One of the things I really appreciate about Sayles' screenwriting is his ability to leave out the fluff, and deal with the core issues. I just watched 'Passion Fish' recently (for the 3rd time), and the writing was just sublime.

But then, this is a man who understands stories better than any other filmmaker I can think of--don't forget, he began his career as writer, who worked blue collar jobs, accepted any kind of work in the biz at any wage in order to support himself and his creative endeavors, that sort of thing. No one "in the biz" in the American film industry does it that way--not even most indies. Why is he so different? He refuses to sell his right of final cut for financing by the Big Boys. Most indies end up selling their soul because they care more about "just getting it made" than getting it made right, or not at all.

I have tremendous amount of respect for Sayles as an artist of integrity. And there aren't too many people of integrity working successfully in any field these days, much less the film industry (US or otherwise). It is one of the reasons why Michael Moore is getting so popular right now too. People are fed up with status quo-speak, and the dodger art of compromise.