Lone Star | Stephen J. Lang, Chris Cooper

Lone Star | Stephen J. Lang, Chris Cooper | This is one of those Rare Gems!

DVDs:

Lone Star

	Lone Star Stephen J. Lang, Chris Cooper Turner Home Ent, 1999 average customer review:based on 78 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Real Rio County

Charlie Wade (Kris Kristofferson) was a corrupt, evil Sheriff of Rio County, Texas in the 1950s. When he disappears one night, along with $10,000, the community is only too happy to accept his Deputy Buddy Deeds (Matthew McConaughey) as the new Sheriff. Buddy is a legend. Almost the entire community loved, and still reveres, Buddy Deeds. While Charlie Wade antagonized the black and Mexican members of the County, Buddy Deeds kept peace and harmony.
Years later, when Charlie Wade's long-dead body is found in the desert,the new Sheriff, Buddy's son Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper), must find out what happened.
While Sam Deeds is trying to solve the old crime, he is also trying to come to terms with his father's legacy and reunite with his old girlfriend Pilar Cruz (Elizabeth Pena).
Director John Sayles intertwines the stories of the Cruz family, the Deeds family and the Payne family.
The very interesting thing about this movie is that most of the problems revolve around fathers. Pilar Cruz, Sam Deeds and Delmore Payne's (Joe Morton)lives are all very much influenced by how they perceive their fathers.
Sayles uses music and flashbacks to enhance and explain the story, and he uses them both extremely well. He uses the music to set the scene, and it is never overbearing.
All of the acting is terrific, especially Joe Morton as Delmore Payne. An incredibly important part of the movie is the location. Very close to the border, Rio is home to many different cultures. Sometimes these cultures do not co-exist peacefully. This was especially a problem during Charlie Wade's time as Sheriff. There is conflict in the schools about the teachers teaching Texas history from the Mexican perspective, and there is only one bar in town for the black residents to visit.
John Sayles does a fantastic job of creating a believable, entertaining, interesting and easy to follow story.

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This is one of those Rare Gems!

A very well done and highly under-rated mystery and drama. Kris Kristofferson plays Sheriff Buddy Deeds, ruler of a small Texas border town. A crooked, racist man, whose exploits are uncovered again and delved into some 40 years later, when his son and the current sheriff; Sam Deeds, played by Chris Cooper (of Lonesome Dove fame) comes across a badge and some bones in the desert with the help of some off-duty soldiers, out treasure hunting. Very fine acting and excellent character studies by all, including Elizabeth Pena, Matthew Mconaughey, and Frances McDormand (Fargo).

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Some Twists and Turns in the Desert

Almost anything said about the plot of this movie would ruin the experience for anyone who hasn't already seen it, but anyone who likes a great ride at the fair will love it. I mean, right out of the shute, imagine Kris Kristofferson as one seriously bad S.O.B. and then imagine that he pulls it off beautifully. Riding the razor edge of almost but just not quite overplaying it, he winds up being perfect. The rest of the cast is made up of (aside from Matthew McConaughey, who actually made this movie just prior to his breakout) good character actors, people you've seen in any number of movies but who's names just won't come to your lips. But, to be honest, the scene seques are the real treat of this movie, which, again, to explain would ruin the effect of. All in all, a really satisfying film and, for the real videophile, a must see and, no doubt, must have movie.

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Lone Star Perspective

Edgar Allen Poe once said, "all that we see or seem is nothing but a dream within a dream". This principle applies to the citizens of Rio County, Texas of the movie Lone Star. Everything that the characters hold true is really just part of another truth.
Each character must face everything all that they "see or seem" when the skeleton of former county sheriff, Charley Wade, is unearthed. Present sheriff Sam Deeds sets out the mission to find out what the truth is behind a local legend. Sam's father Buddy Deeds, Rio County hero, is the main suspect. The investigation into the past affects the future of many citizen. Pilar, Sam's high school sweetheart, who wants to reconnect with Sam. Her mother Merceedes, who is prejudice against her own heritage. Otis and Mayor Hollis who would prefer to keep the legend alive, and forget the past.
The small town culture lends to the intertwining storylines. Cultural and racial divisions cause Rio County citizens to coexist with an underlying tension. Their viewpoints on what happened in the past affects their present day lives. Also, the races divide: Otis's bar is a "haven" for the African-Americans, Hispancis battle with whites over the majority rule. All groups coexist under the small town politics. This is most evident in the Marshall law of Charley Wade and Buddy Deeds favor system. In the end, what the audience, and the characters, are led to believe is true, is shown to be another, convoluted reality affecting their relationships.

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Fiction or Non-Niction? THAT is the question!

Lone Star appears on the surface to depict your typical murder mystery, but if you "dig" a little deeper, there's more to it than that. There is an underlying theme in that everyone,no matter your race, sex, or color, is all somehow related. It's all about a common ground and how "family" is not restricted to blood relatives. (Although sometimes it is, even when you least expect it.) This movie is also clever to point out that many people continue to live lives filled with lies rather than give up the comfort and security in finding out the facts. The evidence for this movie is found in reality. Pay close attention to the many symbols, from "Charlie," to "Buddy Deeds," to a flag or even a Colt 45. These symbols give meaning to give people interaction. Also, keep track of names or you will get " buried" too. And, "Remember the Alamo!"

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