Wendi Weger

A shocking tragedy sends Mara down a path of sin, redemption, grace, and evil. Barefoot to Jerusalem is the story of a woman struggling to face her deepest desires, her darkest fears, and ultimately, the devil.

Caldwell's pulp storytelling, proto-feminist stance and unabashed social dramatization of his characters are a distinct vision of the condition of women -- specifically working class women. His broadly drawn themes of small town hypocrisy and restrictive moral values contextualize the titular characters' struggle for sexual expression, stability and independence. Certain Women is a disconcerting parable that pays tribute to but also defies the 50s period style of Caldwell, opting for contemporary small town situations and cinematic style. This cautionary tale of four heroic yet ordinary women is fashioned out of the past but relies on observations of the present historical moment and its political reality.

When Buddy and Carl’s prized automobile—a mint 1972 Delta 88 that somehow catches every yellow light—is stolen by a couple of slackers taking it for a joyride, they take off in ice-cold pursuit. As the two duos circle the streets casually playing cat-and-mouse and shooting the breeze, these amiable misadventures are set to a wall-to-wall soundtrack of underground bangers including a track by Killdozer, a live concert by the Blue Meanies, and a countrified cover of a Shellac deep cut.