"Lone Star"

United States, 1996
U.S. Release Date: Summer 1996 (limited)
Running Length: 2:15
MPAA Classification: R

Cast: Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Pena, Joe Morton, Ron Canada, Miriam Colon, Clifton James, Kris Kristofferson, Matthew McConaughey
Director: John Sayles
Producers: R. Paul Miller and Maggie Renzi
Screenplay: John Sayles
Cinematography: Stuart Dryburgh

I work at as a bartender when I’m not in class, and the other weekend I was slingin’ some drinks and I had a guy asking me what movies I write about for my blog. Luckily, he was able to give me a lead on yet another border movie to watch. He suggested Lone Star.

I thought that this was a very entertaining movie. However, it’s one that you really need to be in the mood for. I have officially been able to escape from the high profile to something that contains some lower-profile names. Well I guess Matthew McConaughey is now a high-profile name; but, in 1996 when this movie released he was still on the rise. It was nice to watch a flick that was totally different from the ones I have blogged about thus far.

Each of the characters played their roles well. Sheriff Charlie Wade (Kris Kristofferson) executes his role as the villain well – even though he doesn’t have a whole lot of screen time. The views of the two men are memorable and people speak very differently about their character. “Sheriff Buddy kept to his word. That Sheriff Wade, though, he could get ugly.”

It seems that everyone in the community is crazy about Sam Deed’s (Chris Cooper) father, Buddy Deeds (Matthew McConaughey)– however, Sam believes that he was not the “local hero” everyone remembers. However, Sam is popular within the community due to his last name, not his own accomplishments.

In 1996, Sheriff Wade’s bones show up in Rio County, and Sheriff Sam Deeds is out to find out who killed him and why. On the side he has to deal with an old flame with his childhood love – who he never let go – Pilar Cruz (Elizabeth Peña). Pilar is a teacher who tends to go against the grain when it comes to Anglo-approved teaching. She goes back and forth with her feelings for Sam and battles with her rebellious teenage son.

The story plays out seamlessly, as the view is transported between the past stories and present with one clean swoop – and, there are no voiceovers. John Sayles uses creative styles to make these transitions evident and enjoyable.

The film looks at all the different cultures of Rio County and how they are all able to help and hinder one another. Sayles was able to keep the mystery and romance subtle, but never lost sight of either. I thought that this movie was very engaging but not over the top. Lone Star is very clean, classic film.

Personal Rating: 4 out of 5

Further information can be found at iMDB.com