Virginia Organising miners in transforms J Edgar Hoover's Fllm, directed by John
Here there in a blurring between Matewan tries to avoid direct implications for activism today. struggle that are relevant today. argue for a non-violent defence, historical events to come out of saintly figure, sct in the remote ideas prevalent today, with the making Joe Kenehan a mythic and distant past. But Matewan crcated the best film based on of the struggle, continuing to Director John Sayles, with the beautiful photography of activist Haskell Wexler, has Fighting against divisions - refugees from 13 nations character of an ex- Wobblie. Hollywood in a long time. invitably rises issues of march during the British miners' strike. the crisis of one youth, who had Such a local govemment would und resist the company violence church and place his faith in the credulity in several arcas. First, excesses of the strike-breakers. Secondly, when the miners are becomes a pacifist and sits out He is forced to break from the remain neutral and control the been preparing for the pulpit. the town mayor sympathises forced to defend themselves, be the exception and not the with the union, and tries to with weapons, the former Wobblie, Joe Kenchan, rule in labour actions. Andrew Wiard PHOTO; socialist activist Mark Curtis in The church sides against the workers at JP Stevens found in only the beginning of the story. Matewan portravs the subtle falsified charge of rape against the american mid-west mirrots miners and the disillusionment one unionist's betrayal and the they are coming together, new Issues of loyalty arise, with common interest, And, just as with this betrayal is shown by guarantee victory. The textile ending of Norma Rae, where brought into the strike by the between the different groups with difficulty, seen through the false charges against Joe mine owner, Whites against the union clection soems to southern states, cach group. blacks brought up from the prejudice, to acknowledge not have the tidy resolved Italian immigrants against manipulation of relations contemporary case of the divisions are effectively Joe Kenehan. The Company has hired the most drama, but it more successfully strike-breakers available in century, showing the extent to portrays histonical fact Unlike dells of the West Virginian strike-breakers do not hesitate to use any methods, including and Norma Rae, Matewan has coal region, But, Joe is not Matewan vividly brings to alone. The mine owner of tran spired to unionise in this Keneban into the isolated which the bosses must go to the Stone Mountain Coal Like Mississippi Burning the screen the struggles that Mississippi Burning, which MATEWAN FOLLOWS murder, to stop the union. the feel of a documentary union organiser Joe ruthless and feared Reviewed by Bradley Judd keep control. The
Page 31 the more general question of the psychological problems: though Before the film ends comes a panic - that Raymond could not cope with life unsupported, and The film does however rise None of which detracts from ticatment of mental illness and structured, ritualistic life-style, Charlie, are not willing or able Raymond climbs onto the train it may offer hun securty and a to go back to his familiar "bin" the film's entertainment value; smoke alarm sends him into a to give up their lives to caring for a disabled relative. But as film) the beat environment in (depressingly revealed in the society cannot come up with with real affection, while we some more civilised way of caring for people with such we should wonder whether we are shown how to laugh realistic reminder - when a sympathise with Charlie's frustration. Don't miss it! is a large mental hospital that many relatives, like which to care for any out in contrast to their condition. with two brothers - one autistic. autism, which affects about five though it does remind us that so (largely malc) children in every strengths and skills which need powers in certain fields, which onc not. His portrayal is based percent of autistic children are "handicapped" do have special mentally retarded, ten percent some other skill, which stands only 200 or so have ever been savants' with near-miraculous A much smaller category - In preparation for the role. recorded - fit the category of affection - both for Susanna Hoffman virtually moved in Rain Man is not therefore looking at autism in general, on painstaking research into model-making, drawing or Raymond Babbit, 'autistic may include mathematics, many people dismissed as 10,000 births. Though 80 have a spocial talent - for memory, musical skills, mentally or physically drawing or sculpture. and for Raymond. to be appreciated. mathematical skills: but Charlie one with a diagnosed condition himself and uncommunicative, that makes him unable to fom fact known only to his father, been confined for most of his life to a mental institution - a 'nomial" Charlie is the one at Raymond revcals his hitherto too reveals a hidden streak of Yet while Raymond is the (Tom Crise). Raymond has normal human relationships, hidden gifts of memory and and not to Charlie until his Hoffman as Raymond. not least with his girlinend the start of the film who is completely wrapped up in Susanna (Valena Golino). An the story unfolds, father dies. SOCIALIST OUTLOOK no 15 May 1989 Hidden gifts Babbit, the autistic older brother to see Rain Man, despite the Film, directed by Barry with sound moral intent and obsessive desire to focus on need have no fears in going fact that its main character, simply about a particular fomm handicap: it is about character. of car importer Charlie Babbit 'awkward' topics, you still an Oscar-winning role for disorder known as autism. However Rain Man is not teamest" films overladen IF, LIKE ME, you dread Dustin Hoffman and Dustin Hoffman, suffers Hoffman plays Raymond Levinson, starring of mental/psychological from the personality JOHN LISTER Reviewed by Tom Cruise Rain Man
and which do not end in disaster, not see the actual rape), who later Dangerous Liaisons is often very funny, and is worth seeing for its "sinful' sexual relationships meet fact of the rape itself, hut the way quite disturbing to watch: not the relationships developing outside is barely hinted at. Neverthcless, The film is lavish in its period with their comeuppance, and the beautiful eighteenth century ball message of Dangerous Liaisons of the moral code which are not mD napite es, the oving in its based on greed and selfishness. hypocrisy of the ruling class of in which it is treated as mercly only contrast made is with the another part of the cynical and despite guilt, she enjoyed it. I found this section of the film good behaviour of Pfeiffer despile political limitations, sexy intrigues of the French seems to be that immorality admits to Glenn Close that, doesn't pay — if you mess wry view of the deceit and Malkevich) and even more characters who indulge in theme these days. All the The possibility of Malkevich's chams. around you get hurt design and setting