Stuck in My Head
I watched this last night. It is a beautiful, sad film about the
realities of small towns. What I've been thinking about the most is how
this film destroys all romanticized ideas one may have of 1950's
Americana. These characters are not rejoicing in their freedom--they're
trapped and sad in a landscape of scrub grass, dust, and decrepit store
fronts.
What's hopeful are Sonny's relationship with Sam the Lion and
Billy--but before the end, both of these characters have died and Sonny
is left in the kitchen with Ruth, the coach's wife with whom he's had
an affair.
Nevertheless, the cinematography is beautiful. I love the choice to
film in black and white; it's as if the audience enters the 1950's and
participates in reality, not some glitzy, full-skirted, shiny appliance
world.