Sayles’ compassionate eye hones in on May-Alice, played with bitter humor and unadorned conviction by Mary McDonnell, and Chantelle, played by Alfre Woodard as trepidatious and fiery as a wounded fox.
What makes this movie stand out is his generosity. His script lovingly fleshes out a steely, difficult character; starts a recovering addict on a path to redemption; and grants a spotlight to so many smaller parts. Nancy Mette has one scene with a bittersweet, nearly four-minute monologue shot in long takes (she owns it). Vonde Curtis-Hall is radiant; his understated final line, a simple and surprising invitation, may be the most moving in the picture.
Sayles makes Chantelle a co-lead with her own backstory, romance, ambitions, and attitudes. Chantelle helps May-Alice at least as much as she’s helped by her. Coming just three years after Driving Miss Daisy, this is absolutely worth recognizing. Out of that context, it’s still a joy to watch.