Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert praised this 1996 contemporary western. As someone who loves going back and seeing movies from decades past, I was not disappointed in watching "Lone Star." This is just about perfect and an easy recommendation.
The more a movie has going for it, the easier it is to review. "Lone Star" consists of several genres all juggled surprisingly well: western, mystery, romance, and drama. It also juggles its many themes well too: legacy, father & son, and race relations. Quite often, the more that try to get undertaken, the harder they fall. The genres and themes are done well here.
Chris Cooper is an underrated actor. He won an Oscar for the 2002 film, "Adaptation" but still remains enigmatic. He plays Sam Deeds, the sheriff in a small Texas town. His father was a well-respected lawman (Matthew McConaughey) who Sam did not along with growing up and eventually moved away when he was old enough. He eventually moves back as a middle-aged man where he is elected sheriff, mainly because he is still living in his father's shadow. When a skeleton is found in the desert, Sam suspects it is Charlie Wade--the sheriff when his dad was young. Evidence may agree with his suspicions. As he investigates, Sam digs up secrets that will change him forever.
There is a subplot involving Sam's old girlfriend, Pilar (Elizabeth Peña) who is now a high school social studies teacher. It is also where most of the race stuff is placed. With romance as the subplot, I was surprised at how well this worked. There is also an army subplot that was also interesting, but not needed. So what? It was still very enjoyable and mirrored the main story with Sam and his father. Ron Canada and Joe Morton play the father and son in a rewarding storyline.
Kris Kristofferson plays Charlie Wade. He is a brutal racist who is above the law. Sam thinks it was his father who killed Wade since he had a very good reason to. Kristofferson is the antagonist, but he is much-too interesting to turn away from or to be appalled by. Perfect casting.
"Lone Star" was made by John Sayles. Never heard of him? Me either. That's really too bad because this should have been his breakout film. The directing of this is almost as amazing as the casting. Would this have been better if handled by Robert Altman? Sure, as he handled multiple stories and characters like nobody else. But what we get is still a wonderful experience. I adore this film and do think this is the best contemporary western.
4/4.
The more a movie has going for it, the easier it is to review. "Lone Star" consists of several genres all juggled surprisingly well: western, mystery, romance, and drama. It also juggles its many themes well too: legacy, father & son, and race relations. Quite often, the more that try to get undertaken, the harder they fall. The genres and themes are done well here.
Chris Cooper is an underrated actor. He won an Oscar for the 2002 film, "Adaptation" but still remains enigmatic. He plays Sam Deeds, the sheriff in a small Texas town. His father was a well-respected lawman (Matthew McConaughey) who Sam did not along with growing up and eventually moved away when he was old enough. He eventually moves back as a middle-aged man where he is elected sheriff, mainly because he is still living in his father's shadow. When a skeleton is found in the desert, Sam suspects it is Charlie Wade--the sheriff when his dad was young. Evidence may agree with his suspicions. As he investigates, Sam digs up secrets that will change him forever.
There is a subplot involving Sam's old girlfriend, Pilar (Elizabeth Peña) who is now a high school social studies teacher. It is also where most of the race stuff is placed. With romance as the subplot, I was surprised at how well this worked. There is also an army subplot that was also interesting, but not needed. So what? It was still very enjoyable and mirrored the main story with Sam and his father. Ron Canada and Joe Morton play the father and son in a rewarding storyline.
Kris Kristofferson plays Charlie Wade. He is a brutal racist who is above the law. Sam thinks it was his father who killed Wade since he had a very good reason to. Kristofferson is the antagonist, but he is much-too interesting to turn away from or to be appalled by. Perfect casting.
"Lone Star" was made by John Sayles. Never heard of him? Me either. That's really too bad because this should have been his breakout film. The directing of this is almost as amazing as the casting. Would this have been better if handled by Robert Altman? Sure, as he handled multiple stories and characters like nobody else. But what we get is still a wonderful experience. I adore this film and do think this is the best contemporary western.
4/4.