John
Sayles has remained one of our best screenwriters for quite some time. For years
he's been on the independent circuit getting movies made his way. Films such as:
Matewan, Eight Men Out, Brother From Another Planet, The Secret Of Roan Inish,
Lone Star, and Men With Guns. He's also been hired to do re-writes on commercial
films such as Mimic and Apollo 13.
Limbo
is one of Sayles' most compelling works. It opens as an ensemble piece (ala Robert
Altman) in which we meet an assortment of colorful, eccentric characters. The
story then takes a turn and becomes a tale of survival, much like David Mamet's
The Edge. Throughout all this, Limbo never becomes dull.
Sayles
fashions a compelling character study and gets the best from a stellar cast that
includes: David Strathairn, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Vanessa Martinez, and
Kris Kristofferson--all are superb.
The
films best attribute is the way in which it challenges the audience. Just when
you think Sayles will settle into the confines of one storyline, he zips you through
another. It all adds to an ending that may make some people mad, but I loved it.
It made me think, and sometimes it's refreshing to see a movie that doesn't force
feed you. Limbo is a grand film that is also one of the years best.
