Until "Passion Fish," in fact, most of his roles have been supporting.

She is seen in a hospital, waking up to the daunting facts of her new life, as John Sayles's "Passion Fish" begins.

But like many of this season's releases, "Passion Fish" is needlessly long.

His new film, "Passion Fish," which opens nationally on Friday, runs a different risk, that of seeming too slickly upbeat.

And "Passion Fish" could have been simple or syrupy.

In "Passion Fish," as in life, people don't go around babbling about their feelings all day.

"Passion Fish" is not totally free of melodrama.

Passion Fish is a 1992 American film written and directed by John Sayles.

Anyone who saw John Sayles's "Passion Fish" will recognize the Playboys as the group performing in the movie.

Mr. Sayles says his last movie, "Passion Fish," released in 1992, will break even with foreign sales.