SINNERS

Do you know anything about Sinners? I knew next to nothing except that Lola Kirke was in it because she could sing and act. It turns out she's not the only singing actor in the movie. Also, it is one of the biggest grossing 'original' movies in years. Original just means it isn't based on a book, part of a franchise, a sequel, a remake or any of the other usual dross that Hollywood presents us with to make enough money to cover their flops. (I don't include Thunderbolts* in this because I love Julia, Florence, Rachel and Hannah too much. Why does it need a star anyway?)

Sinners presents as a Western of sorts. It is set in the 1930s Mississippi delta, in Clarksdale, around an 80 mile drive south-west of Memphis, Tennessee. But it inhabits a different universe from the midpoint scene when Lola Kirke kicks open her front door armed with a rifle. Is that a KKK outfit behind her? No, we are getting ahead of ourselves.

My Crime Guy alter ego loved this film because of the Chicago Al Capone thread running through it, which connects it up to my British Gangs book, incredibly. Yes I have a chapter on America. Don't mention it!

The Al Capone part isn't crucial but it does add to some of the many historical pay-offs throughout the film. They had been working for Capone's Chicago Outfit and used money from that source to buy a sawmill. That in turn to fund a juke joint, a sort of nightclub for blacks. The first half of the film is character driven as our two heroes, Smoke and Stack (geddit?) round up various acquaintances they need for the joint. Musicians, singers, you name it, they round them up and in the process we learn all about the ties that bind. I missed it but apparently there are some little occult discussions and references in this first half that help to understand the second half.

Calling them halves is misleading: they are more like different parts, like Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2. It also reminded me very much of From Dusk Till Dawn, another Tarantino creation.

It is the first time I have seen Hailee Steinfeld in anything and she stands out as Mary, the love interest of Stack. She reminded me a little of someone else (no names) but she's really great in her own right. These photos show that she has a fairly pivotal role. This is why I don't review movies often: too easy to spoil it for you. But then, haven't you already seen it? Everyone but me has.

We have to talk about the soundtrack. Lola Kirke sings on two songs: Pick Poor Robin Clean and Will Ye Go, Lassie Go? Both are wonderful. There is such a mix of stuff on the soundtrack, it stands on its own as a great listen. Never before have such light, gentle folk songs seemed so sinister.

(I won't veer off too much into another Lola Kirke hagiography because I am planning more of that when I have finished her (incredible) (book that is (not a) memoir in any way whatsoever.))

I hope I have given you enough of a taste (of blood – haha) of this movie to go and watch it. Don't be one of the very few fools who miss out at the cinema/theatre. This will not be anything like the film it is if you watch it at home, no matter how enormous your telly box is.