Shadrach (1998)

Intriguing as a story, and surprisingly entertaining as a movie
SHADRACH (1998) starring Harvey Keitel, Andie MacDowell and narrated
by Martin Sheen (unrecognizable by voice) is especially intriguing as
a story, and surprisingly entertaining as a movie.

Although clearly sanitized, idyllic and obviously intended as a
family movie, specifically watchable by kids of all ages and genders,
the story unfolds convincingly, telling important lessons of the past
and of the present of various economic, social, politican contexts.
Perhaps this will clue-in kids on conversations and topics they need
to pick up, as they grow up.

Based in Virginia, showing a slavery legacy, the story unfolding
during the Prohibition eta (1920's, 30's), it brings to the forefront
how even the humblest, most poor segments of the population are able
to show immense decency, moral fiber and a belief in a Humanity that
too often is discounted by all other segments of the population.
Wealth accumulation, social status and material goods too often is
confused with what is moral, as the be-all and end-all of Life.

Admittedly, Keitel's Southern or Virginia accent is not the most
realistic, nor is his articulation on life, the most natural as he
plays a farmer and moonshiner, on a large farm on the outskirts of a
small town, sustaining his family during the Great Depression.

Indeed, Keitel has a quintessential city-minded demeanor, showing a
nervous, high-strung, stressed out mental process, somewhat throwing
his family off balance from the pressures he feels, even with the
animals and birds chirping outside. His wife, played by MacDowell,
exudes a confident, tolerant, positive attitude contrasting with his
own, yet both actors seem perfectly comfortable and natural in their
roles.

The soundtrack is done to perfection, with a number immediately
recognizeable by Bobby Dylan, with other folk and blues numbers most
closely associated with the Mississipi Delta.

The self-proclaimed atheism of Keitel, from the lessons of life, in
the picture, is compared to his wife's beliefs, that are strong.

The natural inclination of kids to get along, leaving aside mental
strategic, monetary, social, calculated or cultural objectives,
despite their families station in life, is shown.

The fact that a dying elderly Black man, is adopted by Keitel, who
pays his funeral and burial expenses despite utter poverty, tells a
lot about the farmer's character and ability to think things through
by himself, not showing a knee-jerk reaction to norms, mores, taboos
of society at large imposed on him and all others.

For that reason, despite atheistic, Keitel from his behavior and
morality shown, is a deeply religious man, discarding birth control,
social class or racial pigeonholing - "loving thy neighbor" as often
told.

Due to the autobiographical nature of the film, it tells of nostalgia
among the elderly, when wild rivers were clean enough to drink from
and bathe in, birds were in the backyard, the Model - T was a new
automobile, when the notion of cemetaries being compulsory for
burials was only a new innovation and law passed, when bartering was
still possible in the marketplace. Despite the funeral operator's
business - minded, hard dollars approach, he sees that handling the
deceased as an undertaked is more than just running a meat shop.

This is as clean-cut as it comes, for Keitel as an actor, considering
his "tough guy" image from a number of other works, such as Fingers,
or Scorcese's pictures, etc.

A Triumph of the Human Spirit?
What a beautiful idea for a film about a time in history when people would be inhuman toward each other, a poor white family unselfishly and desperately seeks to ensure that a dying black man's request is granted. My mother marveled at this. However, I stopped watching the film halfway as I could no longer put up with some of the characters' constant usage of God's name in profanity. Why can't Hollywood choose some other religion's deity to curse? This film seemed insulting to my Christian black household not because of the racism depicted in it (which does leave one uneasy) but because almost all of the sentences uttered by the father in the film had God*@!# in them. I would not recommend this movie for others to watch as the lack of respect shown towards Christians in this regard undermines what could have been an inspiring tale on the triumph of the human spirit.

A small but charming pleasure
There are so many good reviews of this film written already that I need add very little.

The acting is superb, the atmosphere of the South excellently portrayed and the comedy and underlying drama beautifully unfolds.

It brought some sun to a cold Welsh winter evening, for which I thank Harvey Keitel, Andie MacDowell and the remainder of the excellent cast. The direction is excellent and in total sympathy with the original short story written byWilliam Styron.

This is an unpretentious film that makes you feel you have spent your time well when it comes to an end. Highly recommended. I am sure you will enjoy it.