Saw ‘The Neon Bible’ this evening, part of the Terence Davies retrospective at the BFI.

Fabulous film. So under-rated. Based on the John Kennedy Toole novel of the same name.

More than any other film it brings together his arthouse and MGM musical influences - America on a soundstage but lit like a painting. This is America as experienced and loved by Davies when he was growing up.

And here as in his autobiographical films there’s a connection to communities & families under deep stress.

Gena Rowlands is especially good as Aunt Mae, but all the performances are excellent, e.g. Diana Scarwid as the mother.

Also, as usual, the music is wonderful. Terence Davies really knew how to use music.

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#TerenceDavies #BFI #TheNeonBible #GenaRowlands #DianaScarwid #JacobTierney #JohnKennedyToole

An opening Vertigo homage paves the way for a poignant, tentative romance between two unfashionably mature, lonely souls. #DianaScarwid's suicidal nun (with more than a passing resemblance to Marion Crane) takes refuge at the #BatesMotel, briefly envisioning "Mother" as the Virgin Mary in one of several inspired subversions of expectation...

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