If you've ever gone to the movies with a partner or a friend, and go alot, you can develop quite a bit of physical shorthand in the theater. It enables you to keep quiet and still say something to each other. My wife and I had already developed a bunch of this stuff while watching movies.

One of those things was, we'd press each others hands and turn and give each other a little look that essentially meant; "oh boy; this is fantastic; I sure hope they don't screw it up". Usually this comes about a third of the way in, somewhere around there.

This is one of those films where I distinctly remember that little moment between us. And I've always remembered this film; not only did the director NOT screw it up, he created a huge story that built to a very powerful climax.

It's been 30 years I guess since I've truly watched this again from beginning to end.

This film is marvelous. Watching it unspool, it just feels like brilliant little miracle. Leisurely, confidently paced by Sayles. It's one of those times where a masterful screenplay hooks up with a group of unforgettable performances. And then boom, you have the magic trick of making a great film.

Needless to say: watch it. Especially if you haven't seen it; give it a shot. Go in and give it the time it needs to breathe a little; the various story threads will crazily come together at the end and will leave you breathless if you're of a mind. It's a diamond mine of ideas about culture and personality clashes. It makes my head spin. So good.

The one other thing that must be said; the two leads are a couple of all timer performances. I mean epic. Elizabeth Pena is something else here. I mean she's classic here. Smart, beautiful, wounded, angry. Wow. And Chris Cooper; this is his film. he's in just about all of it, and he's the Jake Gitties of South Texas in this. A cynical dude that many think is a bastard that's disappeared in his dad's shadow. But no. He goes his own damn way. It's a special piece of work.

Like Joliet Jake says in the Blues Brothers, when they're crashing their car through that shopping mall: "this place has got everything". This movie's got everything.

PS: I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mr. Kristofferson once. It was in a line at DFW, we were coming back from a vacation in Mexico. We'd just seen this movie only 6 months or so before. I couldn't believe my good fortune; I turn around, and he's standing right behind me, believe it or not! I looked over at my wife and she gives me the visual nudge. So I turned around and said hi and told him I'd just seen him in this film and thought he was about the meanest SOB I'd ever seen, and it got a laugh out of him. And i ended up getting to spend about 10 minutes talking the shit with Kris Kristofferson. And I'll always remember that he turned me on to the writing of John Sayles. He pointed me at a couple novels Sayles had written, that I eventually read and enjoyed very much. The guy was great with me, and I'll always be thankful for it. He sure loved Mr. Sayles; he told me he thought John Sayles was one of the greatest film artists ever.

submitted by /u/Goodvibe61
[link] [comments]

Menu

I hadn't watched Lone Star since it was in theaters. 30 years until tonight. WOW.