Great breakdown of the film - I've been dying for this kind of analysis since I saw it last weekend!
Want to say something about Mary. I think Mary is the figurative and literal hinge of the movie. She lives in a liminal space, a loyal and potent member of the family, but she endangers them by crossing cultures (the track Dangerous on the soundtrack playlist speaks to this.)
She makes connection with the vampires in that hauntingly beautiful rendition of Wild Mountain Thyme, and they recognize her sorrow. That scene is the pivot point of the movie, starting the horror that we can all see is inevitable. She herself is not evil but she brings the evil into the juke. And yet, there she is with Stack at the end.
I was thinking about Mary as a liminal character who lives between spaces as allegorical in her opening access to the Juke joint and the exploitation of black musicians/extraction and theft of musical rights and the role of white Jewish producers occupying a liminal role in WASP-centered society. Just my initial reaction in what I thought of Mary as a representative door opener.
Thank you for sharing this! I'm a freshman in Sinners School and look forward to every class and reading. I love this movie and grateful to all the people who made it - and to all those teaching us. Excellence abounds!
FYI I've removed the paywall on this Sinners post for Oscar season in celebration of the power of this movie (most nominated ever!!) I'd love you to check out what me and this community built together to break down why this story is so epic!
The movie was medicine! The scene of music across time depicted and as you said, “smuggled in” so much pain and hope. I need to see it again as I missed the first 5 minutes. It for sure had a Lovecraft vibe. There is so much to unpack in this film.
I was confused by the syncretism- was that meant to represent West African candomble with the protective pouches? I was also steeped in thought about the parallels with Irish dance/culture and the victim/villain cycle.
Great breakdown of the film - I've been dying for this kind of analysis since I saw it last weekend!
Want to say something about Mary. I think Mary is the figurative and literal hinge of the movie. She lives in a liminal space, a loyal and potent member of the family, but she endangers them by crossing cultures (the track Dangerous on the soundtrack playlist speaks to this.)
She makes connection with the vampires in that hauntingly beautiful rendition of Wild Mountain Thyme, and they recognize her sorrow. That scene is the pivot point of the movie, starting the horror that we can all see is inevitable. She herself is not evil but she brings the evil into the juke. And yet, there she is with Stack at the end.
I was thinking about Mary as a liminal character who lives between spaces as allegorical in her opening access to the Juke joint and the exploitation of black musicians/extraction and theft of musical rights and the role of white Jewish producers occupying a liminal role in WASP-centered society. Just my initial reaction in what I thought of Mary as a representative door opener.
Thank you for sharing this! I'm a freshman in Sinners School and look forward to every class and reading. I love this movie and grateful to all the people who made it - and to all those teaching us. Excellence abounds!
Welcome to the academy!
FYI I've removed the paywall on this Sinners post for Oscar season in celebration of the power of this movie (most nominated ever!!) I'd love you to check out what me and this community built together to break down why this story is so epic!
Wowwww an 8 page draft curriculum?! I feel cared for.
so much care!
Profound and amazing film. I’m planning to watch it again to glean more and more decode symbols and metaphors.
“Sinners” is the best movie this 71 yo Southern whyte woman has ever, ever experienced.
The movie was medicine! The scene of music across time depicted and as you said, “smuggled in” so much pain and hope. I need to see it again as I missed the first 5 minutes. It for sure had a Lovecraft vibe. There is so much to unpack in this film.
I was confused by the syncretism- was that meant to represent West African candomble with the protective pouches? I was also steeped in thought about the parallels with Irish dance/culture and the victim/villain cycle.