It's time to dust off this shining star and give it its due...
Added 11/13/2009
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I sat down to watch this film, but what I got was far more than I bargained for. One of those dusty western films that is far from dusty, `Lone Star' works more like a crime noir with a dash of thriller and volatile romance thrown in as apposed to a western by definition. It is rich with startling character development (whoever said these people are stereotypical caricatures needs to get a reality check) and engrossing from beginning to end.
`Lone Star' is by far one of the best films of the 90's you may have never seen.
Chris Cooper (complete with sunken demeanor and pent-up sorrow) plays Sam, a young sheriff who starts asking too many questions when a skeleton wearing a badge gets uncovered outside his town. Sam starts sticking his nose where it don't belong (well, it belongs there, but townsfolk think otherwise) and begins to unravel a tale that answers some longstanding questions about his own father and the life he once led.
The film is very easy to follow, but it carries with it a twisted tale, so your attention is demanded. Don't be too worried about that, since the payoff is very rewarding, and the final scene between Cooper and the luminous Elizabeth Pena is such a mindblow that it just warrants another viewing.
The films central morale, of self discovery and acceptance, is gloriously handled throughout the film, and the script just covers every base without feeling too stuffed, too rushed or too flimsy. It is the perfect balance of emotional connection and political correction. The controversial subjects such as race relations, family development, political corruption and misguided loyalties are all explored adequately and carefully so as to appear fluid and complete as apposed to an amalgam of ideas with no real sound structure.
The film couldn't have been made any better.
And then we have the performances, all of which are stellar. Chris Cooper is brilliantly subtle here, gliding through each scene with a restraint that elevates his character's development. Elizabeth Pena harnesses a sensuality that she breaks apart here in order to convey the appearance of a worn and tattered woman who still breathes a fire that just cannot be extinguished. Kris Kristofferson is evil to a T here, capturing fear and handing it to the audience without hesitation, and Matthew McConaughey ACTUALLY DELIVERS here. This may be his finest performance, albeit a small one. He has the natural cowboy swagger (does that term work here) to make his performance work.
And we can all bow to the glorious Francis McDormand, who makes the most (and I mean THE MOST) of a beautifully fleshed out cameo.
So, I promise you, `Lone Star' is all the movie you need. If you haven't seen this brilliant film I urge you to seek it out as soon as possible. With the dirt covered grunge of a western, this crisply tailored exploration of humanity exceeds expectations and remains on of the best films of the 90's; easy.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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stereotypes
Added 8/17/2009
the subject matter of this film is serious, it deals with race, murder and nationalism; but the characters in the film are simplistic and caricatured. it's unfortunate. the most upsetting thing for me as a viewer was the portrayal of the caucasian characters. many are shown as racists and neanderthals. it's very much a hollywood film with strong left leanings that make it difficult for anyone without similar views to enjoy.
1 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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The Peyton Plaza Movie
Added 8/12/2009
The film opens with a view of a desert and cactus. Two men find a skeleton in a shallow grave. The sheriff arrives to take charge. Men hang out in the street (unemployed due to illegal immigrants?). There is talk in the restaurant among elder men about events from long ago. Did the old Sheriff take too much? [Is this scene believable?] Next an army officer talks to his men about the closure of the post. Next there is big trouble in a bar. The next scene shows an argument in a schoolroom about the teaching of history. [Is it believable?] A boy is in trouble after helping a friend. Three army men are exercising in the dry country. The Medical Examiner inspects the bones. No sign of trauma. Its Charlie Wade because of the badge.
A school class is taught about the history of the early 19th century. Is it cut and dried? Sheriff Sam Dees investigates the found skeleton. [Why does this Sheriff travel unarmed? Realism or idealism?] They tell something about small town life in the past. Is it still true? Are there payoffs other than in cash for political support? Can zoning make fortunes for the politically connected? There is talk in a restaurant between a mother and daughter. Are things changing in town? Will the Army post be turned into a jail or a mall? Are there many fights in a bar where young men blow off steam? Will the town build a new jail to benefit contractors with political connections? The people talk about their life. The Sheriff checks out old records. "It's a complicated issue." The Sheriff learns about past history. [The film has been dragging for a while.]
The Sheriff talks to an old girlfriend about why he came back. The old jukebox plays an old song. They become friendlier. The girl mentions her father's name. [Were you surprised?] We learn a little history about the Seminoles and the Black Indians. The Sheriff has an idea about solving the old murder. One Army private may get an Article 15. Or would that reflect on the command? [Does the film drag?] The Sheriff visits his ex-wife. Is she on her meds? The last scene provides a solution to the murder. [I found it unbelievable.] Will it remain officially unsolved? "Goodnight fellas." There is another shocking surprise to this story. The film ends with a yodeling song. [Was this brought to Texas by the German immigrants of the 19th century?]
This story is partly unbelievable and surprising, slow and weird. Even if individual stories reflect reality. It is rich in personal characters but has a poor storyline. John Sayles may need a new line of work or a better writer. Were the actors wasted in this film? Does it remind you of the 50-year old Peyton Place movie, which was also about local politics?
1 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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Sayles' finest hour (or two)
Added 5/4/2009
If I could have only ten DVDs on a desert island, this would make the cut. If you can only see one film by John Sayles, choose Lone Star. How come? Characterizations, acting, settings, cinematography, music, and above all, the writing. This film satisfies on every level, illustrating a complicated place (the U.S./ Mexican borderland) in contemporary American life in short, deft strokes. There is brutality, cynicism, and despair, along with history, hope, and even a little hilarity. All that plus, in a barroom scene, Lucinda Williams can be heard on the jukebox.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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LoneStar stars!
