Passion Fish

Passion Fish is a 1992 American drama film written and directed by John Sayles. The film stars Mary McDonnell, Alfre Woodard, Vondie Curtis-Hall, David Strathairn, Leo Burmester, and Angela Bassett. It tells the story of a soap opera star (McDonnell), who after becoming paralyzed from a car crash, is forced by circumstance to return to her family home and rely upon a series of nurses for her basic care. Her anger and alcohol use forces each nurse to leave her employment, until one shows up who guarantees to stay. Sayles based the screenplay on his experiences working as an orderly in hospitals and nursing homes. Filming took place in the Acadiana region of Louisiana in May 1992. The film premiered in the United States on December 9, 1992, distributed by Miramax Films. It received widespread critical acclaim for its performances, direction, cinematography, and story. McDonnell received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and Woodard won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.