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| Lone Star
Year: 1996
Classification: Mystery / Suspense
Directed:
- John Sayles
Actors/Actresses:
- Chris Cooper
- Elizabeth Peña
Films Like This; There Are But A Few...
LONE STAR is a multi-layered drama, that unlike many other films of today, is rich with characters that seem real Like the other films of director John Sayles, this movie doesn't dumb down its audience, and once it's all over, you come away feeling very satisfied The story has many plotlines running at the same time. At its center, the movie is about the sheriff of Rio County, Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper) trying to solve the 30 year old mystery of his father, Buddy's (Matthew McConaughey) death. There's also the relationship between Sam and his lover Pilar Cruz (Elizabeth Pena) that is anything but secondary in the film Kris Kristopherson, Joe Morton, and Frances McDormand round out this excellent cast. As the tale unmfolds, you will find yourself thinking that it will end up one way, when in fact, it travels somewhere different at every turn The screenplay, also from Sayles, so much deserved its Oscar nomination (it should have won). Anyone who hasn't seen the movie yet, get set for a true modern classic, that deserves your attention.
Sadly, there are no extras on the DVD, save for the theatrical trailer. Even though a "special edition" of LONE STAR is nothing but a distant wish, I Highly Recommend the film as a must see/have, for anyone's film collection. ***** stars
Simply the best indie film in years...
I saw this movie when it was first released, and then again this week-end on TNT. It's one of the best films I've seen and I plan to purchase it for my library.
It doesn't have a lot of action and the plots develop slowly, but, like In the Heat of the Night, there is not one throw-away scene.
I've never seen Kristofferson so evil...his work was real enough to be very, very scary. I liked Chris Cooper and Frances McDormand is a riot in her all-too-brief scene as Cooper's strung-out ex-wife.
I live in a small town in east Texas and I know people like the Sheriff, Big O, Buddy and the others.
The plot twist at the end might be a bit off-putting for some, but, to me, it just added to the quality of the writing, directing, acting and drama.
This is a movie to be savored. Do not expect action, car crashes or surrealistice special effects. It's a film about real people facing real issues and doing their best to right some very bad wrongs.
Enjoy!
Stereotypes
There's something so "Plastic, Benjamin" about a scripted debate on race relations. Somebody tell John Sayles that drama comes first. His political inclinations are so important they blot out the sun. Remember, "To Tell a Mockingbird?" It never felt preachy. Why? Because Greg Peck had a meaty role and his position was clear. "This will not stand," a Lincolnesque moment. Chris Cooper is one sad sheriff trying to live up to his legendary dad. The town is a boiling pot of Anglo, Mexican and Afro-American potations. They shout at each other, they cuss, sort-of, but then they all sit around and express their feelings. Subtle, this ain't. That's why the movie feels like it's taking three hours to tell a ten-minute story. Who killed the bad sheriff? Kris Kristofoson is one of those redneck bad guy-racists that come out of Hollywood without motivation. This script won an academy award back in 96. There are incestuous stories, stereotypes, town histories intertwined, but I still can't figure if the sheriff and the schoolteacher can overcome that last revelation.
Buy Lone Star at Amazon.com
Buy posters at Allposters.com
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