The Thousands

I’d never heard of Jesco White, aka ‘The Dancing Outlaw’, before seeing White Lightnin’. Yes, that’s right: ‘The Dancing Outlaw’. And not just any dancing either – mountain dancing, which appears to be some sort’ve super fast tap dancing.

White Lightnin’ is a sepia-toned quasi-biopic inspired by the real life of Jesco White. White was born a hillbilly huffer who grew up to be something like a darker, more dangerous version of Johnny Cash. While his life doesn’t seem like it needs much embellishing, it’s hard to tell what’s ‘colour’ and what’s real as this story goes from bad to bonkers to bloody and bloodier.

A winning combination of the frank narration and blacker-than-tar humour make White both a charismatic and sympathetic character. Even as he swings from his best when dancing away his demons to his most terrifyingly hyper violent.

Though not for the faint of heart or soft of stomach, this film is totally worth braving for the awesome chemistry of the oddly paired but brilliantly cast leads – White, played by Brit Edward Hogg, and ex-Princess-of-the-Galaxy Carrie Fischer playing his paramour Cilla.