stupidity of
post George W. Bush America in early 2000s where being a stupid politician had
no impact on one’s chances to get elected (that stupidity seems nostalgic in
our current idiotic political times).
Ranking all 7 features in order of preference:
1. Matewan (1987)
2. Eight Men Out (1988)
3. Return of the Secaucus Seven (1979)
4. The Brother from Another Planet (1984)
5. Silver City (2004)
6. Lone Star (1996)
7. Honeydripper (2007)
