This movie is extremely dear to me because it takes place not far from where my Dad and his family were raised in WV. Most of my Dad's family were miners, and my grandpa would have been about the same age as Danny was in the movie when he first started working in the mines.
The cinematography, screenplay, and for me...the music, makes this a haunting movie that I can watch again and again.
"Matewan" is one of my favorite movies EVER. In my top three of all time. And for some reason I decided to watch it in the wee hours of this morning.
What a trip it was for me to take my mom to see this film in the theater when it first came out. She grew up in the coal camps of West Virginia, and the scenes of old coal houses at the beginning - it was like watching her watch a home movie.
"Matewan" was also my discovery of David Strathairn, and his portrayal of Sid just knocks me sideways. Should have been Oscar material, as should the entire film have been.
One of the great American movies. Period.
Except for Lone Star, this is my favorite John Sayles film and one of my absolute favorite films, ever. I never get tired of watching it.
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