Added 3/17/2009
I ordered LoneStar to show my 12th-grade lit students as a contemporary take on an ancient theme as an introduction to Oedipus Rex. Schlondorf's Voyager is another film I've shown them as introduction.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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It's time to dust off this shining star and give it its due...
Added 11/13/2009
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I sat down to watch this film, but what I got was far more than I bargained for. One of those dusty western films that is far from dusty, `Lone Star' works more like a crime noir with a dash of thriller and volatile romance thrown in as apposed to a western by definition. It is rich with startling character development (whoever said these people are stereotypical caricatures needs to get a reality check) and engrossing from beginning to end.
`Lone Star' is by far one of the best films of the 90's you may have never seen.
Chris Cooper (complete with sunken demeanor and pent-up sorrow) plays Sam, a young sheriff who starts asking too many questions when a skeleton wearing a badge gets uncovered outside his town. Sam starts sticking his nose where it don't belong (well, it belongs there, but townsfolk think otherwise) and begins to unravel a tale that answers some longstanding questions about his own father and the life he once led.
The film is very easy to follow, but it carries with it a twisted tale, so your attention is demanded. Don't be too worried about that, since the payoff is very rewarding, and the final scene between Cooper and the luminous Elizabeth Pena is such a mindblow that it just warrants another viewing.
The films central morale, of self discovery and acceptance, is gloriously handled throughout the film, and the script just covers every base without feeling too stuffed, too rushed or too flimsy. It is the perfect balance of emotional connection and political correction. The controversial subjects such as race relations, family development, political corruption and misguided loyalties are all explored adequately and carefully so as to appear fluid and complete as apposed to an amalgam of ideas with no real sound structure.
The film couldn't have been made any better.
And then we have the performances, all of which are stellar. Chris Cooper is brilliantly subtle here, gliding through each scene with a restraint that elevates his character's development. Elizabeth Pena harnesses a sensuality that she breaks apart here in order to convey the appearance of a worn and tattered woman who still breathes a fire that just cannot be extinguished. Kris Kristofferson is evil to a T here, capturing fear and handing it to the audience without hesitation, and Matthew McConaughey ACTUALLY DELIVERS here. This may be his finest performance, albeit a small one. He has the natural cowboy swagger (does that term work here) to make his performance work.
And we can all bow to the glorious Francis McDormand, who makes the most (and I mean THE MOST) of a beautifully fleshed out cameo.
So, I promise you, `Lone Star' is all the movie you need. If you haven't seen this brilliant film I urge you to seek it out as soon as possible. With the dirt covered grunge of a western, this crisply tailored exploration of humanity exceeds expectations and remains on of the best films of the 90's; easy.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
stereotypes
Added 8/17/2009
the subject matter of this film is serious, it deals with race, murder and nationalism; but the characters in the film are simplistic and caricatured. it's unfortunate. the most upsetting thing for me as a viewer was the portrayal of the caucasian characters. many are shown as racists and neanderthals. it's very much a hollywood film with strong left leanings that make it difficult for anyone without similar views to enjoy.
1 out of 4 people found this helpful.
|
The Peyton Plaza Movie
Added 8/12/2009
The film opens with a view of a desert and cactus. Two men find a skeleton in a shallow grave. The sheriff arrives to take charge. Men hang out in the street (unemployed due to illegal immigrants?). There is talk in the restaurant among elder men about events from long ago. Did the old Sheriff take too much? [Is this scene believable?] Next an army officer talks to his men about the closure of the post. Next there is big trouble in a bar. The next scene shows an argument in a schoolroom about the teaching of history. [Is it believable?] A boy is in trouble after helping a friend. Three army men are exercising in the dry country. The Medical Examiner inspects the bones. No sign of trauma. Its Charlie Wade because of the badge.
A school class is taught about the history of the early 19th century. Is it cut and dried? Sheriff Sam Dees investigates the found skeleton. [Why does this Sheriff travel unarmed? Realism or idealism?] They tell something about small town life in the past. Is it still true? Are there payoffs other than in cash for political support? Can zoning make fortunes for the politically connected? There is talk in a restaurant between a mother and daughter. Are things changing in town? Will the Army post be turned into a jail or a mall? Are there many fights in a bar where young men blow off steam? Will the town build a new jail to benefit contractors with political connections? The people talk about their life. The Sheriff checks out old records. "It's a complicated issue." The Sheriff learns about past history. [The film has been dragging for a while.]
The Sheriff talks to an old girlfriend about why he came back. The old jukebox plays an old song. They become friendlier. The girl mentions her father's name. [Were you surprised?] We learn a little history about the Seminoles and the Black Indians. The Sheriff has an idea about solving the old murder. One Army private may get an Article 15. Or would that reflect on the command? [Does the film drag?] The Sheriff visits his ex-wife. Is she on her meds? The last scene provides a solution to the murder. [I found it unbelievable.] Will it remain officially unsolved? "Goodnight fellas." There is another shocking surprise to this story. The film ends with a yodeling song. [Was this brought to Texas by the German immigrants of the 19th century?]
This story is partly unbelievable and surprising, slow and weird. Even if individual stories reflect reality. It is rich in personal characters but has a poor storyline. John Sayles may need a new line of work or a better writer. Were the actors wasted in this film? Does it remind you of the 50-year old Peyton Place movie, which was also about local politics?
1 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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