Matewan

1987 coal miner movie

Rating: 16/20

Plot: Coal miners considering unionizing upset the owners who send thugs, an act that threatens to start a small war in the titular town.

Either way you go, it seems that you're rooting for Trump supporters. And that's not a good situation for a viewer to be placed in.

Every year, it seems I stumble upon a movie with Will Oldham This is a very young Will Oldham, and that particular voice he has matches his character, a kid with aspirations to be a preacher, well. The cast is good all around though the villains almost seem like they come out of a comic book. My favorite characters are these guys who just emerge from the West Virginian forest whenever they're needed, hopefully not when they're in the middle of making somebody squeal like a pig.

This is shot well, like a Western from the 50's. At times, it looks like it could be a documentary thought these are clearly characters and actors and actresses are clearly playing them. I would have liked to see a little more coal mine action.

What it does best is build the tension well. I don't have much interest in real-life story's of battles between labor unions and rich guys, but this was constructed like a Shakespearean tragedy. You know where it's headed, so you're not surprised when it gets there. Mini-climaxes keep you going along the way.

One movie away from completing a rare "union movie" trifecta. Stay tuned.